Leaving Tuscon, we attempted to make it through Phoenix before rush hour. Unfortunately, we got hit by a silver-dollar sized rock thrown up by a passing gravel truck. Luckily, we located a Safelite glass repair facility that could take us in immediately. Unfortunately, we had to travel 20 miles back through Phoenix and by the time the repair was complete, we were in the middle of rush hour traffic.
The Sedona marathon was the main reason for our short stay (this time, as we will be returning for a seven day stay on our return from California). After picking up our race numbers and maps of the course, we drove the route to familiarize ourselves. The course started with six miles of rolling hills on a paved road, then became 13 miles of jeep trail, complete with sand, gravel and rocks. It dropped over 500 feet into a valley then we climbed back up the grade after the turnaround. It finished with a pretty steady climb back into Sedona.
Increadable views were available the entire lenght of the course.
This is the finish line, after the race. We waited for a couple of people I met durning the run. One lady was involved in and ran in the Oriflame Ultra marathon that I ran near San Diego a couple of years ago and another young man blew he knee out at the 18 mile marker and refused help from the aid stations. He wanted to finish and I told him we would be there to cheer went he crossed the finish line. He did finish . . pure determination. We meet a lot of good people running . . .
Travelling with the Schinglers 