Sedona

Sedona, What a place! What a place to start my training. Well, kind of. I did run the Lakeland 50 a month or so ago, the build up of that must count towards it, so long as I keep it up. People would often ask me, how do you train for something like that (the 50)? And the same will be asked I'm sure of the 100. The answer is, I'm not really sure but look forward to figuring it out along the way, and hopefully with the positive outcome of finishing and getting that all important medal (maybe we'll have that debate later?)
Anyway, as my husband says 'good acclimation training.' The heat certainly was a challenge, but I found that I coped well. We kept the time out short with a good mix of walking, stopping for photos and just enjoyed being out! And that's what it's all about. Being out, enjoying the scenery and appreciating being fit and able to. I take it for granted I'm sure. It has to be said that I am one for pushing self, feeling guilty if I don't think I've done enough (whatever that may be), and I guess a bit obsessive. So maybe training for 100 miles is not such a good idea? Or maybe I can use it to try and change that? Ensure I eat well, rest well and enjoy training with others rather than head down and go with no real purpose or goal other that 'because'. Our bodies are amazing and I want to learn to respect mine more, especially if I am going to want it to keep me going for a looooooooong way!

Oak Creek Canyon West Fork was amazing! Like nothing I've ever seen. It was so different from the days before going up to cathedral rock and chimney rock where the it was very exposed and dry, lots of cacti out to get us. Oak creek canyon was almost tropical, running through a gorge looking up to walls of rock and trees. When we got to the end of the trail (about 2 miles) we had a wade through the river and did some 'bundu bashing' (pushing through trees and bushes), to see if we could make our way further but I wasn't too keen on the scratches and getting covered in cobwebs, so we turned back and finished our day going up to Thomas point. It was a fun day, by no means easy...and that was less than ten miles out. All good though. I will try get pictures up but I'm a little slow with this blogging business so bare with me!