Happy Girl 2018

Trail runs are really hard and I decided to do it again.  My 6th Happy Girl Run in Spokane.  Lots of my friends do this race.  I head out on my own every year and meet the gang afterward.  This year I had a great friend with me! Sheila and I did a trail run last fall and we really liked it so she decided to try this trail run.  It was great to have her company!  

We caught a fleeting glimpse of Kim Headrick right before she started the 1/2 marathon! 

 Bonnie and Claudia!

This is my 6th picture with Aaron.  He works for Happy Girl and the first year he searched and searched for a sweatshirt to find my size.  Not sure where he found it but he did.  There were none on the sales table.  He actually came and found me to tell me he was successful.  I didn't even know he was looking.  We talk every Happy Girl and take our traditional picture.

 New friends and old friends!

 Aaron joined the crowd!

 We met these two ladies at the packet pick up and we just happened to see them before the race.  Both teachers!

 The crowd is gathering!

 The 5K took off and we were standing watching.  We saw the walkers and Sheila said, "Those are our people."  Turns out they really were our people.  Lesley and Denise! So good to see them!!!!!!

 We are going down the hill that we would come up right before the finish line.  It looks so innocent doesn't it!!  It isn't!  Long and steep!  

 Spokane in the fall.  Nothing like it!

 Rocks, lots of rocks.  This was a wider part of the trail run! Most of the time you could not walk side by side.  Be careful!

  
Fall colors!

 Very unique tree!!!!

 These rocks were a little farther apart.

 Freida the 1/2 marathoner!!!

 Here is the hill at the end that doesn't look at all like a steep hill in this picture.  Oh, it was.

 Done!

Off  to the bacon.  I am pretty sure I had 10 pieces!  

 Bonnie won her age group.   Super star!

 There was food too and a picnic/party atmosphere!

 Finishers!  This is a picture of members of the Flightless Running Club in Cheney.  Sheila has been to their runs several times.  I have only been twice but they let me join them for a picture.

 Such a beautiful fall morning with a cool breeze, the Spokane River, the fall colors and good friends!  I am thankful!!! It's so good to be alive!!!!