Who in their right mind decides to run in the Arizona desert in June 100 degree temps and full on sunshine?
Well I guess my mind is nowhere near being right because that’s just what I did. The Kitt Peak ascent is a 10 mile road race that takes place on the highway to Kitt Peak. Kitt peak is a very isolated mountain 50 ish miles southwest of Tucson. From the desert flats an uber steep mountain juts strait out of the ground and up 7000 ft. The University of Arizona chose this isolated mountain island as their preferred location to put its world famous observatories.
So why not have a race to said observatory from the desert floor. The road is very steep, winding, and very scenic with 3250 ft of elevation change the cactus and mesquite transitions into junipers and granite peaks. So along with 250 or so runners we all toed the line at 6pm for a nice little run. There were your normal super fit amazing athletes that were destined to finish before 7:30 but alas I was not among that crowd. I started out at leisurely pace finishing my first mile in less than 8 and a half min and slowed down from there. As the miles progressed so did the steepness of the road. After mile 3 my stomach started giving me issues along with the intense heat. I was cramping up something fierce. For a while every sip of water made me want to puke.
At mile 5 I ever so quietly asked a station worker if they had any tp. To my extreme relief they did. I loaded up and headed out (there are no facilities available) I found a less steep cliff and took care of business . Much Better. So I picked up my pace a bit yet I did a lot of run walk run walk. At mile 8 the sunset was beautiful and the views of the shiny white domes of the observatory were pretty stunning. As I crept closer to the finish I picked up my pace once again stopping only to get a glow stick from one of the race workers. It never got dark enough to use my head lamp but it was getting close. At the final turn and climb I saw the finish wow that wasn’t so bad. As I crossed the line a photographer flashed a pic and temporarily blinded me. So I just about plowed over the guy taking the timing chips. The finish was dark windy and awesome. I had a great run with great new friends thanks Mona for the invite and Thank you Karen for the ride I had a blast!
