WEEK BEFORE
After already registering for the Santa Fe Thunder half
marathon, my friend approached me with a crazy idea to backpack the Grand
Canyon. At first, I said no way, as it was the same exact week of the race. But
after short consideration, I realized this was a once in a lifetime experience I
could not pass up. You see, my friend already knew someone that had done this
several times before that would be escorting us (note*free guide!) and he knew
the insides and outs of backpacking (note*free guide!). So I said yes and 6 of
us (5 that had never done anything like this before) set out to backpack the
Canyon for 4 days.
We flew into Vegas and drove the 3 ½ hours to Jacob Lake
Lodge, about 40 miles shy of the North Rim where our adventure would begin.
Jacob Lake Lodge has a hotel, motel, and cabins. I stayed in
a cabin which was a great set up; a bedroom on each side of the shared
bathroom. It was quite rustic, but we were about to sleep on the ground in the
upcoming days, so a bed was a plus at this point! The property had a small necessities
shop, a bakery, a bar, and a restaurant (2 separate menus in which I recommend
the main restaurant menu unless you want a sandwich).
Grand Canyon Day 1- We started at the Grand Canyon
Lodge North Rim in which we had our first breathtaking views of the Canyon. We
rubbed the mule statues nose (apparently a good luck tradition), got our
parking pass for the week, and started on the 7 mile North Kaibab Trail to
Cottonwood Creek campground.
The majority of the trail was straight downhill with sharp
switchbacks and was quite muddy with mule droppings (yes, people take mules
down and back). You quickly dropped elevation and it was cool to look back up
to see how far you just came. It was an interesting day as everyone was getting
used to the shock on how heavy our packs actually were (30-50lbs) and learning
our footing on the uneven ground. Then thunder was heard in the distance and it
started to sprinkle. Luckily, it only lasted long enough to dig out the
ponchos. There are 2 bathrooms (basically an upscale porta potty) and water
fountain on this trail; the 2nd stop being along a cold stream where
you can soak your feet.
Cottonwood campground was nicely spaced out between spots
for privacy and there is access to the stream to refresh the sore muscles.
There is a bathroom, fresh water as well as a ranger station.
Our early beautiful night (temps were perfect and stars are
gorgeous along the dark outline of the cliffs) was interrupted by a series of
storms that rolled through. Winds picked up and lightning seemed to be striking
relatively close. It was quite an experience being in only a tent in that type
of situation.
Grand Canyon Day 2- The next day consisted of another
7mile along the Kaibab Trail to Bright Angel Campground/Phantom Ranch, but also
an additional 2 miles to the Ribbon Falls, which is highly recommended. If you commit
to doing the falls, make sure you go the complete distance and do not turn
around after the first spotting of a waterfall. This is NOT it! There are a
couple of bamboo and stream crossings, as well as a boulder to scramble, but
once you arrive, you will know it! It was like a hidden oasis of greenery amidst
a desert canyon. After that, the hike went quick as the majority of the trail
is flat along the river.
Bright Angel Campground consists of camping right along the
Bright Angel Creek which runs into the Colorado River. Camp spots are practically
right on top of each other, so don’t expect privacy here. The creek was just
inches deep, but still nice enough to freshen up and relax sore muscles. There
is also a real bathroom with running water in a sink, water fill station, and
ranger station.
There is also Phantom Ranch which has a dormitory as well as
cabins. (for those that don’t want to backpack). There is a restaurant/bar combo
which you can preorder meals (they shut down from 4-8p for this) or you can
just hang out and order drinks. A must is sending a postcard that is carried
back up by mule!
There are a few short hikes to do if you need more miles. A couple
of us did a 2mile one along the beautiful Colorado River were we got to see the
rafters take off. (you can do a multi day/night rafting experience down the
river). There was a guest speaker, a traveling artist hiking through the Canyon,
painting along the way, as well as ranger talk for entertainment through the
evening. This was our latest night of the week, but still asleep by 830p being
pitch dark out. The stars were once again mesmerizing.
Grand Canyon Day 3- Our mornings consistently started
about 430a to eat breakfast, drink some amazingly good instant coffee, and pack
up camp. From Bright Angel Campground was a simple 5miles along Bright Angel Trail
to Indian Garden Campground. This was the first of the two days of inclines. It
went entirely too quick (or we left entirely too early) and I almost just wanted
to keep going. We literally had all day to sit around and relax. I disliked this
campground the most. Mainly because there wasn’t a stream to sit in like the
others.
