I have an out and back run into Snow Canyon State Park from my home that I just love. The last time I ran it, I was barefoot, in preparation for the St. George Marathon. So in preparation for the Salt Lake City Marathon I put this 16 mile run under my belt again barefoot.
The run stood out for me in a couple of ways. The first was how my feet felt deep into the Canyon, and the second was running it in the pitch dark, as their was no moon, just a blanket of stars.
When I previous ran this run I rember the decent back into Snow Canyon to be painfull enough to cause me to walk instead of running. The road is quite steep — it is surfaced with a fine chip seal — so it feals like course sandpaper. I also remember the next day that my feet were tender. So as I write this I notice two differences. The first is that I was a bit worried about running the marathon (StGeorge) because of how my feet felt. I powered up the hill against the wind and pushed hard. The wind was stiff and cold enough to cause my feet to go numb. Again I wondered how I would feel making the decent back in. At the top I threw down a few apples took a final look at my Garmin - 8.5 miles at the turn arround. The Sun had now disapeared and without a moon, darkness in the canyon, was soon upon me. I charged the down hill run. Checking my posture — sitting, lifting my knees, my head smooth, and my arms pumping vigorously. I kept expecting my feet to give out any second as I was going fast. But they did not, nor would they.
I was now under a great canopy of brillient stars. I could barely see the ouline of the road and was looking for the start of the trail path so I would not miss it. As I started this run I was pondering all the silly things my Dad would often say about people of Irish descent. All those steriotipical things that faced Irishmen since they imigrated to this country. I felt very connected to my anscestors this night — as the star filled sky blurred overhead against the contrast of almost pitch black Snow Canyon trail. At 41 years old I was simply determined to rebuild my life without the lies of the past. To stand on truth, to be all that my ancestors hoped, but never thought they could be. I thought of my Tongan freind who walks with heaviness, maybe carring all the burdens of his ancestors — those who once went from island to island with no compass — living with a great sense of adventure. He has pulled himself out of the Gheto’s of LA and lives here with a beautiful family. I ran last night for my ancestors and for my posterity and it was incredible. There are no limits.
The run is pretty cool as you can see from the above elevation chart their is some stiff climbs. YES!
One last thought. The first time I ran this run I did not carry any extra food. I also did not replenish my glycogen stores after the run. I finished the run with strength and speed. I feel I could do the run again this morning. I also believe that my feet and muscles continue to get stronger and stronger. I look forward to my 2nd barefoot marathon in Salt Lake City in just a couple of weeks.
Michael Carroll