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,
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
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
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. 🙂
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) 🙂 )
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!
That’s awesome that you’re husband is also into fitness! And having runner friends is always so motivating for sure
Best of luck! Robyn and I did a Grand Canyon trip the year before we had A, it was a BLAST. I hope you enjoy every bit of this incredible trip!
Awesome that you’ve had a chance to see it! And thank you 🙂
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!
Thank you so much! You’re so sweet 🙂
Good Luck! Sounds like it’ll be tough, but a blast!
Definitely tough! Thank you!
This is sooo amazing and something I want to do one day! Cant wait to see your recap! Good luck out there and have a wonderful weekend!!!
Thank you!! I Hope you do get out there someday 🙂
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.
Exactly!! Don’t count yourself out 😉
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!! ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank you so much Amiga ❤ you!
Good luck – I’m so excited for you – that is such a badass run!! I can’t wait to hear how it goes!!
Thanks!! Can’t wait!!
This is going to be awesome and I can’t wait to hear all about it! Have the BEST time!
And I have been to the Grand Canyon once in 2005. It was amazing. 🙂
Thank you! And how were you in Arizona and we didn’t meet?? (jaja!! I know that was before we met) 🙂
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!
Thank you!! It is a crazy “race”–luckily, it’s nothing timed or anything 🙂
That is so sweet of your family!
Good luck!!!!!
Thank you!
Good luck! And, running 18 miles the after you get back from Europe is crazy pants.
Totally! that’s why I only got in 13 lol!
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.
It really is! I love that your husband is like mine 🙂
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!
Thank you!! We didn’t do it back to back and luckily had a night to relax. It was still super hard though lol!
I can’t wait to hear about it!
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!!
Thank you!!It’s definitely addicting!!
ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE!! I am so freaking excited for you. R2R2R is on my bucket list, so I will be eagerly awaiting the recap when you return to the blog =)
I hope you get to doing it someday!!! I’m recovering but will recap for sure this week 🙂
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!
Tons of pics to follow! 🙂
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. 🙂
Thank you!! Looks like you’ve got a fitness family 🙂
I am in AWE, you are a true BAMR! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Thank you so much friend ❤