SLC Half Marathon and Bryce

Day 22- Stops: SLC, UT; Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Run: Salt Lake City Half Marathon
Hike: Navajo Loop (1^st half – 1.5 miles)

We awoke at 4am for the SLC Half Marathon. The first American marathon held since the Boston Marathon bombing on Monday. Oddly enough, Janae and I had signed up for this race back in January. We never had anticipated what was to come in April. To pay tribute to Boston we picked up a Run Now Boston t-shirt and boarded the train. At the U of U stop dogs also boarded to inspect the train car for explosives. It’s so sad that this has to be done. When we arrived at the start Janae and I were freezing and there were no space heaters or indoor waiting areas so Janae identified an elevator to the pedestrian bridge and there we stayed. We spent 45 minutes in that elevator during which we did a seductive pose, elevator photo shoot.

Finally it was time to head to the start where they played Sweet Caroline as is tradition at Boston events. 

I started the race off at a pretty good pace – running 7 minutes for the first few miles. The first 3 miles were downhill and then the next several were uphill. I threw Jeremy my hat at mile two and he snapped some pictures of me.Then it started to rain harder. After mile 8 I picked up the pace again and I had enough left to sprint it in at the end, running a half marathon personal best of 1:44 flat.

I finished and desperately needed a warm shower. We packed up at Janae’s place, met up with Janae as she finished and watched little Danielle compete in the Kids Marathon (a 1000 meter race).

I signed the Remember Boston Marathon, we drank our free beer, and headed out for Bryce Canyon, stopping at the GoLite outlet on the way for some new outdoor cold weather gear.

 

We arrived at Bryce around 5pm and headed out to start the Navajo Loop. I became aware that a 4 hour car ride after running a 13 mile race without stretching was a mistake as we descended into the canyon. We headed back up the switchbacks after completing the first mile and a half of the hike. It was windy and cold at Bryce Canyon- somewhere around 30 degrees and the evidence lied on our tent in the form of frost. Vinay and Vijay arrived late and we sipped some beers before bed, planning to be up for sunrise the next day.

Bryce Canyon