Grand Canyon: R2R2R

 We got a big group of our IFTR friends together to go run Rim to Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon. This was the second time doing it for Mark and I, but we brought Bailey with us this time, so it was extra cool. It's one of my all time favorite runs, and even after doing it twice, I'd still like to go back in a couple years for round three. We started at the south rim and ran down the South Kaibab trail, across the box (or bottom) of the canyon, and up the North Kaibab Trail to the north rim. Then we turned around and retraced our steps back down, and finish by climbing back up to the south rim via the Bright Angel Trail. It's about 50 miles and 11,000 feet of climbing. It's no joke, but the whole thing is spectacular! 

There were 12 of us total. Seven of us flew down, and 5 people drove down.
Mark-Steph-Joyce-Jenn-Michelle-Tricia-Bailey

We traveled down on Thursday, spent Friday touring around the south rim, and just getting ourselves prepared for the next day's adventure.

We had a 5:00 AM start, with a nice warm up to the trailhead from our lodge. 

This is the only time we were all together. We just split off into whatever pace was comfortable for us. Some of us ran in little groups and were together for a while, and some people were even solo for parts of it. We kept track of everyone via our InReaches. It's so cool knowing we have so many friends just as adventurous and crazy as we are.

Heading down in the dark. It's so fun to see the big row of headlamps snaking down into the canyon in the dark.

Mark heading down into the canyon.

Bailey and I enjoying the sunrise.

Once the sun was up, our views were amazing!

Skeleton Point

Running down the south rim.

Amanda took this picture of Mark, Bailey and I running down the South Kaibab Trail.

We made it to the bottom. Through the tunnel and across the Colorado River we go!

Looking back at the bridge we used to cross the river.

The seven mile stretch through the bottom of the canyon is called the box. It's probably my favorite part! It's just gorgeous!

Running through the box.

😂😂😂

Bailey in the box.

Mark and I climbing to the north rim.

This section of trail was carved into the side of a cliff. It's crazy!

Bailey

Mark

Tricia

Running up to the north rim.

It's a good feeling to make it to the Supai Tunnel. It's a rough seven mile climb to the north rim, and once you reach the tunnel, you only have two miles to go! It was really hot, and we were running out of water at this point. Bailey was getting light headed and dizzy, so we stopped to eat lunch here. Mark pressed on, because his water was about gone, and he was struggling. He just needed to keep moving towards the top where we could refill water.

The north rim!

We got plenty to eat and drink, cooled off, and went to the bathroom at the north rim. Then it was time to start the long journey back across.

Running down from the north rim.

The views running back this way are so good!

We loved having Bailey on this adventure with us.

We stopped at Phantom Ranch on our way back through and got the famous lemonade. It just hits different down there!

We ran really good through the box on the way back, but once we got to the ranch Bailey really started feeling the fatigue. We had to gear up for a long climb out. 

Bailey really struggled the last five miles. This was the farthest she has ever gone, and the most elevation she's done by far. We kept wondering when she would hit the wall, and we were impressed she did so good for so long. For the last few miles, we'd have her keep moving as best she could for a half mile, then sit down on a rock and rest for three minutes. We did this until we reached the top. 

We made it! Such a huge accomplishment. We were so proud of Bailey!

We drove back to the hotel, slept, and then headed back to the airport the next morning.

Our final picture at the sign.

This whole Grand Canyon trip was part of Bailey's law school graduation gift. It included a medal to remember our adventure. I ordered them right when we got home, and they turned out so good!

This was the longest run of our 100 mile training program. It gave us confidence that if we can do this, we should be about ready for our race in a month.