Training in Montana

"20" miles today in Jackson, WY, running out to the airport and back. Gorgeous views of the Tetons from miles 4-10. We drove to Jackson Friday morning, heading through Yellowstone via the Cody, WY entrance. Got stopped a couple times for bison crossings, which is always fun. We aren't the lucky family to ever see bears while friends seem to see a bear everytime they drive through. Hmph. Anyhow, woke up this morning at 5 and left the house by 5:30, which was pretty dark especially owing to a massive Eastern cloud cover. Headed out towards Yellowstone via an awesome path that's now finished. It goes from town all the way to Grand Teton National Park, next to the highway. Not very crowded this morning - only was passed by a couple bikers on the way out. I was shooting for a 9 minute pace as we had a full day and I didn't want to be exhausted and rob my family of my attention. I kept that fairly well on the way out. I was planning on turning around at 10, but at 9 miles I passed by the airport which is 1/2 mile off the road, and I realized my bowels weren't going to make it another 10 miles back to town and there's no privacy to squat by the road. So, I headed to the airport and made a nice pit stop there and changed out bandannas and got a drink of water. On the way back I pushed the pace a bit as I needed to be back at 8:30. I think I kept some 8:30s in there which felt good, especially considering I'd done 10 at 8:00 two days ago. 

Overall, I felt good on today's run. I felt good all day with no leg pains and no exhaustion. That 50K prep really got me over the hump of being exhausted after a long run. I guess my next step will be getting faster on my long runs, but I'll do that during the winter/spring.

AP: 8:57

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/209657982