Grand Canyon Here I Come!

My weekend plans include doing a rim to rim to rim crossing of the Grand Canyon.

To say that I’m a little nervous about this is an understatement.

I’ve been doing a ton of trail running the last few months in preparation but I’m not sure you can ever be ready for the Canyon. At least that’s what our group leader keeps telling us and she’s done it 10 times!

The day after we returned from Europe was our mandatory Death March trail run– 18+ miles in the Arizona heat to get us prepared. It’s meant to be the equivalent of the 20 mile marathon training run. You do it because it’s part of your plan.

Well,

Screenshot_2014-04-22-20-41-13-1

I got in 13.1 miles before jet lag, the heat, and my longing to spend time with my kids took over. I hadn’t seen them the night I got in and didn’t see them when I left the house at 5 the next morning. There was one more loop left, a little over 5 miles, but I just couldn’t and didn’t.

Everyone said I was ready and that the fact I made it out in the first place was admirable. That made me feel better as I really wanted to make sure I was prepared for the intense adventure we would soon embark on.

After the second loop and where I said I was done

After the second loop and where I said I was done

Rim 2 rim 2 rim is another once in a lifetime opportunity and I really can’t believe that it’s going to happen, that I’m one day away from doing something not a lot of people have done or will ever do–44.5 miles and 20,000+ elevation change.

South Kaibab to North Kaibab to Bright Angel

South Kaibab to North Kaibab to Bright Angel

My husband isn’t doing this with me and it makes me a little sad that we won’t be sharing this experience together. But, I’m so thankful of his support and encouragement in all the crazy things I want to do. He loves telling people that his wife is going to cross the canyon or that his wife ran a marathon (or insert distance). What *I* love is hearing him–he says it with such pride that it makes me want to continue doing things that make him proud. And when I’m running and start to feel like I want to give up or slow down, I think about all the confidence he has in me–how he thinks I can do anything–and it keeps me going.

Sorry, I got a little sappy on you. I’ll stop now. πŸ™‚

I’m ready for this new challenge and am so looking forward to coming back and tell you all about it. I’ll be away from the blog but will be posting on my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook page if you’re interested in following. Keep on the lookout for a recap next week!

Have an amazing weekend!!!

~helly

–Who is the cheerleader in your fitness journey? Who do you cheer?

–Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? (this will be my first time (because I’m not counting when I was 6 and can’t remember) πŸ™‚ )

 

39 responses

  1. Good luck! I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon…it’s on my list! My two girls and husband are my cheerleaders in my fitness journey. I love cheering on my husband (cycling) and my runner friends in any of their accomplishments/challenges. HAVE FUN!

  2. Good luck! I’m sure this will be an experience you will never forget. You are setting such an amazing example for your children that they can do anything they work for!

  3. I’m so excited for you. I’ve only seen the Grand Canyon from an airplane window. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to run rim to rim… But then I said I thought I’d never do a marathon and now I’ve done two.

    Can’t wait to read about your experience.

  4. This post made me tear up. My mind is blown at how amazing this adventure is going to be. I can’t wait to hear all about it and see pics. Good luck, amiga!! ❀ ❀ ❀

  5. Wow, you are so crazy! Good luck! I’ll be cheering for you from afar and following along on social media. What a crazy race!
    Before a destination race, sometimes the fam will send me a photo of them holding with good luck signs. Very cool!

  6. This sounds so awesome. Have a great time. I can’t wait to hear all about it. You are so lucky to have a great cheerleader. My husband is my cheerleader and partner in crime. It is the best.

  7. This looks amazing but so hard. I visited the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago but just hiked a little way down. We met a ton of people returning from an overnight hike and they looked exhausted! I’d love to hike down to the bottom but I think I’d need a night to relax. Good luck!

  8. I’ve run a R3 twice now and I’m hooked!! Doing it again in October before they shut off the water. Last weekend it snowed on my friends on the day after they finished! It’ll probably be a little toasty this weekend!! It is truly a life altering experience and pictures just don’t do the canyon justice!! Good luck and enjoy!!

  9. Whoa that is a pretty crazy race! I know you can do it though! It sounds like an amazing experience that you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life. if you can, take lots of pictures!

  10. Good luck, Helly! Looking forward to seeing pictures and feedback from your journey! I used to cheer for my husband while he was still playing volleyball, and for my dad when he played tennis. πŸ™‚