Running and Hiking on Antelope Island

by Heather Blackmon on April 3, 2012 · 32 comments

in Fitness, Running, Travel

If you read Runner’s World, you’ve probably seen the Rave Run feature in each month’s issue, where they feature a runner in some amazing location around the world. I always look longingly at those photos in the magazine, but we’ve never actually taken a trip to experience it ourselves.

Until last week!

Kirk found the Rave Run Antelope Island, which is outside of Salt Lake City. It was a bit of a drive from Park City (about a 1.5 hour drive), but well worth the trip! It didn’t hurt that the weather was perfect for running – hovering around 60 degrees.

IMG_8577

IMG_8579

This place is unreal – with buffalo and antelope roaming the island with nothing separating us from them. The snowcapped mountains in the background, salt lake surrounding us, and fields of of grass. Even as we were there, it still didn’t feel real.

IMG_8575

IMG_8576 IMG_8581

It took some time to find the trail, but once we did it was pretty easy to follow. A straight shot through the fields, where we saw the antelope running to our right.

IMG_8585

Kirk offered to run with our good camera bag, which meant we had the perfect way to capture our memories and share them with you!

IMG_8590

IMG_8583

IMG_8591

IMG_8592

The best way to make you feel out of shape? Try running up a mountain where even the valley is above 4000 feet. This sea-level girl was huffing and puffing pretty early on and we finished the climb at more of a hike than a run.

IMG_8599

IMG_8604

But the views from the top were worth the hike. If I lived in Utah, this would have to be on my rotation of places to run. And running up the mountains would have to get easier eventually, right?

IMG_8602

IMG_8611

The best way to make you feel back in shape? Run back down the same mountain, it’s much easier in that direction! Especially with the distracting beauty of nature all around you.

IMG_8621

IMG_8626 IMG_8629

I hope you can excuse this photo overloaded post, I just couldn’t narrow down the photos any more than this.

***********************

And with today’s inspiring run photos, it’s also time for me to get back to running & duathlon training. Here’s a quick overview of this week’s schedule:

  • MondayBootcamp
  • Tuesday – 1:00 Bike Intervals + 2M Run
  • WednesdayBootcamp + 6M Run Intervals
  • Thursday – 20-25M Bike
  • Friday – Rest Day
  • Saturday – Olde Rope Mill Park 6.5M Race + Bootcamp
  • Sunday – :30m Bike + 10M Run

And finally, a shameless plug for our coaching services! If you are starting to notice races on your schedule getting closer (like me!) and would like some help optimizing your training – check out our coaching options or email me!

***********************

Questions for you:

  • Do you have your own Rave Run location? Where is your favorite place to run?
  • What’s your next race goal?

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

Tina @ Best Body Fitness April 3, 2012 at 7:32 AM

That is AWESOME! I would so love to go run in a place like that. Beautiful.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Heart Rate Zone TrainingMy Profile

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:19 PM

Now the trick is to finder a closer location that is beautiful like this – there’s got to be a great spot somewhere in Georgia, right? :)

Reply

Lee April 3, 2012 at 8:10 AM

I really enjoy running on the Silver Comet Trail. Not quite as picturesque as what you’ve got here, but pretty nonetheless.

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:20 PM

The Silver Comet does have some pretty spots – running through the “trench” around mile 6 or so can be really cool and peaceful in the summer!

Reply

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table April 3, 2012 at 9:26 AM

That so cool that you got to run one of the Rave Runs! I’m always saving magazines with feature like that for “one day…”

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:21 PM

I know, right?! I need to plan more trips around those features, I guess.

Reply

Christie April 3, 2012 at 9:30 AM

I L-O-V-E the Rave Run pics!!! That is one of my favorite parts of getting my Runner’s World each month. What an awesome view!

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:24 PM

I can’t believe we’ve actually visited one now — it’s always the first thing I flip to each issue. :)

Reply

Richard April 3, 2012 at 10:13 AM

Awesome! Is there an envious button on this site??

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:25 PM

Haha — no envy, just inspiration! :) I hope you get to run somewhere beautiful soon too!!

Reply

Kiri W. April 3, 2012 at 10:31 AM

Wow! What a gorgeous setting to run in – but it must be tough at that altitude!

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:26 PM

I always forget what a difference the altitude makes. No wonder all the super-fast athletes train at altitude!

Reply

Paige @ Running Around Normal April 3, 2012 at 11:24 AM

omg that looks awesome!! Lucky you. Unreal @ that buffalo :)

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:27 PM

It’s always so strange to see such a HUGE animal just wandering around, we’re so used to just seeing those on TV or in a controlled environment. Crazy!

Reply

Janae Wise April 3, 2012 at 12:33 PM

I agree, running is so much easier when you’re in nature. Antelope Island is a beautiful place, kind of a drive for me, but the weather has been fantastic lately.

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:29 PM

I’m so jealous that you can drive there – even if it’s not very often!! It looked like a great place for mountain biking too – we were passed by one on the trail.

Reply

Michele @ nycrunningmama April 3, 2012 at 1:02 PM

WOW. That rave run certainly did not let you down. Tell Kirk thank you for running with the camera bag – the pictures you captured were amazing – seriously beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing your experience =)
Michele @ nycrunningmama recently posted..Got Chocolate Milk?My Profile

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:30 PM

I will do that – he’s such a great sport for things like that! =)

Reply

Lindsay @ Lindsay's List April 3, 2012 at 2:24 PM

Oh my gosh!! This is STUNNING! I want to go NOW!
Lindsay @ Lindsay’s List recently posted..tuesday trainer – tabatasMy Profile

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:30 PM

This would fit in that “when running doesn’t suck” category – right?! ;)

Reply

STUFT Mama April 3, 2012 at 8:51 PM

Totally jealous of that run. Like “I want to go there to run it right now” jealous. Favorite place to run is at the beach which I rarely get to do these days. :)

Reply

Heather April 3, 2012 at 9:32 PM

Beach is another one of those places that is always harder in real life than in my head – but the view is worth it! :)

Reply

AmyC April 4, 2012 at 7:03 AM

That looks like such an amazing running experience! I loved looking at all of your pictures. I haven’t found my Rave Run yet, but I really enjoy running in Newport, RI. We get some amazing ocean views there.

Reply

Heather April 4, 2012 at 6:22 PM

Aw thanks!! I’ve never run in Newport, but I feel like I’ve heard about several races there recently. Ocean views are great!

Reply

Carol @ Lucky Zucca April 4, 2012 at 3:54 PM

So beautiful!! I’m glad you didn’t narrow down the pictures any more than that! :)

Reply

Heather April 4, 2012 at 6:22 PM

Yay – I never know if my vacation photos are going to bore everyone to death. :)

Reply

Janetha @ meals & moves April 4, 2012 at 4:55 PM

guess who has NEVER been to antelope island? yeah, this girl, who has lived in utah for nearly 30 years. most of the time people just go there to get engagement photos haha. the photos are great, i really should head out there. it definitely is easier to run if you live here, and then when i go to california running is WAY easier.

Reply

Heather April 4, 2012 at 6:24 PM

Wow really?! You have GOT to take a trip there – it’s not that far from the city. Then you can share your pictures. :)

Reply

MCM Mama April 4, 2012 at 10:29 PM

We visited Antelope Island last summer while we were on vacation. We had the kids with us, so I didn’t even look for a trail, but that looks like an awesome run!

Reply

Heather April 5, 2012 at 6:25 PM

What a fun family vacation location – I bet the kinds had a blast!

Reply

BeckyA April 10, 2012 at 6:56 PM

Amazingness! LOVE all the pics

Reply

Previous post:

Next post: