Saturday, September 12, I started, along with about 140 other marathoners on a scenic journey through the geologic history of central Utah.  The Little Grand Canyon Marathon started a mile or two from Huntington and proceed through a vast open space called the San Rafael Swell and winding down through the famous Little Grand Canyon, passing in front of one of the largest Native American Pictograph Panels in the State(The BuckHorn Panel) of Utah.  This run was very scenic.

We started early in the cool, almost cold morning, and watched as the sun rose over the buttes in the distance.  The day would become very hot.  Last Sunday at the Skagit Flats Marathon, which was also hot, I cramped in my legs.  Allot.  This time I took 2 tablets every hour of Endurolytes, from Hammer, and didn't cramp at all.  I will be using the Endurolytes again this weekend at Lake Chelan.

My finishing time was 4:24, which was in my goal zone of 4:00 - 4:30.  The altitude, I think we started somewhere around 6,000 feet, really played a role on my ability to perform, but all in all this training run was a success with some really nice change of scenery.

I had traveled to run this race with my friend Laura and we meet up with friends of her in Salt Lake City, bringing our group to five.  Laura, Kris and Ross walked the marathon in 6:45 and Scott, along with trusty friend Bug The Dog, finished in 4:55.  Bug was the only dog to compete.  We had a great time and a great weekend.  I always like making new friends.

Next week, Saturday the 20th is the Lake Chelan Marathon.  Stayed tuned.