Grand Canyon R2R2R Adventure

We had started a tradition – the anniversary adventure.

My husband, Sean, and I celebrated our first year of marriage together with a 90 mile day trip via bicycle from Petty Harbor to the Ferryland lighthouse in Newfoundland.

So, in October 2011 we were living in Arizona – home of the Grand Canyon – and we started planning for the Rim to Rim to Rim (R2R2R)!  46 miles from the South Rim to the North Rim, and back again… and we planned to finish in the same day.

This was a personal journey – no race and no main event with crews or aid stations.  Although the National Park does a nice job with toilet facilities and “self rescue emergency” boxes filled with bandages, duct tape, snacks, emergency blankets, and other random items at Cottonwood campground & Roaring Springs. Other than that, just us and our packs on the adventure of a lifetime!

We set out on foot around 5:00 am in late October.  The morning was cold (30 degrees F), but it warmed up quickly as we lowered into the canyon.  Packing water was relatively light because the spring water pumps were still on at Phantom Ranch (first fill-up point), Cottonwood, Roaring Springs, and the Supai Tunnel.  Sean and I each carried a 2L capacity Camelback pack with light rain gear, a small first aid kit, food, and a camera to capture the journey.

For me, the R2R2R was a lesson in this: anything is possible.  When we want to do something in life and fear hangs us up, we have to remember this: anything is possible and “I can do anything.”

Before this adventure, I had never run a marathon.  In fact, I had never run more than 18 miles or walked more than 24 miles in one day. Naturally, I wondered how it would go — but I knew I could do it if I really wanted to, because I believe anything is possible.

At the same time, it’s smart to be prepared.  Don’t get me wrong – it’s not that I wasn’t trained.  I knew I was going somewhere I hadn’t gone before, but had a sense for what it took.  In reality, my body had been through hours of training runs and hikes.

Moving your body is about busting through fear because all of life is risking. 

Every decision, step, and movement is for the most part, uncertain.  Life can change in an instant, and fear keeps us from experiencing life and grand adventures. Being a dreamer and a doer makes you active, risk-taking, engaged, and present in this life.  After all, you only get one, so it’s better to live…

Better to go adventuring, eat healthy food in the wild outdoors, with people you love, in places you’ve never been.

So here it is.  Footage from the trip with 20 lessons I gathered along the way, including:

• Our pre-run dinner, what NOT to eat, and “calorie bombs”
• What to do when you hit the wall
• A few key items to carry & wear to feel your best

Whether you plan to do it, are dreaming about it, or just get a few life lessons from my epic adventure… click play.