PA Grand Canyon Half Marathon Race Report

I got up at 4 this morning. Like, while it was still dark. Really dark! Because I stayed at home my dad drove me to the high school to catch the bus up to the top of the mountain. I think I caught the second bus, but the bus driver was a little discombobulated in the dark. She missed the turn, then took a wrong turn, then apologized profusely the whole way up the switchbacks, while saying she HOPED it was right! A little nerve-wracking!

It was dark when we got there around 5:15, so we kind of hung out in clumps by the port-a-potties until the sun came out! (As much as it did, it was cloudy!) Finally, we could see, and I made my way to the start, where I checked my sweatshirt and made someone take my picture. (Then I fixed my bib. Apparently I can't work safety pins in the dark.)

 Here we are right before the start. Cold and ready to run!! The logistics of getting everyone to Colton Point are rough, but they managed it.

 

 

The race website said someone last year commented that none of the course was flat. It was either uphill or downhill, and they were right. There was a hill at mile 6 that wasn't even an incline. It was straight up! I don't know if you can see the hill here -- it's blurry.

 

My first five miles were 55 minutes, which is a good pace. I slowed down some, but ran until mile 10 (except for the evil hill!) and then I had to take some walk breaks. I finished in 2:42:54, which is about 6 minutes slower than my PR, but on this course, I'll take it! I hope the one in October, on a fast, flat course, will be a really good time!

 

I ran with the girl in the teal shirt for a while. She helped me keep my pace and probably made me run faster than I would have alone. Talked to several people as we were waiting (and we waited an hour for the shuttle bus to return us to our cars -- a little logistical glitch I hope they address next year) and made some friends. Runners are the best!

 

My dad took pictures at the finish, but they're blurry. I'm a speed demon!