Day 3,856 —Day after R3 Enjoying the Sunrise—

 

I woke up at 4 like normal and looked for my headlamp, so I wouldn’t wake my brother up rummaging around the room trying to get organized before I went to go run. I spent the morning finding my watch and editing some pictures from yesterday. I was worried it would be cold, so I got bundled up put my gloves on, and headed out of the lodge.

I ran down the same path from yesterday until I got to the Brightangel trailhead. I went down the trail like yesterday, but this time I was alone in the dark, and it was glorious. I passed some hikers on the way down. I was encouraged by the ambition of the other hikers. I was jealous that they had a whole day ahead of them and I would have to head back soon after sunrise.

I ran down about a mile and a half before I turned around. In my mind, I was thinking a 5K sounded like a fun idea. All the other guys were giving me trouble about going back out today, but I told them they were more than welcome to join me, but I knew they weren’t serious.

I wanted to see the sunrise from the Canyon again, so when I headed back up, I walked and took pictures. It was so fun to be alone in the dark enjoying the Canyon and then when the sun came up, I couldn’t help but feel elated. I stopped probably every quarter of a mile to take a few more pictures before I made it back to the top again. I still felt good, and I still had time, so I ran down the rim another mile and stopped and took pictures as I went.

Part of me just wanted to run down to Phantom Ranch, or at least make it all the way to the bottom. I don’t know what it was, but I desperately wanted to be at the bottom of the canyon again, so I could look up and see the rocks from the canyon surround me.