2018 Jordan River 5K Race Recap - Murray, UT

Official Time: 23:42
Placement: 2nd in the 45 - 49 age division, 9th overall
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: low 70's, 10 mph wind from south / south west
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First year

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:49	Off to a real solid start.
2	8:45	What happened here, I don't know, but felt like I was dying
2.86	7:13	Dragged myself to the finish (about an 8:28 pace)
	Total Miles: 2.86 - 23:49

Introduction

I was looking for a race to do the other day and decided I'd do the Jordan River 5K.  They had a half marathon for the race and normally I'd do that, but lately I've been focusing on 5Ks to focus in on my speed.  Also, the half marathon is on a course that I normally run a lot.  So paying for 13 miles on something that I normally run on any given weekend just didn't hold any appeal to me.

The race is about 2 miles from my house and I knew the 5K course like the back of my hand.  So I figured why not...  It'll be good to get a little bit of speed work in and support a locally run race.

The Race

I got to the race site about 40 minutes early.  I knew it was going to be a lightly attended from what I was gathering on Facebook.  I grabbed my bib, socialized a bit and then warmed up for a bit.

The half marathon had started at 8 and the 5K started at 9.  When we started to assemble near the starting line I found myself standing with about 50 - 60 other runners.

The race started on time and before I knew it, I was on my familiar route: the Jordan River Bike Trail.  The race started at Millrace park and proceeded north to Arrowhead Park, on the edge of Taylorsville.

I figured the course was going to be a bit short from the get go.  I've used my Garmin so many times on the route that I knew from where the race started to the point where we turned around, it was only about 1.40 miles.  Sure enough I was pretty much correct.

The first half a dozen runners took off.  When I was looking at the competition at the start I figured they'd be leading the race and they left me in the dust after about half a mile.  I was chasing after the 3rd place girl.  I looked behind me and no one was behind me. 

The first mile went by quick. When my watched buzzed at what I expected to be the first mile, I was happy to see a 7:49.  I was pretty happy with that but I knew I was fading fast. 

After about 1.25 miles the route went on to a fiberglass type of suspension bridge.  This was kind of slippery and there were some leaves on it.  Normally I am not running that quickly on the zig-zaggy bridge and there were a few tense moments on it. 

The turn-around was right where I hoped it would be.  There is a tiny looped-park at Arrowhead park and I grabbed a sip of water from the aid station and followed the loop back.

The 3rd place girl was long gone and when I was coming back the nearest male was probably a minute behind me.

I let off the gas a bit.  My place was sort of solidified at that point and to be honest I didn't have a lot left.  I wasn't not surprised to see an 8:45 second mile.  It made me upset a bit that my half marathon pace was now my mid 5K pace.  But I was running into a bit of a head wind and to be honest I was hurting pretty bad.

Once I got within a half mile of the finish I looked behind me and the guy who was chasing me down was now gaining on me.  He looked to have been my age and they were giving away a free entry into next year's race if you won your age group (outright).  I really tried to dig deep here but I was feeling like I really had expended myself.

Luckily, the last .1 of a mile or so I managed to really push it and I outgunned him.  I think if there were another quarter or half a mile he would've easily overtaken me.  Definitely glad I hadn't run the half today -- I just didn't have it.

Conclusion

After finishing I walked off the nauseous feeling I had.  They were handing out pretty sweet medals for a simple 5K.  I think originally there was going to be a full marathon here and with race attendance down, this race was pretty much a fire sale.

I walked back to my car to get some drink and that is when the dry heaving came on.  I am not sure what it is but it could be allergies or milk issue or something, but my throat gets clogged sometimes and it creates a gagging sensation.  I managed to get to a drinking fountain to help clear my throat but it was an uneasy few minutes.

The race didn't have a t-shirt.  You did get a pair of socks (or two) which were actually pretty nice.  I also grabbed another hat.  Never can have enough of those.  Age group awards (which I got second in mine) netted me an additional pair of socks. 

They had water, bananas and ice cream sandwiches at the end....

I paid $20 for this race, thanks to a discount code, the week of the race.  For a 5K that is a bargain and I was happy with my experience.  I would like to see the distance on the course fixed though.

The course was well marked as well. So even if I didn't know the route, I wouldn't have had any problems.

They plan to have this race again next year and I should be able to do it in some capacity.

Lamoille Canyon to Favre Lake Hike - Lamoille, NV

Introduction

Last weekend I had a chance to really hike the back country of Lamoille Canyon.  I really enjoy this canyon and ANY opportunity I get to explore it, I'll take it.

Lamoille Canyon is a hidden gem about 25 minutes south of Elko, NV in a little village called Spring Creek / Lamoille.  There is a paved road that winds its way up about 12 miles from the start (at an elevation of just over 5000) to the top at an elevation of nearly 9000 feet.

There are a few trails along the way but the best ones are at the top.  There is ample parking here and it has been the home of many of my favorite hikes and races (including the Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon).  Faithful readers may also recall that I ran the Ruby Mountain Relay Race here a few weeks ago as well.

