So my so-called friends Paul and Mykl decided to do the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim without me, eh? Hmmm...nothing like being left off the list to motivate me to match or better their accomplishment...
Seriously, running the Grand Canyon has been on my list for awhile. Why? I could say "because it's there" but that would be inadequate. I've been to the GC several times and, however perverse this may sound, running it seems to be the best way to experience it. You avoid the mules, tourists and expense of riding, hiking or rafting it. You get serious exposure to the geography and you get it done in a day.
BTW, the "run" is 48 miles with 10,000+ feet of gain and 10,000+ feet of loss. Ouch!!!!
I had talked with my friend Shannon last Fall and we both had interest. So, when I saw Paul's trip report, I emailed her about doing it and the answer was "yes"! She added her friend Megan so now we have a team of a surgeon, an ER doc and a Wilderness First Responder, so we should have the medical taken care of! So, onto the training...
Oh, I haven't even done a marathon yet...what am I thinking?!? Well, I've done some pretty long runs/hikes/climbs at elevation, so I think putting in the miles + some serious elevation is the main thing training wise. So, now I'm planning on running up some of the local mountains I usually hike up like San Jacinto (10,834'), San Gorgonio (11/060') and doing lots of hill repeats!
I'll mix in some Xterra races, a 50K and some crazy long bike rides as well.
Can you say "ultra"?
Seriously, running the Grand Canyon has been on my list for awhile. Why? I could say "because it's there" but that would be inadequate. I've been to the GC several times and, however perverse this may sound, running it seems to be the best way to experience it. You avoid the mules, tourists and expense of riding, hiking or rafting it. You get serious exposure to the geography and you get it done in a day.
BTW, the "run" is 48 miles with 10,000+ feet of gain and 10,000+ feet of loss. Ouch!!!!
I had talked with my friend Shannon last Fall and we both had interest. So, when I saw Paul's trip report, I emailed her about doing it and the answer was "yes"! She added her friend Megan so now we have a team of a surgeon, an ER doc and a Wilderness First Responder, so we should have the medical taken care of! So, onto the training...
Oh, I haven't even done a marathon yet...what am I thinking?!? Well, I've done some pretty long runs/hikes/climbs at elevation, so I think putting in the miles + some serious elevation is the main thing training wise. So, now I'm planning on running up some of the local mountains I usually hike up like San Jacinto (10,834'), San Gorgonio (11/060') and doing lots of hill repeats!
I'll mix in some Xterra races, a 50K and some crazy long bike rides as well.
Can you say "ultra"?