Camp spots were spread out better. It seemed this was the
smallest campground as well. There was the usual bathroom/porta potty and water
refill station as well as ranger station. There was also a box of books and
games available, which I did not find until too late, but was a great idea to
relax the day away
At sunset we set out for Plateau Point which was a 3mile
roundtrip hike to a cliff that looked out across the Canyon, and down at the
Colorado River. This was probably the most amazing experience of the entire
trip! We sat up there for hours as the sun set, the colors of the Canyon
changing colors as the sun set. The traveling artist was there too capturing
the moments. It was just absolutely peaceful.
Grand Canyon Day 4-The day we were warned about….the
toughest of the inclines….almost 5 miles on Bright Angel Trail to the top of the South Rim
of Grand Canyon. The view remained almost the same entire day’, just from
farther and farther away. (it was cool though to see the trail in the
distance). There were a ton of switchbacks getting you up the mountain and once
you hit a rhythm, it was hard to slow down. Because of this, our group of 6
pretty much split up and met at the top.
There are two bathroom/water refill stops on this trail. At
the top, the South Rim seems much bigger than the North Rim. There is a
complete village, different lodging options, as well as restaurants/bars to choose
from. We freshened up in the Bright Angel Lodge and had breakfast at the Bright
Angel Restaurant (note, they do not serve alcohol. WHAT?!) We could not get
enough scrumptious food! As we waited for our shuttle back to the North Rim (a
4hour drive) we had drinks at the El Tovar lounge.
Luckily, the shuttle driver was nice enough to drop the
girls of our group off at Jacob Lodge, as they had to pass by there anyways to
get to North Rim, as the men continued to pick up the car.
Dinner and another night was had a Jacob Lodge before we
headed back over to Las Vegas.
Day 5-Las Vegas-of course we had to celebrate our
accomplishment of conquering the Grand Canyon, and spent a late nighter on the
Strip. My early flight out to Albuquerque was a tough one!
ABOUT SANTA FE
THUNDER
Santa Fe Thunder hosts a half marathon, 5k and 1mile run
hosted by Global Running Culture, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to
empower youth through participation in sports.
I chose the race for my New Mexico half marathon, as the ‘downhill
course’ was tempting, plus with work, I was able to secure a complimentary
weekend at The Inn of the Five Graces. This Inn is probably the coolest hotel I
have ever stayed in. The artwork, décor, and mosaic tiles throughout the adobes
are absolutely stunning. You could sit there relaxing for hours just staring at
the beauty and see something new every five minutes. (note*the artist hides her
name in your room). The property is working on creating a lovely spa and spa
pool, but in the meantime, this is not messed as there are several beautiful
and welcoming courtyard areas to lounge on swings, chaise lounges, or eve have
your complimentary breakfast delivered to the tables set up outside next to the
water fountain. It was an absolute perfect getaway for relaxation after the
active week I had!
COURSE
The bragging rights of this half marathon is that the course
that is ‘all downhill’. Well, except for the first couple of miles which they did
warn would be uphill. Buts only a few hundred feet compared to the 1,000
overall elevation loss.
COMMUNICATION
Santa Fe Thunder has an active Facebook community and has a well-organized
website. Emails were on par and informative.
PACKET PICKUP
Packet pick up was at the same place as the Start, which is
always good to familiarize yourself. Unfortunately there were no running
supplies to purchase (GU, power bars, socks if you forgot them, etc). They did
have a couple of local shirts, but not race specific items. And there were a
couple of local vendors selling handmade items which was unique to the area. Sports
Authority was there giving away items from a spinning board as well as coupons.
(unfortunately SA doesn’t exist where I live any longer).
We did get a race specific water bottle in our packet which is
always cool and I won a 2nd water bottle form Sports Authority.
PARKING AND
SHUTTLES
Shuttles started at 545a from Buffalo Thunder, where we were
to finish, for the 8am start at Marcy Field. Parking at Buffalo Thunder was
expansive, so there weren’t any issues there. Getting out of the car and
walking over to the shuttle, on the other hand, we were warned there was a bear
or mountain lion growling nearby, so to watch out. Say WHAT?! Thankfully it
never returned!
