Our Running with (or from) the Buffalo Adventure- The Practice Run

At last weeks training run, the subject of the Antelope Island Buffalo 25k came up. No one in the group had committed to doing it yet and with registration closing at the end of February, we knew we needed to get on it.

It is an awesome trail race (25k, 50k, 50 miler, 100 miler) on Antelope Island, a beautiful remote island about an hour outside of Salt Lake City and is the home to all kinds of wildlife, the most popular being herds of wild buffalo and antelope.

Last year, Teresa and I did the 25k and Bob B. and Bob K. did the 50k. This is a tough course, but we LOVED it, so the consensus was, LET'S DO IT AGAIN!

Now, if you read my blog post from last year's practice run, you will remember that Teresa and I got lost on the trail and almost ran into a heard of buffalo only to be rescued by a park ranger. While terrifying at the time, it made for a great adventure. Today's run was also quite the adventure.

Teresa, Bob B., Bob K., Skyler, Eric, Jamie, Kathleen and I headed to Antelope Island for another "test run" before the race next month. When we got to the ranger station to pay the fee to get in, Kathleen asked the ranger, "What do we do if we encounter Buffalo on the trail?" In the most nonchalant way the ranger answered, "Run like hell!" Nervous laughter filled the car.

The group on Antelope Island

It was a little cold & windy when we got there, but we quickly warmed up and the wind died down. The first few miles was the toughest as it is all up hill. It wasn't long before the guys split off from Teresa, Kathleen and I. The three of us watched them pull away up the hill and settled in to our pace (which at times was walking the killer hills).

It started to rain a little, but we didn't care. We were having a great time! Antelope Island is beautiful!

 Me on the trail

Kathleen on the trail

Teresa and I on the trail

We got about 4 1/2 miles into our run and we hit a pretty rocky part of the trail. I said "I think we are out of buffalo danger as I think they stay on the flat plains." The trail was pretty rocky, so we were all looking down to avoid tripping on the rocks. We were running on a single track trail, I was in front, followed by Teresa, then Kathleen. Just a few minutes later, we came around a bend on the trail and I just happened to look up. When I did I saw 6 huge buffalo about 100 yards away! If I hadn't looked up, I would have run right into the side of one of them! 

At that point I turned on a dime and quietly said "BUFFALO!" Teresa and Kathleen followed suit and we booked it back down the hill. Kathleen at one point said "Are the following us?", but luckily they weren't. Once we got far enough away, we laughed about it and were pretty thrilled at the fact that we would have another great story to tell the guys! 

The rest of the run could not be more beautiful. The weather was perfect! We were coming up on the fence where we parked when I saw a large brown spot moving near the trail. Yep, another buffalo! We immediately got off the trail and got close to the fence. Luckily by the time we got to the opening the buffalo had wandered off the trail and we made a run for it!

 The buffalo once we go behind the fence!

Teresa at a safe distance from the buffalo! Notice how close he is to the trail?

When the guys got back, we found out that they also ran into the 6 buffalo we saw (Bob B. got video)!

It was an awesome run followed by breakfast at Corner Bakery. Thanks to Kathleen for driving and to Teresa for taking these great photos! I can't wait for the race now! I think I will bring my pepper spray again! Hee Hee!

Galloway 2011 Annual Program Director's Meeting

This weekend, all of the Galloway Program Directors came to Atlanta for our annual meeting. It was my first time at one of these meetings. It was great to meet all of the other PDs and pick their brains on ways to make our program better this year. I am really excited to announce that Jeff Galloway himself will be attending our kickoff this year! Activities will include a book signing at Wasatch Running Center, a running school and information meetings.

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

Jeff Galloway and I

Amby Burfoot- Runner's World writer and Boston Marathon winner. We ran together Saturday morning and talked about all the awesome Utah marathons.

Eric Johnson and I had something in common. We are both PDs and Marathon Maniacs! Eric is also a 50 State finisher!

All the PDs living it up during dinner at the Happy Sumo!

2011 Has Got to Get Better!

I was so optimistic about 2011,  then all hell broke loose! Teresa and I had pretty much locked down a potential 2011 race schedule on January 5th. On January 6th, I got laid off from the job I have been at for the past 3 years. HUGE BUMMER!!

Even worse, on Sunday January 9th, we got news that our dear friend and fellow Maniac, Greg Goebel collapsed while running the Zoom Yah Yah marathon and was rushed to the hospital, where is still remains today. Get well soon my friend, the Maniac world needs you!

2011 has got to get better!

Happy New Year!!

About 50 runners rang in the New Year by running the 1st Annual Utah Marathon Maniacs Half Marathon! The temperature at the start was 4 degrees, but we all had a great time! Thanks to Jonathan Crampton for putting this all together in about 2 weeks!

Utah Maniacs at the start.

The Marathon Show's "Fun Run" Progerssive Saga- Episode 3!

The Marathon Show started a progressive saga to be passed around for other listeners to continue. In Episode #2 Endorphin Dude tells the investigator to come find me! Here is what happened when he did!

To see all the Episodes of "Fun Run", click the title of this post!

My Knitting Turns Maniacal!!

This weekend for the first time in ages, I missed my Saturday run. I can't even think of the last time I missed a weekend run or race. I was really looking forward to it too since we were running in Park City, but the rich food served at David's work Christmas party Friday night played havoc on my stomach on Saturday morning. I was not well.

I woke up early to get ready, but it was not going to happen, so I plopped myself down on the couch, turned on the TV and began to knit. By Sunday night I had finished my own version of a Marathon Maniacs hat!

I figured, if  I can't run, my knitting will at least have a running theme to it! Right? 

I Love Secret Santa!!

Every year I participate in the Runner's World Secret Santa. You exchange small gifts with other runners from around the country (or the world in some cases). I was very excited when I got home from work and found a box waiting for me. Here is what was inside:

A mug with my Marathon Show photo contest submission and my Marathon Maniac number on it! I love it!

I thought it was very clever and my Secret Santa did her/his homework! THANK YOU SECRET SANTA!