Draper Canyon Trail Running with Julia

I have been intrigued with trail running recently and find a lot of peace and enjoyment running in the hills and trails close to home but feel a tiny bit unsafe out there alone.  I want to explore more places to run but just don't have the nerve to do it. When I saw a fellow blogger talk about an upcoming race in Draper Canyon I jumped at the idea because I knew there would be lots of people around and with aid stations this would be a fun opportunity.  There is a 4,7,10, and 15 mile option to sign up for.  They were all the same price regardless of miles run so I went ahead with the whole enchilada and signed up for the 15 mile distance.  Why not?  Then I realized a tiny problem.  I didn't know any trail runners and I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  I tend to jump into things sometimes without doing any research.  I do like the element of surprise though. It's just my personality.  Well, so I quickly got on Facebook and just threw the idea out there and invited anyone to come with me. It only took a few moments and this cute gal whom I've never met in real life but am Facebook friends with and read her blog regularly jumped at the invitation.  Meet Julia Hubbard.  Isn't she cute? She has a new challenge up her sleeve to run a 50 mile ultra-marathon on trails and has been looking for somewhere to run to get some good training and likewise is nervous about being out on the trails alone. She immediately signed up for the Draper Canyon Trails run and will be running with me on Saturday May 26th! 

We decided to meet up and get to know each other and do a run together before the big race.  I loved her patience with me and her trail running style.   I think (hope) we're a good match and she even wants to run with me more. (She even wears Saucony like me!)  She's going to show me some trails in her neck of the woods and we'll explore some in my area as well.  The super awesome thing is we live in the same city and so meeting often should be pretty flexible for both of us.    

When I got home I decided I needed to show off my spiffy new trail running shoes that my friend Annaleesa hooked me up with.  Yes, you can call me clown feet.  I inherited a nice BIG foot from my dad's side of the family.  But what makes it even worse is I like to wear men's shoes because of the extra space in the width and toe area. Isn't the tread on the bottom so cool though?  These were absolutely the perfect shoe for today's run.  I never lost my traction one time and the shoe seemed to grip nicely to the trail.  Heavenly, I tell you.