Cavitt Run

This afternoon I took off for a run from Cavitt to Twin Rocks. This is the starting section of the Sierra Nevada Endurance marathon I am doing on my quarter century birthday in September. I am familiar with the first 5 or so miles of the trail...and I HATE IT! The run starts off from the school and climbs up to a levee of Folsom Lake. From the levee you follow a fire road out towards Granite Bay state park...this is where I mentally give up. This fire road is rolling hills that is totally exposed to the sun. My blood boils just writing about it. I hit the trail around 4:45pm to get mileage in before the trail got too busy. I got through the fire road but hated every second of it. You can take a single track diversion off the fire road to keep your sanity, which I did. The water is so high my route almost got cut off! After the brief bliss of single track its back on the fire road for about a mile before you get the sweet taste of single track again. It was not too hot out there today, but I know I could have drank more water throughout the day. I made it to the horse stables and then the rest of the way to Twin Rocks was unknown ground for me. It turns into a lot of sand after the horse stables which make you feel like your running in water...its rough. It was only about a mile from the stables to Twin Rocks where I took a hydration break and ran into the mounted patrol. I said "hello" and they were on their way. On the run back to Cavitt I ran into the patrol again and let them know I was behind them wanting to pass. One of the horses spooked and almost knocked me out. The rider got pissy and asked if I touched the horse...not asked, accused me. I did not touch the horse but she was pretty convinced I was. That through a little mental rut in the run, but I was quickly on my way back to Cavitt. It was a great run back and hit a decent water tower hill on the way back. It was the first time I ran trails with my iPod. Usually I try to avoid it because I cant hear whats behind me and you really need no music with the trees passing by. By the time I made it back to Cavitt I was COVERED in my own salt. I took off my hat, salt stains, wiped my face...salt. Pretty crazy. I put back on my Asics today since the Solomons were giving me blisters...man my feet are recked from both these shoes. I am trying to avoid purchasing shoes due to lack of $$$ but it might be a must. I am going to try a till Monday so two more long runs in the Asics before I give up :( Tomorrow is ADO to No Hands a hot, STEEP 8 mile run. Cheers!