What a beautiful morning for a 5 mile run/walk.  This was the day for the 23rd annual Bryce Canyon(City- this is new) run along the canyon rim.  About 180 folks were registerred, some returning for many years to support the local Boy Scouts.

Paul, Elena-you remember her from camping, and I are in the race which beigins at 9AM.  Paul runs.  We are walkers or that's what I was told when I sent in the registration.  Off we go!  Walkers, runners, sightseers, and their dogs.

We all begin at a nice slow jogging pace.  E takes off like a bat out of you know where.  I begin walking after about 1/8 mile and Paul runs on.  E has disappeared from our sight and Paul soon cannot be seen either.  I continue at my nice walking pace and catch up with Jenna, a nurse, much my junior who is already getting tired.  We chat as we walk and I encourage her to keep up the pace.  One mile, water, which I cannot drink while walking.  So I dribble some on the back of my neck and carry the rest.  At 3 miles, more water, which I don't take, but continue to put water on my neck as I trudge along.   Terry, a 70 year old quad by-pass walker catches up and we all walk together, still encouraging Jenna to keep up with us.

The finish line is in sight-  Jenna falls way back but Terry and I catch up to a couple we had been closely following for a mile.  They are pooped and let us pass them.  Terry's wife is along the side and tries to talk to him, giving me a chance to get ahead.   Finally, the finish line and Paul and Elena are waiting for me with a banana and some water.

Elena had run the entire distance, saying she thought that was what she was supposed to be doing.  She was first place woman walker, which was great for her.  I had come in 13th overall and FIRST in my age group in the women's walk and suggested that next time she enter the correct race.  Paul had finished just before me and has decided that next time he may walk, even though he won a silver medal in his running age group this time.  Our times are comparable.

After a nice lunch provided by the race committee, door prizes and awards were handed out.  This time I maintained my time, not breaking my record and had at least 5 other competitors in my age group.  This is so much fun.  And all I ever want to do is just finish!

Happy Camping, all!  Susan

My Comments From: gypsymama August 26, 2007, 5:00 pm Oh  ps.....I've been responding to some of your blogs in a messed up way!  Don't know what I've done but my comments have your pictures.  Just when I thought I had this all figured out!  I don't even know if you can read them or not.  I'll try to do better.  patty From: gypsymama August 26, 2007, 4:59 pm Good for you Susan.....you finished first in my book!  You remain an inspiration to me.  I just got back from T. Roosevelt National Park after a few days.  Was truly relaxing, inspiring and I don't care to see another buffalo again!  Way too many.  Other than prairie dogs, that's all I saw.  Stayed in the park (north unit) camping for 2 nights and it was perfect weather and oh such solitude! gm/patty