Zion National Park Centennial 10K Fun Run

Yep. Zion National Park is 100 years old. To commemorate this, they put on a 10K. When Jon and Donnarae told me about this - I think I may have still had my cast on. I was determined to be running again. I have had so many set-backs, I really wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. The only reason I ever sign up for races, is to motivate me to train for them. I was REALLY worried before this race. My shin splints have been HORRIBLE. Unless you have had them, I don't think anyone realizes how painful they are. I actually vomitted in a training run I was in so much pain. A few nights before the race, I went on a good run...no pain...felt GREAT. The week before the race, I did all the research on shin splints as I could, and really tried to prevent them. I wore heat patches on my shins before the race. Took ibuprofin before the race started, and all week had been icing my shins. I was VERY hopeful it would pay off.

We were bused into the park, and dropped off a little ways after the weeping rock trail. The race committee invited us all to the next 10K which would be in another 100 years - free of charge - then we were off.

The first 1/3 of a mile was pretty steep downhill - which then went to a pretty steep uphill - which I managed to run halfway up. (That's a huge feat for me.) Because of the starting off of the hills, my shins were in BAD shape. For the first half of the race I kept stopping to stretch - hoping if I could get them stretched and worked out, all would be well. Troy ran this race also - and decided whether I walked or ran, he was going to stay with me. I kept encouraging him to leave me, but he wanted to stay. Everytime I stopped to stretch, there was this lady - in silver pants and a pink sweatshirt - who would job by me. Then, after I stretched for a bit, I would jog past her while she was walking. She jokingly said - I guess we're going to do this the whole race! Ummm...that fired me up. I thought - my whole summer last year was devoted to running. I am a runner! I am not someone who signed up for this race just cause it was beautiful. I am a runner! I will run this and beat you! So, halfway through, my shins finally felt good, and I finished the last half strong - the quickest I have ever done a 5k - and it was the last half of a 10k. I smoked the lady in silver pants. I feel so good about that race. I know I had problems in the beginning. But the course was INCREDIBLE. It was an awesome runners course! Not to mention the scenery gorgeous. In the past 8 months I hadn't been able to run due to all of my foot problems, and I had overcome it. Yes, I was by far the last one in the family to come in. Everyone had gotten bored with waiting by the finish line by the time I had gotten there. I choose to think that I'm the grand finale. I am very proud of myself...and if I can do it...anyone can! Here are a few photos...

This is all of us who knew each other before the race began. 14 total. Kenny and Cherice and their girls after the race.
Troy and I almost to the finish line.
Erin came up from Las Vegas to run the race. Her sister also came from Provo to run it. Here we are at the finish line.
Here is my racing shirt, ipod...number...Like I mentioned previously, I could not have gotten through without my music.
See...I am a runner.