Canyonlands

Today I did something I've never done before. I ran in a race. MONTHS ago I signed up to run the Canyonlands Half Marathon. Thinking, "Hey this will keep me in shape all winter!!" Yeah, I didn't prepare as much as I thought I would. So I chickened out and decided to run the 5 miles instead. Luckily, Crystal was running that one too so I didn't have to run it alone.

With my constant need of a vacation, I invited Mark and Heather to join me. With their recent engagement, I thought it would be fun to spend time with them.

The adventure then with me being sleep deprived and a beastly few shifts. Yeah, I know, when does that not happen. Needless to say I turned on the GPS and fell asleep in the back seat. After having received the news that once again my life plan would not go the way I wanted it too. A few short hours later we arrived in Moab to the gorgeous red rock and setting sun. At this point we checked in to fun little cabins and I was reminded how mad my stomach was. I may or may not have forgotten to eat breakfast lunch and dinner at this point. With THOUSANDS of people in Moab this weekend everywhere was PACKED! We thought Pizza Hut would be fast. Yeah an HOUR later we dove into a Pizza and their chocolate dippers.

Yes these are FAKE!

I was so tired I passed out within 10 minutes of laying. Shocking to me because it was only 2230! I woke up a blissfully 8.5 hours later feeling fully rested. Geared up and ready to run! Mark thankfully dropped me, Crystal, and Levi off at the start point. Bus after Bus was lined up to shuttle us up to the start. The only downfall was sitting up the canyon, while a nice COOL breeze kept me from feeling warm. We chilled for 60min for it to begin. It was fun to just sit back and people watch. We looked a bit like cattle to be honest with you.

At 0935 we took off, me blasting my music to find my rhythm, then just ran. It went faster than I thought. The scenery was gorgeous. My only problem was my stupid leg. Apparently the evil groin muscle chose to rebel my last mile but I came in with the time 57:29! That's right with my sparse training I had never come close to that! After downing my chocolate milk and banana, Crystal and I went back to the finish line to cheer on the runners. Watching those half-marathoners come in at 1 hr and 15 min. Crazy men. Wow. Well, I caught the bug and now have the goal to do it in under 2 hours next year. If not before :).

After the race I eventually found Mark and Heather, not an easy task amongst the chaos. From there we headed to Arches to do some hiking. Though at this point my body was beginning to hate me even more. We choose the simple hikes, North & South Window and Double Arch. I plan to tackle more of them later this year too! After getting nearly blown off the trail a few times and watching Mark climb up everything, we decided to head home. I promptly passed out in the back and let Mark drive again. An hour later I noticed the gas light was on. So the adventure became praying we could get to the gas station 25 miles away. Just in case you had any doubts, there is NOTHING in Emery. Especially the miles around Emery. The gas station had one pump in the center of town. The best part were the signs on the door--an announcement about the week's Relief Society Meetings and the need for photo ID when buying tobacco products. Ironic. Yes, I think so. Well at this point we somehow managed to get off track by an hour. Don't ask me how we got lost I have NO idea. My beautiful little GPS got us back on track thought and I pulled into my little house about 2100. Oh to be home. Since then I discovered muscles I didn't even know I had. But, I just can't wait to do it again!!