~~WAHSATCH STEEPLE CHASE~~

Jake ran in the Wahsatch Steeple Chase trail race on Saturday, June 11th.  It is a 17 mile race and this is what it says about it online...

The Wahsatch Steeplechase is a tough 17 mile course that winds up the Shoreline trail above the city, past Twin Peaks to the Limestone Crags of Black Mountain. 

Descends the east ridge from the summit to Smugglers Gap. A mountain pass that was named because of a group of moonshiners that operated a still in City Creek Canyon during prohibition and smuggled moonshine to the military base at Fort Douglas. From there the course descends the single track Smuggles Gap trail to City Creek Canyon, down City Creek Canyon back to the start at Memory Grove. 

Jake said it was super tough.  17 miles is the furthest he has ever run and when he finished he was SOOOO TIRED!  He did an amazing job though placing 28th out of 250.  That's pretty incredible with a time of 2 hrs 46 min!  It has been so fun seeing Jake find something he is passionate about.  He told us the beginning of June he didn't want to play football this year because he wanted to pursue trail running.  At first I think Mike and I were a little sad that he won't be playing as a senior under the lights on Friday nights after watching him play for 7 years but seeing him do something he is really good at and helping his confidence and self esteem grow is pretty amazing!  Team sports are great but when they don't build up a person and that person feels like they aren't good enough sometimes it's better to do something individual that really makes that person feel important and do something they are good at and that's trail running for Jake :) Having confidence and a strong self esteem will last you a lifetime! Playing football as a senior won't.  Good for you Jake for making your first REAL BIG DECISION and sticking with what you knew would be the best thing for you and make you happy.  WE LOVE YOU and love watching you finish these races!!!