As soon as I got on the bus, about 7 of us were talking (or
bragging) about how many half marathons and states we have completed. After 5
years of me doing this, it seems it so commonplace for a large majority of runners
bucket lists include running the 50 states. I feel like I no longer stand out
on my mission. I still tried to spread the word on The Donna, the reason why I do
this, as a couple was from Florida and still never heard of it. The lady I sat
next to was about to run her first half marathon. Being my normal self, I barely
glanced at the course map, but she was explaining we were pretty much driving
it to get to start. That is always disheartening. I much rather prefer the
course to be a surprise.
There was also mention of a ‘very limited’, ‘not sure if it
will be available’ shuttle from the Buffalo Thunder back to Santa Fe after the
race. I would have loved more information on this, as this was my destination
race so stayed right in the heart of Santa Fe, walking distance from start.
START
It was a cool morning in the upper 40s as I still had an
hour and a half to wait for the sun to rise and for start. Luckily I brought my
gloves and layered my clothes as they had a bag check. I found a small hallway
into a locked bathroom which over looked the ballfield and hung out to get away
from the wind. Lots of people started running or walking the laps to warm up. Once
the sun rose, it started to warm up nicely. Temps were to rise to the upper 70s
during the race.
Porta potty lines were not as bad as some people complained.
It seemed pretty normal to me. I got to go 3 times before start. They handed
out bottled water which is always good if you didn’t bring your own.
There were no pacers or any official line up. I put myself
in the back as I knew I was not a good hill runner, and who knows how I was
going to feel after backpacking the Grand Canyon.
RESULTS
The goal here was to just survive as who knew how I was
going to feel after hiking 30 miles of the Grand Canyon! However, I felt good,
not sore at all, and the course ‘was’ downhill…..so why couldn’t I PR?
As soon as we left the Starting area, we literally were
going straight up. It was a doozy of a first mile. The second ‘hill’/mile didn’t
seem nearly as bad. Then it was ‘all downhill’ from there. Except…..1,000 feet
stretched out for 11 miles really isn’t ‘that’ big of downhill. There were a
few spots where I could really pick up speed as it seemed like more of a decline.
But then rolling hills would show up. The majority of the course runs alongside
the highway on a side road, and actually crosses over a couple of times, so there
are inclines with the ramps as well. This was not exactly the decline I was
expecting. However, I do have to admit for running at 7,000 feet, my lungs were
not overworking as much as I would think, so maybe the decline was working? The
scenery was basically the mountains in the far distance and you pass a cool
spot called Camel Rock. They did have a few musical talents out at different
spots and even some belly dancers came out!
After the first couple of miles, I knew I had to run hard to
make up those extra minutes if I wanted to PR. At first it seemed possible,
but as the small hills kept coming, I basically gave up knowing this wasn’t the
course I was expecting. I basically just continued on without pressure. I finished
in my normal 2:25, which to me is still impressive with about 30miles already
on my legs from the same week hiking the Grand Canyon and running at elevation
when Im used to sea level. I will take it!
FINISH LINE
The Finish Line didn’t provide much, but they did have a recovery
green juice (not to my liking) and popsicles which are always good after a hot
race, but it really wasn’t that hot out. There were a couple other snacks, but
the thing that gets me is they were selling real food like hamburgers and beer.
Id rather them just add an extra $5 to the registration and provide a meal for
the runners, especially since you still had to drive back to town (if you did not
stay at Buffalo Thunder).
PHOTOS
An awesome plus with this race is the photos are free to
download. They seemed to be really good pictures and the photographers were
located in 3-4 different spots including the finish. However, it seems there is
a huge gap missing at the Finish Line and I do not have a single picture.
SHIRT/MEDAL
I really like how the shirt and medal stick with the same
theme. The shirt is gender specific and sizing is right on. The wording on the
medal however is almost illegible; the font just needs to be larger. 
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Overall, I think Santa Fe is a really unique and cultural destination
to experience. However, Santa Fe Thunder half marathon does not really incorporate
that into their course. To walk around the city and experience the history is
amazing. To run the course, you don’t really see this being outside of downtown. With that said, I would still
recommend this high elevation, easy downhill race. It supports a great charity for
our youth and really is quite organized from beginning to finish. Like any race,
there could be small improvements to make this an outstanding race, but nothing
to stop me from recommending to make a weekend out of this destination. Stay at
Buffalo Thunder for a night maybe for the race, but also stay in the heart of
Santa Fe to be truly surrounded by the New Mexican culture. www.donate.breastcancermarathon.com/2016-marathon/melissajohnson