R2R2R Summary- I wrote it all down in another place in more detail but to summarize and get the miles down...It was AWESOME!! Longer and harder then I ever thought though! We did about 48 miles, down bright angel trail, up to the north rim, down to South Kiabab and back up then 2 miles to get back to camp. Ran the 6 miles down to river under the full moon, ate little drank a little (not enough food!) We had a great quick pace going. Canyon is MASSIVE, and amazing, a whole new world down there in the deep, dark hole! We hit Phantom Ranch in 2 hrs. Quickly refilled water and headed 14 miles of UPHILL to the North Rim. 10 miles of slightly uphill, great trail, beautiful night, 60 degrees, frogs, deer, fox, great friends to chat with, great music. The last 4 miles is steep uphill and seemed to go on forever!!! I started to get really sick. My tummy was full of water with no food! I pushed a gu 2 miles from the top and almost threw it back up. The last mile might have been the longest in my life (until the hike out!) I sat for a min. at the rim, watched the sun come up and ate a half a pb and j. I was NOT happy, I hated running, I vowed to NEVER run again once I got out of this $#%^ canyon!!! My ipod music was stuck on the same 10 songs which added to my bad mood. I tried hard to enjoy the amazing canyon now lit up and more beautiful then I ever imagined! We ran all the way back down, the 14 miles to Phantom. 14 miles of downhill hurts BAD! I was just pissed and ran the last 9 of the flatter part as fast as possible just to get it done! We had a quick stop at Phantom, refilled water and headed to the much dreaded South Kiabab trail. It was only 8 a.m. by now and getting hot fast! I really doubted my ability to get myself out. If Nancy wasn't there to push me I would have swam in the river and layed in the sand for a few hrs. then walked out in the dark! She kept me moving with I though was mean then but realize now was a very good thing. We hiked out together..8 miles 4,800 vert. It was all I could do to keep going, I just put my head down, turned my music up and kept going! There are a bout 7 false summits which did not help my mood! I was planning on chucking my shoes over the edge near the top and being DONE with running!! I found it much easier to eat now and got in some gu, 1/2 a snickers, some almonds, pretzels and lots of water. I felt pretty good and wanted to get it over with so I took off the last 3 miles and got out of there! I reached to Rim, tears in my eyes to no applause, no fans, no family, no t-shirt, no medal, nothing, just some fat tourists who looked at me like I was NUTS! I sat down in the shade and tried not to cry to much and waited for Nancy so I could at least cheer for her! I was so happy it was over, so proud we did it and so exhausted. Not getting any sleep for 2 days, while running 48 miles and climbing 10,600 vert. in 12 hrs. kind of messes with your emotions! Looking back now it was a great trip, an amazing run and I am so happy we did it. My calves are really sore from the 700 hurdles we jumped on the trail! But other then that my legs feel really pretty good! Hips are a bit sore but no injuries have emerged! I learned to eat smaller amounts more often, every 20 min. if I feel like it or not. I drank plenty and peed plenty! Just needed more fuel! I have not quit running, am am even planning to do the poky 50 in 4 weeks. I might quit after that!! | 