Moab Trail Run

My buddy Sam and I ran the Moab Trail Half Marathon on November 5th.

It was awful!! But it was also pretty AWESOME!!

The first few miles I really struggled, the trail was nothing but rocks, it was raining, they were slippery and I twisted my ankles a couple of times. But once I got through those, it wasn't as hard.

It was really cold in the morning, and silly me, wore TWO jackets (and 3 shirts), which seemed like a great idea..... at first!

This is Sam and I getting ready to head out :)

Both excited and scared at the same time!!

 The line of people trekking through a trail that looks a little easier than it actually was :)

 Even though it was raining, it was still a beautiful sight.

 Chuggin along....

 Sam is always so happy to kick his own ass :)

I call him a machine, because he never quits, nothing ever phases him, and he can do anything if he wants to.

Hes my inspiration and motivation :)

 Puttin on a happy face....

 "Oh I need a break!"

Notice the jackets I was sure I would "need"....

10 minutes in I had to take them off.

At the 6 mile marker I gave them to the folks running the aid station.

They really were just too much weight dragging me down and they irritated more than anything else.

 Looks steep doesn't it.... :) 

After this I had to leave my camera with my jackets. The rain started coming down way too hard and I didn't want to ruin what pictures I already had by drenching or destroying my camera.

But I do wish I could have gotten photos of what was coming next.

The "rock climbing", the ice cold rivers we had to trek through, the more than slippery quick sand type mud I almost lost my shoes in a couple of times....etc

But mostly, there were spots that were so beautiful, I had to stop and lean against a rock to admire what I had been missing (due to the fact that it was safer to watch your feet while you ran)

It was a painful experience, but I loved that we did it! And I am pretty sure we'll be doing it again next year....