Participants: Carl Brailsford, John & Joan Moellmer, Roger Adams, Jill Bohney, Cynthia  and Ron Daniels, Don Petitt, Paul Hart, Irv Nielsen.

I sit here thinking about the Tur Fens 30 K and I'm nursing a sore butt from a fall on ice in Red Butte Canyon where I was running (slogging) today.  That brings sympathy pains for Cynthia, Jill, and Roger who took falls on the snow covered ice of the Jordan River Trail last wednesday.  It was spectacular weather.  The temperature started out cool in the mid 20's but must have been in the low 50's by the end of the run.  After a brief drive up and down Main Street SR 73, I located Roger and Jill who were lost and driving around trying to find the start using my lousy directions.  We started out with 8 of us staying together for about 6 miles.  Most of the group met Don, who had parked out on 9600 North by the bridge and was out walking the last part of the course, at the turn around where the paved trail ends.  Don put in about 10 miles.  Joan and Ron were walking too and did about 6 or 7.  Cynthia turned around at about 7 to 8 miles and then ran back.  Paul made it to the power plant smoke stack and turned around.  The rest of the group ran to the narrows chain link fence across the trail and took a 15 minute break,  chatted with Don when he came down the road, and then set off for the Utah Lake.  The sun came out, the  snow melted, and we had an absolutely spectacular run back.  It was a bit icy on the way out with Jill and Roger taking falls and Cynthia banging herself up but to their credit, they just kept plugging along.  Hope they are all recovered now. Next year, if ice is there, we better run on the side of the trail. Marginally safer, I think.  The full 30 K participants got done in under 4 hours again just about like last year.  This time we were able to sit outside of the cars and watch the remote control  model airplanes do their little tricks we we basked in the sun and the afterglow of a good run.  Then we headed for the One Man Band Cafe and ate some pancakes.  Thanks to all those who bought my full stack of cakes.  Yummy.
We again saw birds but not like last year when there were thousands of robins.  Strangest creatures we saw? Why the Bird Watchers doing their annual bird count.  Prince Many Dots and I think we spotted some Great Blue Herons but they disappeared too fast to make sure.  Squawk!!  Guess the run is for the birds.  Nothing fowler than bad footing though. Have a great New Year everyone.