The Road Less Traveled! Seriously, it Was.

Well, here we all are! Finishers.  There were more of us that participated but this is who I snagged for pictures. I don't even know all these people.  They aren't strangers though.  Bonnie and Freida know them.  I try not to snag strangers. 

The 10K started at 9:45.  Freida was doing the 1/2 marathon and I got there in time for a picture of Freida who was starting the 1/2.  My camera actually turned off and she waited for me to get the picture.  Nice!

And here we are again! As Aaron said, our picture is a tradition.  We do it every year.  4 years ago I was looking for a particular size of sweatshirt.  Nowhere to be found so I didn't buy it.  He searched and found one in my size and then searched and found me.  So nice.  We have been "close personal friends" once every year for 4 years now.

Getting ready to start!

Bonnie and her sister Claudia!  The dream team!

Beautiful setting!

Heading down the first trail but they get smaller.

This is a hill that the 5K people are coming up.  You can see how they look.  It is long and steep and at the end of the course. It was waiting for me at the end.

I got some water and then made a turn.  I noticed that I was alone not long after the turn.  I had passed the turn around for the 5K so I thought all the people around me were doing the 5K.  I kept walking and thinking.

Hmmmmm! Still no people.  I should have some 10K people around me.  I was getting a little sad.  What did I do?  There should be someone around me.  As you can see no people.  So weird. I kept thinking I would see someone coming the other direction that was faster than I was.  NOPE! I was the Lone Ranger here.  You would think I would be catching on to what happened.

Light bulb moment and it was a little late.  I took a wrong turn.  I really wanted to do this trail run and get 6.2 miles in.  Do I keep walking to get the miles in or turn back?  If I turn back and do the complete course I will do about 10 miles.  That did not sound like a good idea.  More sadness!  A couple of tears.  I have done this 10K course 2 other times.  What was I thinking!!!!!

Idea!  Brilliant.  I will turn around and go back to the turn off and do an out and back to still get the miles in and still walk some of the rock trails.  Here I go.

The long and winding road back to the 10K turn off.

Then I saw it!  A bald eagle flying over head.  I pointed my camera to the sky and had no idea if I got the picture.  I did but you have to enlarge the picture to see it.  Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles.  Isaiah 40:31. I chose to take the road less traveled and finish my 10K my way.  I am now laughing and soaking up every precious minute.

On the trail finally and listening to my Christian music singing at the top of my lungs.  Not a soul around to hear me! Picture it. So great!  Praising God and looking at his creation!  Perfect!  

The rocks and there were more to come.  Closer together and a bit bigger!  The trail narrowed too but I didn't have to worry about fighting for a spot on these rocky trails because I was alone. HA!

One time I stopped looked out to the river with my hands reaching up and just sang to my music!  Probably took a bit off my time there! I didn't care.

And then the horses came.  Are you one of the runners?  They were confused because I had a number and was all by myself.  Well, sort of, I said!!!  I got a little side tracked.

There they go! Alone again and loving it!

I turned around to head back hoping it would get me 6.2 miles when I crossed the finish line.  I passed Bonnie going the opposite way.  She went the right way and wanted to know if I had finished. Probably wondering why I was where I was.  Nope.  Didn't finish and there is a story.  I will tell you later.

Headed back to the finish line.

The last little trail and I did it my way.  I didn't get a full 6.2 miles.  I think about 6 miles.  Of course my time was great because I wasn't on trails for 1/2 of the race.  I can't really count it as a person record though.  I went from sad to joyful.  It was fun taking the road less traveled this time.  I don't really want to do it again though.

1/2 marathon finisher Freida.  I know their course is really hard.  It is not an easy 13.1 miles.  I am impressed with all those who completed it.  Each year I think I should sign up for the half and then I do the 10K, never mind.  I will stick to half marathons on the roads not trails.

Good bye Happy Girl 2017.  It was an adventure this year.  Never give up and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Until next year!!!!

Happy Girl Trail Run Sept 2016

Lets just start with the finish! We all made it! Half marathon, 10K and 5K.  Trail runs are way different from road races.  There are obstacles like rock (lots of them), trees and even horses this year.  It's challenging which makes it really fun! The fall scenery was amazing as always! I love Spokane! I said I wanted to do the 1/2 marathon next year.  As I was doing the 10K I reconsidered.  I think I will stick with the 10K unless I change my mind.  Here we are! Looking pretty good for just finishing a hard trail run!  

They did it! So proud of these two ladies!  They picked a really tough half marathon to do and they finished it!  I know my 10K was challenging, especially the last hill at the end of the course.  Can't imagine doing that hill at 12 miles!

Now the before pictures!

This is my close personal friend Aaron!  I see him once a year! He is the Happy Girl Run.  I have done three Happy Girl Runs and it is now a tradition that we have to keep up, taking our picture together.  Picture number 3! The first year I probably talked his ear off and then I asked him if we could take our picture together.  So it began!

 Half marathoners!

 Freida and we have three 1/2 marathoners!

It was cloudy and a bit cool to start the day but it turned out to be a perfect fall day.  Los of activity and fun!

 Freida is off and running!

 So is Wendy and her friend!  Waving and blowing kisses!

Nothing better than family!

 The knee replacement club right here!!!!  Bonnie has two new knees and I have one new knee!

 Off we go!

You just can't beat this scenery! The Spokane River and the leaves are just starting to turn beautiful fall colors.

 I had to be careful taking pictures because of these things.  Lots of them.

 Stay on the trail so you don't tumble down to the river!

 We went around this tree not over it!

 Yep!

 And here they are! Horses!  There was some sort of get together for riders in the same area.  You had to be careful where you stepped and not just because of the rocks and the skinny trails.

 Lots of hills!  They look so innocent don't they.  For the most part they were short and steep.  Lots of them.

 Things were opening up a bit.

 I had my sites on this set of women.  Yes, I passed them and about  3 other groups.

 Here we go again but not rocks! Up and Up!

 I was on the home stretch here!  Just finished the longest hill.

 Heading to the finish line.  With my knee I can actually run but I am not supposed to.  Gotta keep that joint for the rest of my life.  I did a little bit of jogging on the trail but not much.  I did run across that finish line with zero pain.  I love it!

 I always think about my ruptured brain aneurysm when I cross finish lines.  I am so grateful for the miracle I received and that I can hang out with my friends and do these events.  I will never take it for granted.  Never!  God is great!

 Well, here is a finish picture at the end where it is supposed to be! Frieda looking good after 13.1 miles.

 She is even smiling!  It was a great day with great friends.  It's Good to be Alive!