Weekend Report....Snow running!

Gateway to trail running heaven.

Hope you like switchbacks to start your morning!

Patagonia and Steamboat ditch (Tom Cooke) trail has been a staple of my running diet for years.  And since backcountry skiing was off the table with this storm and some ridiculously high avalanche danger....running was my next best choice.  This is what it looked like around 9 am Saturday....apparently it is a darn popular option on a snowy bluebird morning!

The key to running in 6-8 inches of wet snow?   Waterproof socks!  If you run, ride, or just generally like being outdoors regardless of the weather a good pair of Showerpass waterproof socks will make your life a little bit better.  I discovered them (not shockingly) while riding in Eugene, where rain and wet is a daily part of commuting....but they will get plenty of use in conditions like these!

They proved equally as useful for a Sunday morning follow up run at Hidden Valley Park.  While I've know about these trails for years, I rarely used them.  So if you're looking for some new terrain for mountain biking or running do some homework on Hidden Valley.  I'm sure I'll post more since I'm living here now....but there are a ton of great options. 

Hope everyone had as much fun in the snow this weekend as I did!

Ultrarunning...not biking but really cool!

Yep, It's not always about biking.  Sometimes running is part of the game.  Tonight at UNR there is a screening of Run Free - The Story of Caballo Blanco.  You might even have read the book, Born to Run.  Anyway, It's sure to be a good show so come down to the student union and join in.  7pm tonight...tickets are $12 online or $15 at the door.

Check out the full page here:

http://www.runfreemovie.com/

A 24 Hour Trifecta!

Now normally a trifecta this time of year should include skiing (especially when we finally have some snow)....but you take what you can get.  Instead my latest attempt included lunch time kayaking at the Rock Park Whitewater Park, a trail run this morning, and the morning bike ride.  Nothing spectacular, but I'm counting it!

Yeah...pulled out the kayaking gear.  It's been a while.  Found out that neck gaskets disintegrate in Reno.  Definitely got some cold water down the back!

How do you not go kayaking when the flows pop above 2000!!  Sorry...this is the best I can do...didn't bring a camera.

The dog got me up at 4am this morning.  Couldn't go back to sleep.  Might as well run in the dark on icy single track!  Also...it wasn't a 60.2 avg. temp (more like 28)....gps just lives in my pocket

And the obligatory ride to work completes the trifecta.

Finally....a St. Georege report.

Over Christmas, wifey and I met up with my folks in St. George, Utah.  I think this is our third trip there but the last one was more than 5 years ago, so it was definitely time.  If you've never been to the area here are a few things you should know.

One.  It's south of here so normally it's pretty warm and inviting.

Two.

It is home to Snow Canyon State Park.....and beautiful red rocks with tons of running trails, climbing, mountain biking, etc.  Basically, an outdoor playground.

Three.

They deck the place out with lights for Xmas....so it's fun to hang out.

Four.

It's only an hour to Zion National Park....and the Narrows (and many other trails)....which make great trail runs.

Even when they are frozen solid and completely treacherous.  

Hidden Canyon Trail was supper slippery.

You can find the ice covered trail below if you look....

The view from the top was worth it!

Five.

Despite the rumors....there is beer in Utah.  Ummm....well, yeah it is 3.2% unless you can find some bottled versions.  However, in general this can be solved by driving down with a large cooler!

Six.

Mountain biking is just as good as it is in Moab!  Ok, on most trails most of the time.  We did happen to be there after some pretty big snow....so the trails were a bit wet in some of the classic riding areas.  This didn't mean I didn't have good rides.....just that I didn't take enough pictures.

Here's some of the messy ones....which were still totally fun!

Seven.

More great hiking/running to petroglyphs!  No fences or anything...you can just walk around in them.

Eight.

Quality time with the family over the holidays!

So that was St. George in a nut shell.  So if you need a vacation destination for all your family, trail running, and biking needs you definitely should add it to your to do list!