Happy Birthday to me!

What a GREAT way to celebrate getting older! The Rim to Rim to Rim run of the Grand Canyon is probably the best way for a first timer (ultrarunner) to see this amazing wonder. It was very special having Matt, Roch & Catherine, the Boulder & Steamboat crews (who just happened to be there doing the same run on the same weekend) there to help celebrate. With Roch & Catherine's help Matt and I were able to descend the south Kaibab trail and return on the Bright Angel trail, which conveniently ended on the doorstep of our little room at the Bright Angel Lodge. The run is spectacular! The views take your breath away and the realization of the age of the surrounding terrain makes you realize that turning 29… just isn’t that bad. All day at random times Matt either sang or wished me Happy Birthday, just to make sure I didn’t forget. I loved it.

Descending the south Kaibab trail is rocky and steep and loaded with switch backs. Matt took some awesome pictures and a few videos in the early morning and at sunrise. We arrived at Phantom Ranch 20 minutes before they opened, so we filled with water and headed for the north Kaibab trail. Climbing 14 miles from the bottom to the north rim and then descending those same 14 miles equaled my longest climb/descent ever... there are not many places that can wind up for that long. After we turned around at the north rim we started running into the rest of the gang R2R2R’ing it. We exchanged hugs and I received lots of birthday wishes. Back at Phantom Ranch Matt and I shared a lemonade and wrote postcards to the parents. Only one 9 mile climb to go and we were looking good for time. Halfway back up, I scored some fig newtons for us from a hiker and then only a few miles from the top we ran into Catherine and Roch who had hiked down to the river for lunch and timed it great to finish with us. Just for fun and to beat the 11 hour mark Matt and I sprinted the last quarter mile (well it was a sprint to us).

The rest of the evening was pretty mellow and typical post run energy. After showers and Ultragen we (Matt, Roch, Catherine and I) tried for dinner at the Arizona Room, but opted for the Maswik cafeteria. A great choice as we were well fed and on our way to pumpkin pie before we would have been sat at the restaurant. In our little room Matt lit candles and the three sang Happy Birthday. I got to make a wish and within minutes the entire pie was devoured.

We joined the Boulderites in the bar before calling it a night. Again a wonderful birthday celebration spent with some very dear friends. Thank you to Matt, Roch and Catherine – it is a birthday I will always remember and cherish.

I will post pictures (need to get those -112 total - from Matt) soon.