After training for the 16.4 mile Antelope Island Trail Run at the end of March, I felt I was in a good place to keep up the mileage and run the Coldwater Traverse 11 mile trail run last weekend.

Last year, due to the record snowpack, they had to alter the course which made the first four miles basically flat/downhill. This year they were able to route back to the normal trail which is a very steep uphill for almost that entire four miles.  The weather called for pouring rain most of morning which I was prepared for but not excited about. Proving once again that forecasting weather on the Wasatch Front is really a guess, it turned out to be a perfect day – upper 40’s, overcast, and only a few sprinkles at the end …

Although the course this year had over 1200′ more elevation gain than last year’s reroute, I was only five minutes slower. I was very pleased with myself! Placed “midpack” for the age group. What was really crazy was that a  woman in my age group placed 6th overall out of almost 90 runners. She was 50 minutes faster than me! Not that I would ever need to be that fast, but maybe I should look her up and get a few pointers!

I always try to pick up litter when hiking or trail running, within reason of course – no Kleenex, toilet paper, single socks, etc. I found this gem on the trail run. Take a look at this and let me know if you think you can identify it!