To cut to the chase, I was only able to complete the rim-to-rim-to-rim crossings (the R3), as (I am guessing) my dehydration began to impact my kidneys/bladder and forced upon me a situation whereby I simply did not feel comfortable going back into the canyon for my second R3. Despite my legs feeling great, my feet feeling nearly untouched, and my mind still ready to go the distance (after 45 miles), my internal organs were telling me a different story. Unlike other (organized) runs, the Grand Canyon does not offer aid stations every 7-miles; and because of the time of year I went, water was shut off at several spots on the trail. Simply put, I allowed the cold weather to convince me that I did not need as much hydration as I really did, which ended up biting me starting mile 28.
So, after a bit more than 16-hours, 45+ miles, 11,500+ feet of elevation gain, I made (what I felt to be) the responsible call and decided to end my fundraiser and not risk my health even further by going back into the canyon. And yes, it was a hard decision. The very items that plagued me during my first two runs, where non-issues during this one. And on the heels of completing my first 100-miler in Alabama, I was mentally ready to tackle this beast. Even though I know it was the responsible decision, it sure was a mental bruiser. So much so, I was unable to speak to others about it for the days immediately after; I cried with Micheal Greer (the guy I went with) about my sense of failure; I used my Uncle Larry’s (who also came to support) shoulder to lean on for some strength; and I just about used all my hug request from Danielle as I battled my decision internally.
And fortunately, I made it to other side (mentally). That does not mean that I won’t’ be heading back to the canyon in the near future to finally tackle that beast of an R5, but what it does mean, is that I am proud of what I accomplished with my fundraiser. And here is why: during all my planning, brainstorming and dreaming, not once did I ever think about how my fundraiser might inspire and motivate others. Never did I think that what I was doing, may convince someone else to tackle a challenge they might be facing in their life. Yet it did. It did so many times. The outpouring of support and stories from so many people was overwhelming. I got phone calls from friends sharing their story of how they have been motivated; I ran by strangers on the trail that came to the canyon to also run, after hearing about what was going on; and I saw more people offer their unwavering support when learning about what I was doing.
That’s my really long way of saying, sometimes you just don’t need to have perfect results in order to witness perfect outcomes. Do I wish I had made the cut off at mile 92.5 in the Arkansas Traveler – or not been plagued by burning urine and been able to complete a second lap of the canyon? For sure. But even if I had done that, I have a feeling that what the real outcome from all of this would not be dramatically different than from what took place.
I want to thank everybody who helped me out along this journey. I am honored to have received your financial support, and humbled to receive your love, friendship, and kindness. This journey, over the past 70+ days has been transformational for me, and as a result, will be transformational to so many people within Northern Uganda. I am truly thankful.
