Bryce Canyon Half

While I was in Boise I bit the bullet and signed Jon and I up for a half marathon.  I had been wanting to do another after the Ogden half, but I am not of fan of repeat runs, so when I was perusing the various Utah halves, the Bryce Canyon one stuck out.  Close enough for a quick weekend trip, downhill, and great views- all things I thought would help me sell the idea to Jon.  Not that he had much of a choice since I had already registered and paid, but you get the idea. After I got back from Boise I only had a couple weeks before the run, and I'll be honest, Jon and I did nada.  Luckily I was still excited for the little getaway even though I wasn't physically prepared for the run.  We made the weekend getaway as cheap as possible, which equaled camping.  As soon as we rolled into town we setup our sleeping quarters and then headed to packet pickup which was at the finish line, so we drove along the majority of the course to get there.  Then we grabbed some grub.  I would have been willing to fork over money for a sit-down joint, but Jon, oh Jon- we ended up picking up a couple hot dogs and a bag of chips....and donuts.  Yeah.  (Maybe, just maybe that didn't help with my tummy the next day.)  The campground was close enough to the start that we just walked there, which worked just dandy as our warmup. 

It was so fun to run with Jon.  We stayed together the first 9 miles and after that I just couldn't keep the pace I wanted to.  I told Jon to go ahead and I took a walk break.  Not a great idea.  Once I started walking it was so hard to start running again, especially after slacking on training runs, and I pretty much had to run/walk the last 3 miles.  So my time was awful, but ah well.  It is what it is.  Jon did great and we're looking into another run to do together.  He wont do just any run, but I am just happy he wants to do another one.

As always, the last mile was torture.  Seriously, the last always seems long, but this one in particular.OH.MY.WORD.  I think Jon had expected me much sooner, but I was just happy to see him there.  A quick exhausted hug and I was like, "I need chocolate milk and a rest!"  Jon just wanted to get in line for his free ice-cream.  I felt pretty awful for a good while after and just wanted to lie down.  Eventually we made our way to the bus pick-up area where I sat on the pavement while Jon waited in line.  Everyone wanted on the bus and I seriously didn't think I would make it on (I felt like I was going to blow chunks) but Jon just kept saying, "Just get on and then you can rest."  The bus was packed by the time we got on, so I just grabbed the first available seat next to some stranger and rested my head on the seat in front of me and hoped I didn't puke.  Soon enough we were back at Ruby's Inn.  The driver wouldn't drop us off at the campground so Jon went and got the car while I rested some more.  I was starting to feel better, but then my sciatic nerve was acting up.  We packed up our tent and hit the road.  Grabbed a Subway in Panguitch and were home bound.  Super quick trip but fun non-the-less.  I just think I will train more before the next one!