Draper Trail Days

Each year there is an event called Draper Trail Days at the Equestrian Center near corner canyon. They have a lot of fun events including an uphill bike challenge race, National Guard climbing wall, food, miniature ponies from Howdy Town, and a 4 mile/6 mile/10 mile or 15 mile trail run. Last year, I helped out at one of the water stations for the runners up in the canyon, but this year I decided to participate in the run itself! When you sign up, you have to choose which distance you want to complete. I kept debating between the 6 mile and the 10 mile, but decided I would push myself and do the 10 mile. The night before the race, I ate pasta and woke up an hour before we had to leave to do extended stretches. I ate a powerbar for breakfast but could only force half of it down! When I stepped outside, I realized it was raining and started to worry the race would be cancelled, but when we pulled into the Equestrian Center, everything was going on as normal. I signed in and armed with my ipod and powerbar gel we began the race at 8:15. To begin, all racers took the same path. At the first water station, the 6, 10 and 15 milers branched off from the 4 milers. We continued our climb up the mountain and after what seemed like forever, we were able to run downhill for a while, which was a needed relief. The veiw at that point was absolutely beautiful, I could see over the whole valley. While the rain had left some very muddy areas, it was the perfect temperature. The trail took me back to the first water station and the 6 milers headed back down the canyon and the 10 and 15 milers took a different route. This area of the race I was pretty tired but I had slurped down my energy powergel and had some renewed strength. After 2 1/2 more miles, I reached the 10 mile turn around point. The 15 mile runners continued on from that point but I was ecstatic to be heading back. It felt great to be able to tell other runners that they had almost reached the turn around point. From there, I headed one last time to the water checkpoint and then I got to head back to the equestrian center. When I got to the finish line and saw Jeremy, my mom and my little bro Tanner waiting for me, I was so relieved to be done! After that, Tanner wanted to ride the buckin bronco so we watched him do that, and then we got to see the National Guard apache helicopter take off, which was amazing. The man standing next to where i was sitting on the curb actually partially fell on top of me, the force from the helicopter was so strong! We had to head to Costco after to pick up a few things and I looked at Jeremy and said, my face feels like it is covered in dirt, does it look like it? He laughed and said, no it is covered in salt from your sweat. I looked in the mirror and my face was absolutely covered in dried salt. It looked like I had taken a face plant in the ocean!

As soon as I got home, I soaked in the warmest bath ever for about an hour. My legs were sore as could be but they tensed up and hurt worse if I was sitting or standing for long periods of time. We went to see that new Zohan movie of Adam Sandlers and I had to get up and walk around for a bit because my legs were so uncomfortable. Luckily, by Sunday they were still sore but bearable! The pain was definately worth the sense of accomplishment I felt for completing a goal of mine!