Beautiful!! Good time with the gals. Big group of us went up there. Brian, Trina, Sheila, Shelly, Tammy, Conadae, Pete, Jill, Jolynn, Anni, Katrina. Missed Heather, Buff, Turner & Steph. I'm sure I'm missing someone- sorry. Took Jim & the kids and made an overnighter mini vacation out of it. We stayed at Driftwood Lodge, nice place. Picked up the race packet Friday evening then hiked around until dark. Sat. am I got up and took free shuttle (nice) to Visitor Center where race started. Found my pals no problem. Chilly morning, started out with lots of layers. Warmed up fast though and after 1st mile I ran in singlet and knee length pants. The race was absolutely gorgeous!! Well organized too, if Zion's ever decides to do another race- do it! A couple of my buddies started out way too fast for me (6:ish) I started with them, then backed off in a hurry. I settled into a real nice 8:00 pace and stayed with Conadae almost the whole time. Not much chatting, just trying to keep up our pace. The only thing I wasn't crazy about as far as course was concerned- was finishing on the "trail" at the end. About mile 4 I was clipping along a good 7:50 pace, but then had to get on a narrow, winding, rolling trail. Ah well.. Finish was nice, some good cheerleaders. Small, intimate run. Good time. Finisher medals were very nice. This race wasn't timed, didn't even see a clock at finish. Maybe I missed it? Thank goodness for garmins though. I wanted to break 50:00 and I did it, thanks to perfect weather and downhill course. Stoked! Stuck around long enough to take some pictures with my running buddies then off to hike with Jim & the kids. We finished the day with some wonderful hiking up to Emerald Pools. I was suprised my legs still worked! | 