Rob's Running Blog

10 miles up/down Smithfield Canyon just before dusk.  Back is feeling a little better.  Still can't bend over at all--barely can get my hands past my knees.  7:21/mile AP.

10 miles up and down Smithfield Canyon (this is beginning to sound like a broken record) :-)

 Slowed down a bunch the last mile.  7:34/mile AP.

16.1 nice slow "tapering" miles two weeks before the next marathon.  My back has been bothering me a bit...slowed way down the last mile. 7:54/mile AP.

8 miles in Smithfield Canyon.  Felt good.  7:20/mile AP. 

The great thing about about this run is the hills.  The first mile you loose about 200 feet.  Then climb about 400 feet over the next three miles (partially up Smithfield Canyon) to mile four, then run back the same way (down 400 feet, then finish off with the 200 feet climb).

8 miles in North Logan.  7:19/mile AP.  Gradual gain of about 325 feet to mile 3, leveling off for another mile, then turn around and run back...  good run.

8 miles in North Logan.  Pretty much the same as yesterday.  Started out real slow and slowly sped up each mile.  7:30/mile AP.

8.25 miles from Smithfield to the Sports Academy.  6:55/mile AP.

3 miles at noon in North Logan.  Nice, slow, and easy 7:55/mile AP.

6 miles during lunch in North Logan.  Tried a few different paces during the run during some slower 800 meter strides.  7:30/mile AP.

Two easy/slow miles in North Logan - 7:50/mile...

This was the 2nd annual Huff to Bluff Marathon, from Blanding to Bluff, Utah.  Great marathon. It was good to be back in my hometown where I grew up.

 Everyone from the race director (Ryan Heck) to the volunteers did an outstanding job.  The marathon is a small one, (only 105 registered runners), but a huge amount of effort has been put into it.  It is a USATF certified course and a Boston qualifier, had great aid stations, etc.

I picked up my packet the night before.  All runners (not just elites) could submit their own fluids/Gu, etc., to be given them at the aid stations at mile 9 and 17.  I put in a Gatorade and a water bottle.

Saturday morning my Dad drove me down to the start, and we visited with a few folks before the run.

The first half is a gentle downhill course, dropping around 800 feet.  There are a few rollers, but nothing really big.  I didn’t really push it too hard, mostly ran alone, and reached the first half right around 1:30.

The second half also has a net loss of about 800 feet, but is a little interesting,  Just after mile 14, you drop off of White Mesa, and run downhill for about a mile, loosing around 300 feet. This was a fun relaxing, faster mile.  Then after mile 15,  there are a series of 4 rollers, climbing about 200 feet until mile 18.25.   I slowed down a bit up the hills.  At mile 19.25 another series of rollers start, and you gain around 80 feet until mile 22, and then you drop down into Bluff. 

 About mile 22 I looked around and couldn't see anyone behind me.  Usually about this time I key off of people to pace with so I can push it a little.  No one was around so I decided to just run in at an easy pace, have fun, and enjoy the sights dropping into the canyon, the sandstone, including the "twins" rock formation, etc.

 To me, overall the course felt similar to the Top of Utah or Ogden marathons in elevation drop and difficulty.  It was as well organized as any marathon I've run.  I didn't push it as hard as I could have, but it was nice afterwards to be able to get out and enjoy the country...

9 miles up and down Smithfield Canyon with Claire.

7 mile at noon in North Logan.  7:21/mile AP

4 miles in North Logan during lunch.  7:40/mile AP.