The Hydropouch

After basically a year of anticipation and months of "training"...

The Zion Half Marathon finally happened!

 

I use the term "training" loosely because ever since that apple ambush, progress has been slow.
 You know if you can't do jumping jacks it's just sad! ;)

I went down Thursday and stayed with the Hardings/Johnsons- they're so awesome!

Friday:

After a shake out run I went up to Cedar City to have lunch with a friend... and hit up the SUU bookstore lol I also stopped by the PE building to see some old professors.  All but one where out of their offices, the one that was there: Doc. Taylor, my favorite :)

We spent about an hour talking and I couldn't believe that she remembered me! It's been 6 years since graduation! I felt pretty dang special :)

Oh yeah... I'm part of the "Coaching Factory" 

Car Issues

Packet Pick

 

 

 

Dinner

Temple

 

 

Saturday:

The morning came very quickly.

It was a little chilly and windy waiting to start, but they had a huge warming tent and we stayed in there until the last possible moment.

The miles flew by! And the view was breath-taking! I absolutely LOVE Zion's!

When I lived in St. George I went almost every weekend,

I miss having it so close :s

Then mile 5.58 happened-

The sudden and overwhelming urge to use the lou...

waited in line for 10 minutes... ok really 9 minutes

FOR NOTHING!

Thanks Body... Thanks A LOT!

At least it was right before the big hill so with that drama out of the way it was easy to make up time.

Thank goodness I know how to take advantage of hills!

The more Zion came into view, the more I kept thinking about the night before in the temple.

If this world, especially Zion's, is considered the "lone and dreary world", what is it going to look like after the Second Coming?

I can't even imagine it!

Then mile 11.5 came, my ankle wasn't doing so well- I lost feeling in my foot and pretty sure the blood flow was starting to stop. So I stopped and walked for half a mile. It pains me to have to HAVE to walk in a race- especially since that was the only part where people passed me (besides the potty wait). 

But I rather suffer that than another surgery.

The last mile and half was a painful one.

But I finished, dehydrated from not being smart enough to figure out the hydropouch, but I finished.

I loved it. One to do again!

My friends did amazing too! And Leslie's little family was there to support Josh- the kids were tired of course and more than willing to share my food with me.  They're so stinkin cute!

Josh, Me, Weir, Jared

Our "injury" photo... (Josh's calf was causing problems, I don't know what Weir was doing)

 

 

Hiking:

After the run I decided that it wasn't a good idea for my ankle to hike Angel's landing.  Derek was so relieved- he's so cute. So instead we did the Trifecta hikes. Dani and Bryan came hiking with us too- Dani brought me some Orange Peel too! One reason why she's the best!

 

The Riverside Walk

Doesn't it look like a nose? I was even runny...

Former Teammates still running together-ish

Can you see the climbers?

 

Canyon Overlook

First time I have EVER seen big horned sheep in the park! So cool!

Posing with race bib and finisher medal was required for the Trifecta Club so I wasn't the only weirdo posing like this lol

 

Kolob Canyon (Timber Creek Overlook)

 

 

 

 

 

It was an amazing weekend! I love seeing my friends down there and spending time in Zion National Park! Josh & Jared are now doing the Yellowstone Half with me! Woot woot!

2 months to master the Hydropouch.

Bonus part: I got my America The Beautiful Parks Pass