Race #29

Once again, a delay in getting my race posting on the blog. After my trip to Wyoming I headed up to Martha’s Vineyard to hang out with a friend who is going through a rough time so let this update slip. My bad!

I tagged along to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with my good friends David and Lisa R. They were headed out for ten days of much deserved R&R and found a race for me to run while they were there. As always, it was fun to have a team Camille to support my efforts, but my time didn’t get better. I finished in 33:17, which did get me 43rd place overall. Yeah, yeah, I know there were only 100 runners but it just sounds so good to say 43rd overall! The course was relatively flat with a nice gradual downhill for the last half mile. I tried to turn on the heat but just didn’t have it in me.

The temperature was perfect for running, mid 40’s and sunny. What made the temps extra nice is that upon our arrival in Wyoming on Thursday the temperatures were in the 30’s and it was rainy and cold. It was so overcast that we couldn’t even see the Tetons when we flew in. In fact, I didn’t get my first look at the Tetons until the race when I turned the corner on Nelson Street and there they were, right in front of me. David and Lisa meanwhile, had yet to see these grand peaks. As they were taking me to the airport later in the morning, I kept telling them, “Just wait, we’re going to go around a turn just up ahead and they are going to be there, right there in front of you.” When we made that final turn, in our black Ford Mustang convertible, and they saw them for the first time, they were suitably impressed. I understand why my father just loved the area.

Not to get maudlin, but I really felt my father with me this weekend. This was by far his most favorite area in the country. I felt him as I was running, I felt him in the rainbow we saw on Friday that had the largest bands I have ever seen, I felt him in the art galleries we toured on Friday evening with all their western art, I felt him on our cold rainy/snowy float down the Snake River, and it was all good. I love you Pop.

This was our arrival in Jackson Hole. Behind those clouds are some pretty impressive mountain peaks. Remember we were coming from 90 degree temperatures so this was quite a shock to our system. We immediately began to question the wisdom of renting a Mustang convertible.

This was a fun place to stay. Each unit was a separate cabin that had two queen bunch beds, a two burner stove, microwave, sink, sofa bed, table, chairs and bathroom. It would technicall sleep six but I can't imagine having six people in there at one time if they weren't sleeping!

Two photos from our Snake River float. The day was almost biblical in that three times the float folks tried to deny us this ride. When we checked in they told us it was going to be cold and rainy on the water and they would issue us a refund if we wanted it. On the bus to the put in, the driver asked us again if we wanted to do this today. Then, the river guide laid it out for us, it was only going to get colder and wetter and he wasn't going to tolerate any whinning! The seven us went any way. David, Lisa and I were seated in the back of the raft so were somewhat protected by the other two couples. Thank goodness I'd grabbed a wool scarf from my mom before leaving North Carolina as I had that wrapped tight around my head the entire time. As the wind got more blustery and the snow flurries started, we really started to question our sanity. Everyone put up a good front and kept to the no whinning rule. When we finally got to the 8 mile put out for David, Lisa and I and the guide questioned the other two couples regarding the last five miles of white water they had signed up for, the boat emptied faster than rats from a sinking ship!! Enough already!!