Kjerstin, Anne and I all finished the Canyonlands Half Marathon yesterday! It was really fun to go together. The race was such a spectacle, with almost 3000 runners streaming through the narrow canyon. Imagine Lake Powell-type cliffs and rocks and a river in the ravine on the right.This picture is "before." Turns out, even when there is a half-marathon to be run, none of us are morning people. Randy thought Kjerstin looked hung over at breakfast (she was not). We got on a bus at 8:00 and they took us 13.1 miles up the canyon, where we waited with Billy Idol blaring and hot chocolate. It was cold and cloudy! This was probably the best time to have my sisters nearby. There is nothing better than having two other people with the same style of anxiety and psychoses nearby to assure you that you are okay.
We all ran into old friends at the top: small world. We saw Cameron Hill at registration, too. He really is married, and I actually met his wife, in person.
After the start, we all settled into our own pace. Running is always a solitary experience, I think. I spend the time playing mind games, trying to trick myself into runner longer or faster, so by the end I can't remember which promises to myself I have made or broken. I think I owe myself a massage, $1000 and a car and I'm pretty sure by walking up the hill at mile 9 I forfeited a trip to the Bahamas.
Meanwhile, Dave, Randy and the kids all went to see the Delicate Arch. After the finish Max told me "Mommy, rocks." I am still working on getting Randy to embrace the desert, which I think is the most beautiful part of Utah, so hopefully that was another step in the right direction.
Looking forward to seeing Randy and the boys at the end was all that got me through the last mile. 13.1 miles is the longest consecutive distance I have ever run, or ever plan to. Unlike for some people, this experience did not motivate me to run a marathon: it inspired me to run 10k's. I am not a distance girl. I did finish under 2 1/2 hours, which was my only goal. Kjerstin and Anne both beat me, but I'm not really sure what the etiquette is on disclosing race times and finishes, so I will leave it up to them to post. I have been telling myself it is because they are younger than me, but the truth is they are also sportier and better trained than me! Tough women. Overall I am feeling pretty good today, but my knees are feeling it more than I expected, probably because the course was mostly downhill. That does make me feel like an old woman. But as I slip gracefully into old age, at least I can be comforted by the memory of running a half marathon once, like June roses in December (Monson).
Here are some "after" pics, looking worse for the wear :)
4 comments:
I am so proud of you all! I wish I could have been there to cheer you on. Rach, I love the second picture you posted with Max just eating in between you all. It is hilarious!
Good job, gals! That is a hard race to finish.
I'm with you, Rachel. Ever since I ran that race (10 years ago ?!!) I have not wanted to run long distances. When I finished I saw those full marathoners run past and I was like, "Later, suckers!" (Well, that's what I would have thought if I had been still thinking in near-complete sentences and not completely wiped out). I think I just lay on the grass and stared at the sky for a bit.
By the way, I think my time was online for years (I don't see it anymore) so good luck keeping those times under wraps.
You are amazing women!!! You should be so proud of yourselves - and definitely get yourself a massage, car and cash. And I am with you 100% about the deserts of Utah. Those canyons sound beautiful.
I'm telling you, the walking half 5K is where it's at. Good job guys!
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