Took another trip out to Antelope Island with Jun and Scott, this time we also met up with a new friend Adam (Julies husband). We got out to the island fairly early, just a little after 7. We started from the paved road just by the fence line, where the 50 mile Buffalo Run trail will follow at about mile 20 or so. Since Scott and I are running the 50K, we won't be running this section, but Craig and Adam will be doing the 50m, so it was a good look for them and fun for us. Running down the fairly steep hill right from the start, we all knew that section would be a pain in the butt at the end of the run. We ran together for a few miles and chatted a little, then we spread out a little. I tried to stay with Craig, and kept him fairly close for most of the way to the turnaround. We were making pretty good time, keeping it around an 8:30 pace. The trail was nice and dry pretty much the entire time, with very gradual inclines. We got to the Ranch at a little over 10 and half miles, my average was a 8:35 at that point, Craig had gotten there a couple of minutes faster. After we regrouped, refueled, and released, we hit the trail heading back. Craig had mentioned that he was going to take it nice and easy on the way back, which by now I know means he's going to push it. I was right. I stuck with him for 2 or 3 miles as he was pushing 8 min miles, and I knew if I kept that up I'd probably run out of legs, so I slowed my pace down, and continued the rest of the run by myself - our whole group had pretty well spread out so we were all kind of running on our own. Craig continued to get further and further away, and I was keeping a fairly steady pace, so I knew he was cruising. He especially pulled away in about the last 5, but that was probably also in part to me slowing too. I passed a Buffalo just off the trail as I reached my personal distance (18.67) from last week, so it was nice as I took each step further past my longest distance. Craig ended up finishing a good 12 minutes ahead of me, just under 3 hours, at about the same time that I hit the 20 mile mark. Just as we thought, that last hill was a pain, especially as it had warmed a little, so it was nice and muddy as you finished. This was a great run, I liked the fact that we pushed the pace going out, so my legs were a little tired on the way back so I could learn to deal with that :). We also only stopped once, which pushes you just a little more. Overall a fun time out on the island - we were happy there was no wind! 21.37 miles - 624 feet - 3:14:52 - 9:07 pace
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