Mar 22, 2011

Run and Hike Canyonlands 2011

 The family indulged me by traveling to Moab so that I could run the Canyonlands Half Marathon.  This was my second year.  The course is so beautiful along the Colorado River!  I wish I could take pics the entire way.  I met up with Anne, Lisa, JaNae and Sheri at the start line.  It wasn't nearly as cold at the start as it was last year....twenty degrees warmer they said.  What a relief...cuz it sure was frigid last year!!  

I had a pretty good race.  I ran with Lisa and Anne until about 6.5, then Lisa took off.  There was a hill at around 9, and Anne does hills so much better than I do, and she took off.  I was really enjoying the run...until almost exactly 11.5.  Then both my stomach and my achilles tendon started to hurt at the exact same time.  I had to stop and walk a minute or two at 11.5 and about 12.5.  I was really hurting!!  I wondered if I would have to walk across the finish.  However, there is something about walking across the finish line that I just can't do, so I picked it up and ran across.  My final time was 2:16:39...about a 10:24 mile.  Pretty average for me.  Yep...I'm slow.

I had such a fun time though.  I really love being at the race with friends!!
Canyonlands Start Line
Me and Anne waiting for the race to begin--20 degrees warmer than last year.  Phew!!

Sheri, Lisa, Me, Anne and JaNae-Race Start  Actually quite cold and windy!!


Lisa and Me
High Fiving the Fam at the Finish Line
Anne, Me, Lisa, Sheri, JaNae-Finish Line!!






No trip to Moab is complete without a stop at the Rock Shop.  The kids brought their allowance and we spent a great deal of time after the race shopping for rocks and other souvenirs.
Sunday morning we got up and went into Arches National Park.  It was pretty cold and windy.  We weren't prepared for the weather, and really didn't stay long.


We walked around Balanced Rock, hiked the Windows area, and went over to the Sand Dunes.  The kids sure had fun with our neighbors and are looking forward to Mom's next race in an exotic locale!! 


Caroline Performing
Eldredges and Murdoch Kids-Corona Arch

I love that Will is helping Caroline.

Josh


Windows in Arches National Park

Josh's stunt shot.  Don't worry Grandma...it's just a trick of the camera.

Caroline

Emma charging down the Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes


Murdoch Kids at Balanced Rock


Emma and Megan

Josh-Sand Dunes

Will and Jake



Will and Jake

3 comments:

a happy heart blog. said...

Wow! Great photos and good job!

The Chili's said...

Dang I wish we could have come!

Monica M said...

Homesick!!! Good job!