I have waited to do a write up of the Zion Trainwreck, because I honestly don't quite know what to say about it - feel like I'm still processing everything that we did and saw in such a brief time - and am a bit speechless!!
Though I haven't been at this running thing for very long, I can easily say that this was the most fantastic run I have ever done - Breathtaking views, different scenery greeting you around every turn, intense climbs and quad crushing downhills, add in some great company and crappy weather and you've got one amazing time! I won't go into the full report because everyone else has done such a great job! Read 'em here if you haven't already: Jun, Josh, Scott.
Though we had to turn back and didn't complete the Train, it was well worth the trip! I also learned a lot - or was reminded about things that I already know, just seemed to let slip by me - it's funny how your brain seems to change focus when you're in the middle of a run, especially one as scenic as this one! Here are a couple of takeaways for me personally that I thought I'd share-
- I carried way too much crap...I like to be prepared,
but when you have to carry it all, its good to go light. I could
definitely tell a difference in my pace from the little extras I was
packing.
- I am a heavy sweater and MUST keep up on my
salt/electrolytes - I didn't take salt until 2 hours in and I ended up
feelin' it!
- Who you go with can make all the difference in the
world! This crew was the best!
- When I started to feel like I was going to crash and I
fell back a little at the beginning of the climb, Josh just kicked back
with me and helped me keep plugging along while I got everything balanced
again (which seemed to take forever!). It was fun with all the
switchbacks because, while you might be a couple hundred feet back, you
can still see and talk to each other for quite a while.
- As we neared the top of the climb and it the weather
was getting worse and the trail getting muddier, while I'm sure we were
all thinking it, Craig had the nuts to bring up and press the option of
turning around before we got ourselves into trouble. I would suspect that
many of the groups that do run into problems run into them because no one
wanted to bring up (and make) a tough decision.
- And then it’s always nice to have someone like Scott
around who is willing to, and offered on many occasions to, apply Glide
to all of those hard to reach places - even on non-runners (though I
don't think anyone ever took him up on it). :)
What a fantastic time - one I will not soon forget, and can't wait to get back down there and give it another go! I mean seriously!!!
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