Blue Sky Trail...looking south towards Coyote Ridge
Fickle is the way I would describe yesterday's weather. As if the heavens were never quite satisfied with the climate options. Switching back and forth from sun to dark clouds, then sun and snow to dark clouds and snow. Wind! Now this was something the celestial sphere could agree upon. According to the vault of heaven, wind went with everything today. And I'm not talking about a cool, refreshing breeze with a puff here or a waft there. I'm talking about the kind of wind that will blast you off your feet mid-stride...the kind of wind that makes you curl into a fetal position while on your feet in hopes that there will be less resistance to the gale of a head wind...the kind of wind that has you pitying the crows as they attempt to fly north into the gusts, only to hover as they desperately beat their wings. I felt like the crows as Mindy and I finished our loop at Devil's Backbone and began our return trip north...8 miles to go...head on into the brunt of the tempest.
Mindy & Ean...where Blue Sky meets Devil's Backbone
The wind was obliging enough to push us south 8 miles to the Laughing Horse Loop above Devil's Backbone. Mindy and I were glad to get some red rock running practice for our races in Moab next month. Mindy will run the Red Hot 55K and I will run the Red Hot 33K.
Mindy...patiently doubling back to check on me
It's always nice to find a running partner that makes me feel comfortable enough to run at my own pace and not feel pressured. Up until today, the only other person who makes me feel this way is Alex. Alex always tells me how much he enjoys running with me...even though he is twice as fast as me. Some days he will run with me the whole time and other days he will run ahead and double back to check on me. Mindy was so kind and cheerful the whole run...even though she could have run much faster. Mindy continually expressed how she was glad to be getting in the hours and not worrying about the distance. I was able to truly enjoy my running and be in the moment instead of worrying about holding anyone back.
Only a couple miles left in this 16 mile run
My legs felt like they were full of lactic acid and no spring left in them by the end. I found that eating a bagel doesn't really give me enough fast energy during such a long run. I was glad I had stashed a Gu in my pack, which I needed to get me back to the car. Vanilla Bean never tasted so good.
I love how running brings people together. Mindy and I met a few weeks ago at the Beer Mile, yet really didn't know much about each other until today. You don't get to know someone as quickly and deeply as you do when you bare your spirit, soul, quirks, smells, etc, on a long run. When you spend 4 hours with someone else beating your bodies to get stronger for various goals and aspirations, you create a uniquely intimate bond.
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