After running the race I made it a personal goal of mine to crest the Liberty Pass trail and proceed to at least Favre Lake.  There has been countless times where I have studied Google Maps and plotted out exactly what was out there.

The Hike

First off the hike to Favre Lake is pretty well defined.  There is a trail at south end of the road that takes you to Liberty Pass.  From there take the Ruby Crest Trail and look for signs to Favre Lake.  Incidentally, Favre Lake is NOT named after the football player, but apparently a forestry service guy who did work in the area.

I started off just after 10 AM and the weather was cool.  There were some angry clouds in the sky but there weren't any predictions of rain at all.  In fact, this summer has been very dry.

I had just run the first half of my route 3 weeks ago, so it was fresh in my mind.  (You can follow along with my Garmin Route here).  As I huffed and puffed my up I kept asking myself how the heck did I run up this thing?

The first stop along the way was Dollar Lake(s) and Lamoille Lake.  I've seen these lakes a few times but they were super pretty with the mid-September changing of colors.

Dollar Lake

Dollar Lake

Dollar Lake

Lake Lamoille

I was making good progress at about 22-ish minutes per mile.  The wind really picked up as I made my ascent up Liberty Pass.  I was lugging a ton of water as well, which I didn't need.  The forestry department was also working on the trails so I had some company out there, but definitely not as many as you might guess.

It gets a lot rockier.  As you can see it was starting to get a little windy and foggy up there with a passing rain cloud (it didn't rain much).

Once you make it to the top you are greeted by Liberty Lake.  About 90% of the hikers hit this lake and return.  At this point you've gone close to 3.5 miles and are at an elevation of 10,750 or so.

You can see Wines Peek in the distance as well as Castle and Favre Lake if  you look close enough at my photos.

I wound up taking a trail that was probably the most direct way to Favre Lake.  However, it sort of petered out and I really couldn't make out where it went.  Luckily the brush was low and I could march down the side of the hill.  I still didn't feel very comfortable doing what I was doing though.  I prefer to stay on the trail on all times -- that way if I split my head open someone will find me.

Also at this point, everyone disappeared.  I saw some people camping / fishing at Liberty and an elderly couple making their way up, but for the next hour I didn't see another soul.

Eventually I did come across a trail that took me to the shoreline of Favre Lake.  I can't say how awesome it was to reach its waters.  I have been studying and looking at it for ages and I was finally here:

Favre Lake

Favre Lake

Favre Lake

Favre Lake

I was pretty close to Castle Lake but I was already in with my allotted time and there is absolutely no cell reception out there.  I was also pretty gassed.  I had 5 miles in (at least) and I had at least another 5 to go to get back to my car.

I decided to poke around the valley and grab some more pictures of the area.  The Ruby Crest Trail goes for another 10 - 20 miles I think so there are endless adventures to have.

After poking around for a bit I decided to head back.  The wind was roaring through the canyon.  It even blew my sunglasses off my head and I didn't realize it (good-bye $100 pair of sunglasses).

Once I got back up to Liberty Pass it started to rain a little.  With the storm cloud coming in I was really worried about getting hammered by the weather.  I had a light jacket in my backpack and while many other folks were bundled up, I was dressed like I was running on a 90 degree day.

I wound up dumping some water to lighten my back and started to jog down the Stockman Trail, which is about half a mile shorter to the road's end.  I had just run that stretch at the relay and it is far less steep but less scenic than the way I had come up.

All told, it took me about 4 hours to do the hike.  I spent some time by the shore of Favre Lake, but for the most part I was moving almost all the time.

I definitely want to visit Castle Lake in the future, but I'd like to do it with someone or make sure people know I am going to be gone for a bit.

I love this canyon and look forward to hiking it again.

Lake Winchell Trail - Wells, NV

Lake Winchell

Introduction

Back in 2016 I hiked the Winchell Lake trail.  This trail is located about 10 miles up the Angel Lake road just outside of Wells, NV.  In short, it is close to 3 hours outside of Salt Lake City.

I was heading towards Elko for a weekend of hiking (from West Wendover) and decided to swing by.  This trail isn't used much and even the sign for it is in need of repair.  That being said though, the trail is well-defined and easy to navigate.  There are some rolling hills but nothing major.

The payoff on this hike is Lake Winchell, a small mountain lake about 3.5 miles from the trailhead.  Apparently it was named after a rancher in the area.  Along the way you will have to cross a stream or two (in September they were hardly more than a trickle) and you'll be treated to some awesome views of Chimney Rock and the Ruby Mountains towering above you and the Wells valley below.  Also at this time of year a shrub was emitting a wonderful scent that was reminiscent of Juicy Fruit Gum -- it just smelled fruity and was super pleasant.  I've only smelled that a few times in Alta canyon in Utah.

You can follow my routes here: Going there and back.

I made the trip each way in a little over an hour.  I only saw one other person on the trail.  In fact, this isn't a very popular trail at all as last time I hiked this, I didn't see another soul.

Enjoy the photos: