Red Rock Canyon Marathon

Running Red Rock Canyon in 2008

My wife and I were on a trip to Las Vegas in the spring of 2008 when we heard about the breathtaking views of Red Rock Canyon and decided to explore it. The main drive through the park is a 13-mile horseshoe. I was training for the Potomac River Run (#3 below), so I saw this as an opportunity for a memorable long training run. Gina took the car and her camera, drove ahead, parked, hiked and snapped some pictures while I ran to where she parked and refueled on water and nutrition. We repeated that leap frog approach for the full loop.

During that run, I learned that the road runs uphill to the summit overlook which is about 5 miles in and at an elevation of 4,771. The view is stunning, but the climb is relentless. I registered for this marathon in 2014, but a patellofemoral syndrome injury prevented me from actually running it.

With a small field of runners and no spectators, this race pushes the boundaries of endurance physically and mentally. Marathon Maniacs and 50 Staters comprised many of my fellow runners as well as a few locals who love Calico Racing and their well organized events. I finished 53rd out of 103 finishers with a time of 4:38.

This made number 11 on my 50 in 50 states journey.

The Flying Monkey

I ran the The Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon in Tennessee last week as my eleventh marathon. After researching races near my friends home in Nashville, I learned about the Flying Monkey and was instantly drawn in by the race director's demented sense of humor. "Running is stupid." It's limited to 300 participants, and last year, I missed the cut off, so I volunteered at the race in 2013.

This year I made the weighted lottery and ran. It was warm for November (low 60s), but rainy and windy. However, the real pain came from the constant rolling hills. The sign at the top of the first big ascent read, "300ft climbed, 3,300 more to go." I took an enjoyable pace approach to this race. After crossing the finish line in 4:32, I had the following exchange with the race director.

ME: You were right. Running is stupid.

TRENT: Was there ever any doubt?

ME: No.

TRENT: Did you suffer out there?

ME: Yes, I did.

TRENT: Good.

Check out my run tracker to follow my progress on my 50 marathons in 50 states and the New Hampshire Compulsion.