Desert Dust

          I never knew what the desert sun felt like until I stepped out of the air conditioned van in Moab, Utah with my group of friends and felt it firsthand.  Standing outside of Poison Spider Bicycles with my rented bike and a hydration bladder full of the finest well water west of the Mississippi, I was ready to explore the slick rock across the Colorado River and past Arches National Park.  We arrived at M.O.A.B. Brand Trails and rode the red sand and slick rock double and single-track trails for the next couple hours.  After having a sandwich out of the van a few of us settled on riding the Old Highway blacktop back to Moab.  The majority of the ride was downhill which was totally alright with us as the warm wind flapped my shirt, making a loud whipping noise that only the lizards and I could hear.  Once back in Moab we dropped the bikes off and thanked the staff at PSB for their services and friendliness in allowing us to have an unforgettable experience mountain biking through Abbey's country.  Until next time, I will reminisce on the culture and lifestyles of the wild, wild west.

Lattice Bridge Loop

Mon-AM: 1:03, 1316’ ~ Lattice Bridge Loop

(1,191’)

            After a night of tossing and turning, I was abruptly woken by the repetitive buzz of my alarm.  Austin and I began our run on Route 19 to a bright pink sky.  The sunrise was at our front while we scorched out 6:00 miles.  We crossed Lattice Bridge and watched the beaver swim up river in the direction that we were headed.  Around the 4 mile mark was a spring where we cooled off and drank.  The water was cool and quenched our thirst.  We were ready for the next 5 miles.  We attempted a few different paces but decided that we felt as good as we could feel around a 6:40 pace until the last two miles where we tested our turnover and ran all out to the Welcome to Houghton sign.  As we entered the college we noticed a sprinkler and without any communication, we ran through it.  Austin impressively knocked out a 5:00 last mile.  Breakfast tasted wonderful. 

Sunny Hill Down And Back

Mon-PM: 2:06, 1611’ ~ Sunny Hill Down And Back

(2,228’)

           

            After stepping out the door at 1:00 I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into, which was probably a good thing.  The route was a down and back, with 1,893’ of climbing.  I was quite familiar with the first 4.5 miles but the next 2.5 miles were foreign to me as I had never before ran them.  The climb up Messer Hill, or better-known Sunny Hill wasn’t as difficult as I imagined it would be.  Whether this is due to my experience with the Rockies or just a surprise in my fitness.  With the hardest part of the run over, I caught my breath at the campgrounds, downed a gel and a bottle of water, said my so-longs to a friend and was on my way back to the cabin in the woods where I belonged.  Near mile 11 I began to feel some chaffing around my inner thigh, which wasn’t surprising by any means.  I had my mind set on not stopping until I was in my driveway or I was belly-up in a ditch with the crows soaring above me.  Luckily it was the former and I trudged down the driveway and into the frigid cabin.  Overall I felt the run to be a success and the 14.5 miles that came with it were forgiving in their nature.  Now I just pray that the God’s will be easy on me tomorrow.