We almost died waiting over an hour for the busses. But after we got up the canyon and learned the race would have a late start, we had a minute to warm up in the lodge. I donned my wedding gown & 'Run Away Bride' plaquard. Catherine dressed as a lady bug, Josse had a ruffled leotard and funky headgear, Walter was Adam (fig leaf and all), Rachel wore a rainbow wig and headband. It was so fun even just waiting for the race to start. Outside was cold, but absolutely spectacular. Aspen Grove, above Sundance is breathtaking on a clear autumn morning. After the start we raced downhill and chatted as we went, taking gorgeous photo-ops along the way down the Alpine Loop toward Sundance. I can't even tell you how beautiful this whole run was. We were going at an easy 8 m/m clip downhill with no effort even though we all promised each other this was going to be a lazy dazy easy breasy fun run. But the scenery caught me off guard. Running next to the brook, running down from pure sunlight into the fog crowding the sky and hanging low in Provo Canyon was like entering a different world. They stopped traffic on the highway to let us cross. We stopped to use one of the Honey Pots (can you believe that's the brand of Port-A-Potty? it makes me want to dry heave). We stopped at Bridal Veil and took goofy bridal shots, and goofy running down the trail dancing shots. The run was so easy even though I had to hold the train of my dress in my hands most of the way. Every once and a while I could let it go and it would flow behind me. Everyone we passed cracked up and took pictures of us, and I could hear them say as I passed "that is hilarious" as they read the "Run Away Bride" plaquard pinned to my back. My veil didn't give me a seconds worth of trouble. It was so worth running past people in that dress it made everyone laugh, it made me laugh. Down toward the mouth of the canyon it got sunny again. Poor Catherine did not like the Heed they gave us to drink and there were no more POP's. Cath's husband and kids were in the car and honked as we passed the park at the mouth of the canyon. We stopped and chatted with him for a second and saw Catherine's cutest darling daughters who both loved my dress, I might add. Once Catherine found the last POP at mile 12, we let Rachel go (poor Rachel who said she didn't care about her time and wanted to take it easy really I think had a hard time understanding that Catherine and I mean business when we say we're going to take it easy). After the last stop, we kicked it into high gear. Catherine kept asking me how I was doing. The dress had been a little hard to breath in coming out of the canyon (statin does not give at all and it was a little restrictive through the bodice). But in the last .5 strech heading toward the riverwoods I looked at her and said "I got this, let's go" and we kicked that last bit to the finish--my dress train flying out behind me crossing the finish as they called our names. Our families were at the finish, we took tons of pictures. Josse told me she finished in 1:30 and looked so cute, even after the run in her purple ruffled leotard. I had such a great time, and leaving the race I had about 20 people ask if they could get my picture. I think my pictures turned out lame, but I think it was the last sprint to the finish that really impressed the croud. All things considered, we spent probably 10 minutes stopping at the bathroom and taking pictures, etc. So the running was actually not too shabby. Rachel was the only one who wore the Garmin, so she'd know. We were out for trick or treats, and we got it. Happy Halloween everyone! | 