Jacoby Ridge Rural Trail
Running Time: 55:38 + 2-minute kick
This was a nice run, even though it was out in the shadeless scrub. It was sunny – I do not mind the sun. Cast off the sunscreen, I say, follow the tan. It was windy and a little cool, so the exposure was not too much. The trail itself was 2.3-mile loop with some inclines. A creek ran alongside one edge, and though it was shallow, it had clear water that looked drinkable.
A defined loop that was less than half the distance I run meant Prefontaine circuits. I ran the first loop in 24:19 and the second in 22:21. 2.3 miles in 22:21 translates to 9:43 per mile. How the hell do people run miles less than 4:00?
The elevation actually felt like it kicked my ass on this run. Normally I run at nearly 5000 feet above sea level in Utah. Laramie is over 7000. I actually did not know that until I just looked it up, but my body told me it was a lot higher than Utah when I was running. My lungs were working hard. Still, at the end my heart rate was 140ish, so that is acceptable.
Laramie seemed like a nice town. I rank it a couple notches above Cheyenne. At 7000 feet, I bet the winters are brutal. I have written about this before: Utah and Colorado make a big deal about their elevation. Wyoming sits there and thinks, what are you all making such a fuss about down there?
The trail was wide and gravel, but a good running surface. The inclines took you up to a ridge where you could overlook the golf course and the city. So the trail elevation was probably 100-150 feet above the city. There were access points on either end, and a portable john at one end. A few people were out walking, most with dogs. One poor young lady walking with a male friend did not hear me approaching from behind and jumped like she had heard a rattlesnake when I passed her.
Don't Make It a Habit. Make It a Ritual. 