I signed up for the Grizzly Peak marathon (really just over 25 miles with 5,550 feet of elevation gain) only a day or two before it sold out so I could get some time on my feet while running with other people and seeing new trails. I sure picked a good one! The course was two laps and because I knew I was going out for a casual run and that there was a half marathon and 30k starting at the same time, I started pretty far in back. What I didn't realize was how stuck I would feel for the ENTIRE first lap. It felt like we weren't even power hiking, but crawling up the hills, but I just went with the flow, took pictures and chatted a little bit with those around me.
As the second lap progressed, I passed about 6, 7 men, but... where are all the women? I started to wonder if I was up front, way in back, or how many women were even running this thing?
Starting in May I will be moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico to start my new job as a registered dietitian, and can hopefully get some higher altitude training in while I navigate a new life. Lots of adventures soon to come!