From Flippers To Finish Line............: Rim to Rim TO RIM

Friday, May 1, 2015

"What's next? What are you signed up for? What are you racing?".... I don't know... I'm not sure... meh. September 2014 was the Run the Rut- an awesome mountain 50K in beautiful Big Sky, Montana. It's also a very challenging 50K, THE most challenging 50K in North America in fact. I did not make the time cut off, being forced off the course at mile 18. I was A-OK. with that. I signed up because it made me say, "Wow, this looks cool." By the time the event came around, I was heavy in mileage, and just excited to be camping and running in the mountains. I was not skilled enough for the terrain of the course, but was still super happy with the day and the experience. But after this, I wasn't signed up for anything, and wasn't really finding anything that I was excited about. Triathlon? 70.3? Maybe a fun 1/2 Marathon? We did end up running a 200 mile Relay, 12 person team - chasing Bourbon in beautiful Kentucky in October just a month after run the rut. This was a great event and reminded me of how much fun I have running. I was starting to look for a fun trail run that I could sign up for. Then in January, Bryan mentions that Bill is organizing a run..... in the Grand Canyon. Not just a run, but something called the Rim to Rim to Rim. Down, across, Up...and BACK. COOL! YES! No time cut offs. Just a group of us who want to run in the Grand Canyon. I had never been to the Grand Canyon before and had always wanted to visit... I tell Bill, "I'M IN!"

(Some folks do just go from Rim to Rim, but the North Rim does not open till May 15, so we had not choice. It was Rim to Rim to Rim, because the only way back was by foot, or by super expensive medical rescue)

The Details
*47 total miles- (23.5 miles one way)
*10,141 total elevation change
*My time- 19 hours 53 minutes (middle of the pack)- (Looked at my watch and the time said 11:55pm when I finished) I decided to not wear my Garmin. I did not want to get caught up on my pace, and just went on feel. I wore my wristwatch so that I could stay on top of my nutrition.

*The trail map that we used can be found here:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/corridor_map.pdf

Nutrition- Breakfast was one salt stick, coconut water, coffee, apple sauce with protein powder and a banana. (About 350 calories)
Starting at 6am, I took a salt stick on the hour till 6pm, then I took one at 7:30pm, and my last at 9:00pm. I knew that if I over ate in the heat, it would make it difficult for me to absorb water, which would make me start to feel sick, so I tried to be smart and conservative, but also eat enough. I ate a third of a bonk bar every half hour, then took a gel on the next 45min mark. This put me at never wanting to eat a bonk bar ever again. I was truly forcing it down at the end. I snuck in some lays chips in there along with some Camelbak Electrolyte Elixir Tabs- one at the North Rim, and one at Phantom Ranch before descending. (I averaged about 130-150 calories an hour)

Thursday, April 30, 2015- First view of the Grand Canyon- Wow. Eric and I were like excited kids, anxious to see our first views. Vast. Endless. Beautiful.

(Notice the folks on the top left corner for some perspective of height and how far down we were going!)

Speaking to the rangers, getting the details on open water stops and projected temperatures was helpful, but intimidating. "It was 97, down there today. The canyon traps in the hot air, making it feel like an oven. Be smart." Intimidating, but intimidation is a good safety tool. We made sure to bring salt, and knew to be smart about filling up at every stop.
(See to the right for the proper position for barfing)

Friday am, 3:45 am May 1, 2015- And we're off! We met at 3:45am at the top of the Bright Angels Trailhead at the South Rim. We park at the Maswik lodge and make a plan to meet back at the lodge when we finish, as we acknowledge that we may get separated and that each person should continue moving forward if they need to. We had emergency communication plans in place, took a group shot, and off we went for a 4:02am official start. (Bill is taking the picture and the Canadians were starting after us)

Bright Angel Trail- Descending- Trailhead to Bright Angel Campground- 4,380 feet
At the 1 1/2 mile rest house, I was already plenty hot and needed to take off my jacket and hat. Oh oh, this was going to be a hot day.

We stop at every water station and at every bathroom stop. We gleefully make it down the canyon as the sun starts to rise, about to arrive at Indian Camp Ground. I didn't do a good job of taking pics down at the river, but got some great ones on the way back of the river (here's a shot Krissy took arriving at the bridge)

Across the Colorado River into Bright Angel Campground (Phantom Ranch) (All stops along the way down the canyon so far had running water, but it's always important to check with the rangers)

Bright Angel Campground to North Kaibab Trailhead (5,671 feet in elevation change)

It was a steady jog the 7 miles or so across the valley towards Cottonwood Campground. Bill and Al were a steady clip ahead of us, but we felt their love! The terrain from Bright Angel to Cottonwood is soft rock, sand, and a few cool creeks. Temperatures were starting to climb even higher as the sun began to sit overhead. We loved seeing this sign before starting our climb up the north rim.

