Jupiter Peak Steeplechase - Park City, Utah
Yesterday morning, August 11th, 2007, I ran in the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase race. After four years of running this trail race, I can’t seem to improve my time. The fun factor, however, continues to remain high. Besides me, approximately 150 other crazy people ran the 16 mile, 3000 ft gain trail race hosted by Park City Mountain Resort, Park City, Utah. At one point we were scrambling up to the top of Jupiter Peak at the top of Thaynes lift, the highest point of the race (10,000 ft). The air is definitely thinner at 10,000 feet but the vista is uncompromisingly staggering.
Jupiter Peak Steeplechase
Not only was the scenery incredible but so were the people running the race. Each year, I always seem to leave with a new best friend. There is something about sweating alongside someone for 3 hours that prompts each of you to share the most intimate details of your lives. Alas, another lasting relationship was formed.
This year, that lasting relationship was my companion, Herb, a park city resident and nurse practitioner. Herb is a veteran of 50 mile races and was doing this race just for another training run. That and his medical expertise made me want to stick close to him at all times!
After basking in the post-race high and cheering crowds, I drove 20
minutes over Guardman’s Pass to meet my family for a well-deserved
lunch on the outside deck of Molly Greens pub at Brighton Ski Resort. To finish off a perfect day, we came home and soaked in the hot tub for 30 minutes, and finally had a nap on the porch at Chez Louisa, one of the many Utah ski vacation homes I manage.
Jupiter Peak Steeplechase