Starting Location: Las Vegas, NV (Rachel’s Casa)
Finishing Location: North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon, AZ
People: Rachel, Barry, Dennis, & Clare
Special Guests: Anne & Holly (from Santa Fe, NM)
Goal: Enjoy fabulous Grand Canyon by running R2R
Runners: Anne, Barry, Clare
Hikers: Dennis & Rachel & Holly
On Sunday, Jenny & I ran the Horsetooth Half Marathon in Fort Collins, CO. It was foggy in the morning, but the fog lifted just before the race. We were blessed with perfect running weather, sunny and cool with no wind.
I ran the race in 1:49:00 (8:19 minutes per mile pace); which was good enough for 15th place out of 141 gals in my age group.
Jenny sprinted to the finish about 10 minutes after I was done. I just barely had enough time to get the camera (we had hidden it the night before). As I was walking to an open spot amongst the crowds, I saw a pink skirt and a blonde pony tail…It was Jenny! I ran like a maniac through the crowd and managed to capture these pictures. Classic!
She scored 17th place out of 107 gals in her age group, with a pace just under 9 minutes per mile. RIGHT ON, JENNY! (more…)
On Monday, Dennis & I went for a really wonderful run alongside the Yampa River in Steamboat Springs, CO. I ran for around 8 miles, Dennis cut it off around 6. It was perfect weather for running, mid 50s. The only gripe I have with the trail (which skirts the edge of Steamboat) is the length of the trail. I wish it were longer!
I didn’t take any pictures as I don’t like running with anything I have to hold (and I didn’t take my camelback). I guess you’ll just have to go up there and check it out for yourself!
On Sunday, I joined Rob & Kemp for a nice 1 hour 50 minute run around Golden, CO. The day was of the beautiful bluebird spring-like variety. It was a good day to be outside. I don’t know how far we ran, I only know we covered topics such as March Madness, running with track clubs, sandbaggers, and the book EPIC. Nice variety of conversation, I thought!
I wish I would have arranged a day of climbing in the great outdoors (instead of the 4 hour gym session soon to follow). Oh-well, I never dreamed it would turn out to be so nice! I ended up running in a tank and had to roll up my pants…a sure sign of spring!
On Sunday morning, I woke up super early (day light savings made it feel even earlier!). I saw the sun rise as I drove out to Golden. I met Kemp, Phil, Brian, and Anne for a nice 1.5 hour jaunt up South Table Mountain.
The group jogged over to the trail head, and then we started climbing. I could feel my legs fatigued from hiking around the West Ridge the prior day. But, I thought, “I have to do this to train for the Grand Canyon!. It’s now only two months off, so this run is very important.” (more…)