This group photo on the left was taken right after Supai Tunnel before heading up the last bit to the top of the North Rim (Bill and Al on their way down while Eric, Krissy, and I were on our way up)
(Supai Tunnel is a stop, but did NOT have any running water, the North Rim had very cold water). It is a steady, hot, slow climb up the North Rim. I was sucking in any air I could, and not moving very fast. Krissy and I made plans in case I started to barf or in case she got paralyzed from the fear of the height. Thankfully, we were both just fine. It was a cool relief once we got to the top.There is far less at the North Rim then there is at the South Rim; a few porta potties across the parking lot and water spouts to fill up your water bladders with. The water is cold and the smell of the dry pine was a pleasant surprise. It was just a quick fill up for me, and a big sigh of relief.

North Kaibab back down...

The trail is seen on the right, careful!

I started to feel better so started to shuffle back down the canyon. I'm not a very skilled descender, so was a bit more conservative so as not to catch a rock and trip to go tumbling off the side of the canyon. I was pleased that I was going smooth and steady. By the time I hit the pumphouse Ranger Station, I wanted to just run. I picked it up, (not sure how fast) and got going at a comfortable pace. I felt waves of emotion of the incredible beauty surrounding me and the gratitude I felt for being there. I told my feet and legs to SHUT UP, and decided it was time to HAVE FUN. I wanted to get to Bright Angel Campground at a decent time (Arrived right around 6:15pm, so made sure to keep a steady pace even though it was still super hot) I dipped my bandana in every water source and creek I could find to wrap on my neck and head, only for it to quickly dry up after a few minutes from the dry heat. While I was in a rush, I still remembered to stop and enjoy the details!

Bright Angel Campground to Bright Angel Trailhead (4,380 feet in elevation change)
I didn't spend much time at the campground. Got a few more remarks from hikers, asking if I was "one of those NutJobs doing Rim to Rim to Rim" as I was filling up my water bladder and getting out my headlamp. I cheerfully confirmed that I was, and they gave me a good chuckle, but asked if I needed anything. Off I went up the climb back home. I tried to keep a steady pace, knowing that it would soon be dark. Dusk was amazing, with the sounds of the frogs, lizards and the river rushing by. I had fun turning off my headlamp, and enjoying hiking along by moonlight. An experience, I'll never forget. The switchbacks (I think we counted 29) were darker in some sections, requiring me to put the headlamp back on. I slowed down significantly and Krissy caught up at Indian Camp Grounds. It was great to see her and re-group. I headed off after chatting for a bit and knew she would be right behind. At this point it was just... keep....going. The temperature FINALLY started to feel cool, about 1 mile from the top. I foolishly thought I had enough water, so skipped the 1 1/2 mile water stop so that I could just get there. Blisters had already popped on my feet, and the fatigue was starting to settle in. I pull over for a quick pee break and glance up towards the canyon to see a head lamp shining up at the top. Almost there! I keep going and see a runner descending my way. It was Canadian Craig, sweeping up runners. He had made it to Cottonwood, but turned around because of the heat so was going to be sweeping in runners for the next 3 hours! Thanks Craig! I was super relieved to see him and excited that I was going to make it in under 20 hours. I shuffle up the last bit to the applause of the other Canadians who had already finished. WOO. Water, bathroom, and TIME TO SIT DOWN. I called Bill and he came back to the trailhead so that we could wait for Krissy and Eric together.
47 miles. All day. Quite the adventure. I had always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, so happy that I got to experience it....Rim to rim to Rim. This is a one and done for me. Never again :) I would however gladly camp at one of the rest stops and sherpa other Rim to Rim to Rimmers in the future!

DONE! (I had already gone to the car to get my hat and coat and guzzle down water and a slice of pizza- thanks Bill!)

Thanks for the medals Krissy!!!

Saturday, May 2- OUCH! Stiffness, pain and fatigue worse than post Ironman. And my feet were a mess, so swollen that even as I write this three days later, I can't fit them into my normal shoes without discomfort. We are moving VERY slowly this morning (except Bill, because he is part machine). We decide to stay the night in Flagstaff, but not before visiting the Meteor Crater outside of Flagstaff, Arizona http://meteorcrater.com/ Flagstaff is a fun town that had lots of breweries for us to explore. We were a pretty chill bunch that night, but that didn't stop us from tasting the local brews.

Sunday, May 3- Sedona, AZ- Coffee Pot Restaurant for Omelettes and Waffles, then Slide Rock Park (A beautiful creek about 4 miles north of Sedona ) before heading home. A nice little dip in pretty cold water surrounded by the red rocks of Sedona was a great way to wrap up the trip.