Moab 5 MIle Race

SORRY BUT THIS IS A LONG POST!

This weekend was the Moab race. There is 10 day registration period around Thanksgiving and then it is a lottery drawing to pick the 5000 that will race in March. When I registered in November I wondered what the chances were that I would be chosen two years in a row. Also, when I registered my goal was to be able to run the whole race and have this be a good comeback after all my injuries from racing last year. Well I did get drawn for the race and Jenni was registered to run with me but things didn't go quite as planned. I am still suffering from problems with my sciatic nerve and I did not train as hard as I did last year. So instead of this being a comeback race it was an inspirational race for me; there will be more races this year and by the end of the year I will be running a lot further.

My great support team - Jenni (who run with me) and Dale (who cheered us on).

We were on our way to Moab and we were almost to Provo Canyon when Jenni said, "Oh no, I forgot my glasses." A few minutes passed and she said, "Oh no, I forgot my shoes!". After a quick discussion Jenni decided she would just buy new shoes in Provo since her others were old and worn out anyway.

Us the night before modeling the hats we got for running the race.

Saturday morning bright and early heading out to catch the shuttle.

Getting ready to climb into the shuttle (the 2nd shuttle right around 7:30 am).

(The girl driving the shuttle nearly got hit when she pulled out in front of a car when she was taking us up the canyon - it was a little scary!)

Looking up at the rocks from our starting point.

Jenni just waiting for the start

Once we got up the canyon we had about 2 hours until the start of the race. Last year the temperature was in the 20's in the canyon and it was about 40 when we finished. This year was much nicer. It was in the 70's Friday night around 7:00 when we were walking around Moab and Saturday morning it was around 40 when we caught the shuttle and it was in the 50's when we finished - it was very pleasant.

Me and Jen just hanging out

still waiting

Me, Jen and our new friend Kim from Denver

There is a lot of time just hanging around waiting so we talked to a lot of people. We met Kim who was running the 5 mile alone (her husband and one of his friends were running the half marathon) and became fast friends. We even paced each other through most of the race.

After waiting for two hours while they get everyone transported up the canyon for the two races it was time to get in position for the race. We walked about a half mile down the canyon to the starting point. This is a shot of the people in front of us. There were people of all ages. It was fun to see a couple of families that were doing the race together (Grandparents, parents and their kids).

Just before we got to the mouth of the canyon there were these drummers beating on their drums and encouraging the runners on. Last year this was a real emotional point for me as it was again this year.

All a long the way there are people cheering everyone on, some are even ringing cowbells. When we got into town there are even kids lining the streets with their hands out that want the runners to hit their hands as they run by.

If you look close you can see us approaching the finish line

Right after crossing the finish line

(I really felt like I want to puke)

Jenni wasn't moving too fast because her new shoes had worn blisters on her feet.

(It really isn't a good idea to leave your shoes home and have to run a race in brand new shoes)

When the race was over we had about 15 minutes to get checked out of our room so we hurried back so that Jenni could shower and then we went back to the finish line.

Here we are headed to get a snack.

They had gatorade, water, chocolate milk, rolls, a variety of fruit, cheese and cookies for the runners

We got a snack and then headed over here to the sea of green bags to get the clothing we had discarded at the start line.

When we checked in on Friday we were given a bag for putting things in at the start line and then they bring it to the finish line. They told us that anything that is discarded along the way will be picked up and donated to charity. While we were running there was an older lady in front of us who kept picking up things that had been discarded and trying things on. She picked up a jacket and carried it a little ways and then she found another that she must have liked better because she tried it on and it appeared she was going to keep it. There were some other ladies in front of us who kind of rudely told the lady she shouldn't take other people's things because some people come back to pick up their things. The older lady took off the coat and threw it down in the weeds.

After getting our snack and our green bags then it was time to check our results.

I didn't do quite as well as last year but we did finish and it has given me motivation to work harder and to do another race.

It really is an emotional thing for me when I reflect back on what I have done and realize that I have never been athletic in my life.

Jen and Me after the race

Thanks Jenni for being my running partner (It really is funner to have someone to run with)!

Dale, Me and Jen

We are headed out of town and Jenni kept taking pictures of me so I had to turn around and then she was telling me that I really needed to turn around and watch where I was driving.

The three of us with an ice cave behind us

Towards the top of Soldier Summit there was this cool ice cave

It was a fast trip (Left Friday and came back Saturday) but it was a good time!