Hurricane, UT – Sand Hollow State Park
Twelve loops. Twelve at times mind numbing loops. Twelve times to see the iconic MM black cone marking the turn around for the out and back loop. Twelve rubber bands around the wrist at marathon’s end. The night before in Vegas I slapped two glow rings on as a 1/6 tribute to my Mainly Marathons runcation.
It was 45 degrees at the start, the super moon setting into dawn; but with the sun rising in the sky and limited to no shade cover, it was 70 at the finish.
If last night was a grind on the Strip, this was a struggle beyond grinderdome. It was to say the least humbling. Several of my veteran Mainlyners said to me, “I’m glad to know you’re human…”. All too human, with all too often the frailties, insecurities, and imperfections that implies.
I’m reminded why I keep registering for these series — it’s nice to run with the mainly marathon crew. That includes both those on the course and those who make the day possible. They said they’d miss me, which is a nice thing to hear, all the more so as I think they meant it sincerely. I was remiss in snapping photos with folks but will endeavor to remedy that over the next few days.
Day 1 in the books. A just shy of 4 hour finish. I kept bargaining with myself on the loops to try and get to that rock outcropping or that pole or that sign for a walk break.
I rarely made it to the aspirational landmark and walked far more than I had meant to mentally; but physically, I may not have walked enough. Tomorrow will decide but for now it’s a chance to sleep in an actual bed rather than a rental car; perchance to dream rather than toss and turn bumping the steering wheel or the parking brake.
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As a quick note aside, I did stop in at the Hurricane Pioneer Museum to see a 70+ year old slab of bacon and a 100+ year old fruitcake. The latter no doubt tastes as good as the day it was made.
And one final note – I suspect I’ve made this joke before but…
It’s true. Rufus T. Firefly. Mrs. Teasdale. All of it. It’s all true.
Hail, hail Freedonia.