Moving Cortney/ Sacred Mountain Prayer Run

Cortney decided to move back from Arizona to Utah to go to school. She was able to transfer her job and keep her insurance and be able to claim residency for school. So Doran and I packed up and took the utility trailer down to help her move. We left Thursday morning and stayed in Mesa. We met Doran's long time friend, (notice I didn't say OLD) Bill and his wife Elaine. We went to, where else, Texas Roadhouse. It is so fun when we can see them! Thanks for meeting us!

Bill happened to be off work so he offered to help load Cortney's stuff the next morning. We intended to do it ourselves but I am so grateful that he was there to help! We loaded up the trailer, the suburban and her car. After sweating in the Arizona heat, (I know, I know, it wasn't that hot that day, but it was for me, dang it) we went to breakfast. Thanks Bill! You were a great help!Ready to roll......We decided to run the Sacred Mountain Prayer Run that is held in Flagstaff, Arizona. On our way to Mesa, we stopped in Flagstaff to register. My knees have been giving me some fits so I decided that I would ice them on the way back up to Doran's mom's. That is where we were staying Friday night. The race was Saturday morning. When we got most of the way we called to tell them where we were at and to see if we were going to meet them for dinner at El Rancho. Doran has been craving Chili Cheese Crisps since the last time we were down there. We just can't find a Mexican restaurant anywhere that serves them like El Rancho. Anyway, when we made the call Claire, his sister, said that they were waiting for us and then we were going to take mom to the emergency room in Flagstaff. It is about 1.15 hours away. So Doran, Cortney and I talked about what we were going to do. Do we go to Flag and then back home after the hospital, or stay in Flag because we didn't know when she would get out. Well we decided to stay whether she went home that night or stayed. (She was there a couple of days before but ended up going home about 3-4 in the morning.) We ended up leaving the hospital about 11:00 pm and the rest left at 11:30. All was well.

These birds are taking up residency at his mom's house. When anyone tries to watch the momma gets a little cranky. But I stood still trying to get some shots. (no, not with bullets, with my camera)

Dinner TimeOff for some more grub.So cute, huh! The following morning....

SACRED MOUNTAIN PRAYER RUN....
I want to share with you the History of the NACA Sacred Mountain Prayer Run.

One of NACA's (Native Americans for Community Action) longest running and most successful special event is the Sacred Mountain Prayers Run. The first 10K, held in 1983 at Ft. Tuthill, south of Flagstaff, attracted 45 runners. Later, the race was moved to Thorpe park, which allowed for a closer view of the beautiful and sacred San Francisco Peaks. In 2001, a 5K race was added and a total of 325 runners participated.

The race is called a prayer run because of the Native American Tradition of "putting feet (action) to prayers". It serves as a purification process for both the runner and the situation for which the runner is praying as the runner undergoes emotional, mental, physical and spiritual cleansing. Native American teachings say that the Creator will bless those who are not lazy, those who will take an extra step in helping themselves and others. The elders say that those who desire a long, healthy and productive life must run before dawn, the most significant time for prayer. It is the time the Holy Ones shower blessings on the Earth.

The NACA Sacred Mountain Prayer run honors the fact that the San Francisco Peaks are sacred to all people. They are particularly sacred to the Navajo and Hopi People, who believe the Holy Ones and Kachinas, make the Peaks their dwelling place. Medicine people and elders go there to pray and perform sacred ceremonies. The steep terrain mirrors the struggles we all endure in our lives, so that then the runner reaches the top, there is no happier feeling than to have overcome that obstacle and feel that sense of accomplishment. They mentioned that the Medicine Man or Prayer Man would be on the 5k run. I guess it is tradition NOT to pass a Prayer man, but they told runners to go ahead when they see him. Every once in awhile you could hear some yells from him. It was kind of neat.

The course weaves through dirt and cinder trails with the Coconino National forest while maintaining an average elevation of 7,000 feet. It is considered "challenging".
This is the first map that a lady sent me when I e-mail her for more information. Notice at the beginning of the race it says "Killer Accent"? It must be a killer if it is on a race map? Smoley Hokes! It WAS a killer. Just when you thought you were through it, it leveled off for about 20 feet and started again.
She then sent me this map, saying it was a better map. The course climbs to an elevation of 7,200 feet from a start/finish of 6,950 feet.Ready.....set......GO!Before the race I told Doran when he got done to come back and get me or go get the camera and take some pictures. I knew he would beat me by an hour. 99% of the run was dirt trail the rest was dirt road. After the Killer Ascent it opened up to a beautiful mountain scenery. I had to watch my step for a lot of the run because of the rocks. After the 5k split off, the trail started heading up a little more. I was tired. I couldn't seem to find my rhythm or my breath.
I really struggled on this run. I didn't have enough fuel to begin with. (What? I'm suppose to eat first?) When I passed the turn for the 5k and continued on for awhile I was wishing (in a way) that I would have done the 5k instead of the 10k. But I knew that I would have regretted it. I did walk some during the up hill stuff. I was getting really tired of the uphill stuff. REALLY tired of it. About half way through the run, maybe a little more, there was another runner I kept passing and then she would pass me. Well the last time I caught up to her she was taking a break, so I walked a little bit with her. After some grumbling encouragement, I told her "Let's go". We then ran together the rest of the way encouraging each other. I don't know what I would have done without her. I was so ready to quit and walk but I really didn't want to come in last. By the time we past up the last water stop, we were heading a little downhill. After that the rest of the race was GREAT because it was mostly downhill. We didn't stop from then on. The Prayer Run was just that for me. I was praying so hard that I could just finish. I was fighting a side ache since climbing the "Killer Accent". Doran didn't have much of a chance to come get me which was ok because of Erica. And he barely had time to get my picture. I guess I amazed both of us by coming in 11 minutes after him. I thought he would have beat me by 30 minutes or so. But he did get a good picture. I guess I should have put my makeup on and done my hair first. Sheesh, what WAS I thinking? At the very end of the race (I should have started sooner) I gave it all I had and sprinted. I told Erica a starting point where we would both run. When we got there, I don't think she could go anymore because she wasn't with me anymore. I could have gone further but that was ok.

I WAS NOT LAST!

MY FIRST 10K!!

6.2 miles

1:09.08

Doran came in at 58 min. That really was fun to do this with Doran in a far away place. Next week........Mammoth Marathon in Bear Lake, Idaho. He may do the 1/2 marathon and I will stick with the 10k. We both had new shoes and there was no need to break them in, they were wonderful! This really was a beautiful run!!Giving it all I got. He almost missed me I was going to fast.....
This is Erica. She told me her name and I tried to find her on FaceBook but I haven't been able to find her yet. Thanks Erica!The weather was even perfect!!

I'm glad we took the detour and extra time to run this! However, the uphills killed my quads and lungs, the downhills killed my right knee. I am in the process of icing it for Saturday. I didn't walk very good Sunday, but being in the car for10 hours didn't help much either. I am happy to say that as of Tuesday, I can walk!

And these are our $90 shirts. Ya know, after the hotel and race fee.On the way to Arizona we went through Panguitch. They are having a "Quilt Festival". It was so neat. There were quilts on about every corner. I just had to share with you.

Now how fun was that?!