am--7 The wif and I ran a little warm-up before the race and then listened to the Race Director crack a few jokes. My favorite was one about The National Parks Service guaranteeing a spot for every runner in the race in the next race, 100 years from now. The GPS didn't work super well in the canyon--this run went from Big Bend, down Zion Canyon, and finished at the end of Pa'rus trail. It was a steady down hill--400 ft. drop in elevation. I pushed and pushed and pushed, sticking in the top 10 throughout but running mostly by my lonesome. Just me and my mind. The legs felt great most of the way, but I was wheezing. The course was beautiful, the runners enjoyed themselves, and the breath was visible. Everything felt great until Pa'rus trail when the course went into the sun w/ some undulations. Nonetheless, the experience was positive. Everyone PRed. My overall pace was 6:47/mile. It's too bad this race isn't an annual event. | 