We drove to Moab in one day. It went rather well, up until the camper flat tire in Glenwood Canyon. We were fortunate that there was some nearby construction and an amazing system of cameras throughout the canyon. A man was there ready to divert traffic, immediately. Duane was able to fix the flat within a few minutes and we spent the next hour at Discount Tire. With two new tires, we headed into town to visit the local brewery for lunch, then be on our way. A few more hours, and we would pull into camp.
I was disappointed with Moab as we pulled in during a crazy desert storm. It had been incessantly raining in Colorado Springs when we left. I had told Aspen that it wouldn't and didn't rain in the desert. She was sure to remind me of this assertion many times. We met up with a couple of friends, Vanessa and Andy, en route and at camp to run the Thelma and Louise Half-Marathon with. They drove their RV and enjoyed comfort and dryness, while we set up the popup camper.
During the night, the rain continued and became more fierce. Around 1 a.m., our EZ-up tent had completely collapsed. Metal bent and destroyed, it was in pieces. Around 3 a.m., I decided that if the rain continued at 5, I would not be running the race. The rain finally stopped at some point. I fumbled around in our dark camper to put on my Skirtsports Lioness skirt and to lace up my shoes. I met Vanessa at our van, and we headed to the start of the race.
The Thelma and Louise is an all women's event that runs along the Colorado River. I warmed up for a mile, and then headed to the start. I was surprised to see everyone standing sheepishly around the start and afraid to line up in front of the 1:45 pacer. I knew I would run faster than 1:45, so I joined a few other women at the front of the start. I ran in 5th place for the majority of the race. Around mile 9, the women holding 1st and 2nd began to dramatically slow down. I passed each one, and began to really push my pace in the last two miles as I felt someone on my shoulder. I knew the difference between 3rd and 4th place was pretty huge, so I fought to the finish. I finished at 1:40:14 in 3rd position, only seconds before the next runner. I ran back for Vanessa. Then, we both ran back so that I could run a total of 17 miles, following my marathon plan.
We spent a few days in Moab, finding the small hikes in Arches and Canyonlands to walk along with the kids. We also hiked the Negro Bill hike, which was a really tough route with small children. It became really hot in the last couple of miles of the hike. Truthfully, I bribed Aspen with ice cream and a stuffed animal.
We headed back into Colorado, and had a layover in Glenwood Springs at a friends house. It was relieving to sleep in a real bed, and to put the kids to bed early. They had been staying up later, and the lack of schedule was starting to overwhelm everyone. We visited the hot springs, but Aspen mostly needed a day out of the sun to rest. She enjoyed some TV and a good sleep. I was able to get a fantastic run along the Roaring Fork River in the rain the next day. That afternoon we headed to Vail for a couple of nights at the Healthy Schools Retreat. It was a fantastic stay. Duane and the kids were able to explore Vail, while I attended the conference.
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| Catching up on GoT in the hotel bathroom, while the kids slept. |
After Vail, we headed to the Shoshoni Yoga Retreat Center for family weekend. It's an amazing program with beautiful surroundings, restful yoga, great activities for the kids, and fantastic food. On the last morning of our stay (and the last morning of our trip), I left the camper at 4:40 a.m. to run the Skirtsports 13er in Boulder. Ten days in a camper and two half-marathons might've been overly ambitious.
The race starts at Home Depot in Louisville, Colorado. The first year of the race, they ran us over a bridge overpass, which bottle-necked the runners to a standstill. Thankfully, they walked us over the bridge and had us start on the opposite side. The course climbs a lot, and the hills are really long. At first, I thought this was the reason for my slow start. Close to mile 8, and in the middle of the longest hill, I was passed by a young girl that I beat in the T&L half. At that point, I realized that sleeping in a camper and travel, in general, probably affected my race. No big deal. The event helped me focus on getting my distance for marathon training during vacation. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have run at all on vacation. I was suppose to finish 20 miles that day. I warmed up for a mile and was able to run an additional mile after the race, but that was it. No 20 for me. I was done. It was hot, and I missed my family. I enjoyed some post race oranges and snacks. They also had cake, which was nice, but the heat had me feeling really sick.
When I ran the race during the first year, Aspen was there, and I was pregnant. This year would have been perfect to have kids around, because Home Depot had a little maker's station underneath a tent for kids to build projects. I also didn't stick around long, because, unlike the first year, I didn't have any friends join me. A few of us ran the first year, but it didn't work out this time around. Hopefully, we can get a group going next year.
Later that day, we headed home and enjoyed sleeping in our own home and beds. The trip was a definite success with Aspen and Rowan. We visited with countless dear friends along the way. Overall, it was fantastic. I have learned that if I plan to travel to a race, to have that race be within the first 24 hours of my trip. It's not that I won't do this again...because the trip and two races were really fun, but I just won't expect to run very well at the second event.
