Vacation Races.

I completed the Zion 50k in April of 2021. I did not write about it, but it was an adventure. Vacation races put on an amazing event with a course filled with beautiful sights that surrounded Zion National Park. It was the first time I witnessed a 100-mile race and participated by pacing my friend through her last 20 miles of her 100 to the finish.

Fast forward two years later. I have completed races longer than a 50k including two 100 milers (Javelina Jundred and Rocky Raccoon). Going into Antelope Canyon I opted for the 50 miler knowing it was a distance I could do and I would be experiencing the same course as the 100 milers, except they had to do the last loop around the city of Page on the Plateau 6 times.

Reading the course description, I knew there was deep sand to run through, but I also knew that it took us runners on an amazing journey through the Navajo Nation that most people are not able to see. This included Upper Antelope Canyon and an area of Horseshoe Bend that was on Navajo trails. This also meant that I would be running along the rim of Horseshoe Bend. I knew I would be on the rim as I was also on the rim of the mesa in Zion. My friends, traveling partners, and fellow runners all knew I was scared of heights and reminded me of these height challenges along with the ladder down into Water Hole Canyon. The previous day our group visited Lower Antelope Canyon where we had to traverse a staircase to get down that was scary for me. I wanted to prepare myself as much as possible for this ladder in the race, so I decided to google pictures and previous runners’ blogs. Everything pretty much confirmed what I expected along with more details. The three main points that previous runners mentioned was the tough climbing, the sand, and Water Hole Canyon. Here is my take on Antelope Canyon.

As with any ultra, the start was slow and in the dark as the pack proceeded across the start line. We ran a little over a mile before we crossed the road and approached our first obstacle, climbing over the first mesa. I opted to use the words “climbing” as you are single file over this mesa as a Navajo guide greeted us. You do need to climb on all fours over this mesa as there are no foot holds and nothing to grab onto. I thought to myself “so the adventure begins.” The group then proceeds down through the sand to the first aid station at 6.1 miles. From there you run another 2 miles to Upper Antelope Canyon. This was fun as everyone pulled out their cells to capture this moment which illuminated the dark canyon walls. From there the pack scrambled back up a hill and procced back to the aid station at 11.8 miles. There was more climbing up canyon walls and the sand was deep in this section between 6.2 and 11.8. The thoughts were to go as hard as you could but also not to wear yourself out. Which also brought the question, “how long can I maintain this pace?” because I knew the sand was present for about 60% of the course.

The saving grace of the day at this point was the skies. The skies were cloudy and we never got to enjoy a beautiful sunrise. I did let out a yell as the skies did change from dark to daylight, which was reminded to me in the blessing of the land the day before by the Navajo people. The rain in the preceding days kept the sand somewhat hard and was not as loose as it could be. I got my first boost of the day as I saw the beauty of the land around me. I bolted ahead with the energy and confidence I can complete this race. I was far ahead of the grim reaper and was ready for the next obstacles of the course.

The course then proceeded to cross the road and onto the next loop of the course. The 50k runners started on this course and at this point you could start to see them returning. The next aid station was slick rock at 17.8. Immediately after the aid station you had to traverse the slick rock and then onto another sandy long road. There was another hill but this one I could run up. This led down a long road to the horseshoe aid station at 20.6. This aid station was great fun as this was the first place 100 and 50 milers could pick up crew on the second pass. Also crew was allowed so there was a lot of support as you came in. After leaving the aid station, you head down a sandy trail and then cross a road. This is where I knew we were nearing the Horseshoe bend portion of the course. The road was for people driving to the visitor center. Where we were going was across the road, where the Navajo trail started. The trail ran down another sandy path which led directly to the end of the cliff. This is where it gets fun as I saw the runners in front of me second guess themselves as you had to go around the post over the cliff to get to the other side. There was a pink ribbon there, so I knew this was the correct maneuver.  Not looking behind me I made the bend and was on the slick rock covering the land overlooking Horseshoe Bend. A lot of people were stopping to take in the view and take pictures. I proceeded to go forward staying as close to on the trail as possible but not too close to the edge. I found others that were also scared of heights who followed my lead. The blogs were correct, you do need to traverse over the slick rock and climbing is involved. It is hard to move quickly over the slick rock which will slow you down. You are on this section for about 2 miles. Until you start to veer to the South but you are still going over slick rock. And just as the course map shows, you head back to another view of the Colorado river as you go along the edge again. This time it is about a mile. I was very happy to get off this section of the course and make it to the next aid station at mile 27.5. I was lucky to catch up with someone from my group and we started to the next part of the course. I also knew Water Hole Canyon was coming up as my next challenge. I just didn’t know how soon.

Within a few feet of the aid station you started going down what felt like into a canyon that directed you with ropes like you were at a red carpet event, but I knew I wasn’t and I didn’t think this was going to be easy. As I rounded the bend it hit me that we were in LINE for the ladder into Water Hole Canyon. I had accepted the fact I was required to climb down the ladder but not wait in line. I am normally a patient person but this time I was not as the line is formed along the edge of the canyon. I did not log the total time we stood there but my watch clocked a 47 minute mile during this time period. I am grateful for the people around me who talked to me to keep my mind off the edge behind me. Once I was on the ladder I felt fine and was happy to get this part over with. The next section involved running through the lower part of the canyon which involved a series of short ladders to climb up and even made you laugh as there was a car nestled along one of the ladders. (I looked up the car and all I could find was that it wrecked off route 89. Why it is still there or the details of the wreck, I do not know). This section was fun and tricky as the canyon consists of boulders to go over and there were pools of water from the rain the day before and today. Emerging from the canyon I felt a sense of relief as the next part of the race was to head back to horseshoe aid station for the second time at mile 32.3 and then head back towards Page for the final loop. My relief was short lived as the rain picked up and actually really started to get heavy. I pulled my coat out of my vest as I was thankful I kept it on me. Back at the aid station the rain continued. I reminded myself as I have run through other races and distances in more substantial rain. At this point there was roughly only 18 miles left and the hard part was over. We headed back to Page with the mindset of just getting this over with. I was excited to get onto the Page rim trail as previous race reports and the race description noted this section as being “very runnable” and enjoyable with views of Lake Powell. This was proven wrong today.

To get to the Page rim trail, you have to run up another hill to the water only aid station at 38.4. It was cool being level with planes as they flew into the Page airport. But on top of the rain, two other hurdles presented themselves: the wind and now mud. It had rained so much at this point that the nice hard packed Page rim trail had turned to sloppy mud that coated your shoes and provided no traction. Streams of water were pouring off the plateau that you were required to cross. On the bright side, the water cleaned off your shoes. These 10 miles along the Page rim trail were the longest because you could not move fast enough through the mud. By the time we had circled the entire rim the sun had set. The water only aid station proved to be a welcomed site as it marked where you exited the trail and headed down towards the finish line. From there it was a quick 3 miles to the finish. I say quick as I could run and wanted to run this section. I was happy that the end was in site not only mentally but literally as the lights around the ball field were showing me the way to the finish.

Looking back, I am so happy to have not only finished but started. I had extreme anxiety going into this with the heights and the fear of the unknown, that I almost didn’t start. It’s amazing how during an ultra, your mind can make you think negative thoughts. The sand in the beginning really slowed me down and made me worried about how much of this I could endure. I could not have done this event without my friends. Either by running alongside each other, crewing, or pacing, we make a good team. It’s funny as I write this, I am in my room back at the Airbnb where I noticed for the first time since being here a quote by John Wayne on my wall. I feel its fitting for this event and anything that challenges you.

“Courage is being scared to death – but saddling up anyway.” John Wayne