There are certain runs that you tell yourself you absolutely have to do sometime. There’s the Boston Marathon, there’s Big Sur, and then there’s the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim. Today on Endurance Planet we hear from veteran runner John Schultz of Scottsdale, Arizona who is quite familiar with running the Grand Canyon—in fact, he just recently returned from his latest rim to rim to rim. Idaho foundation repair contractor . Schultz tells us about the run and what makes it unique.
[audio:http://66.147.244.210/~enduran9/wp-content/uploads/GrandCanyonR2R2R.mp3|titles=GrandCanyonR2R2R]GrandCanyonR2R2R
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Ran my first R2R2R in Apr 09, did it solo, what a great experience! I was actually at the North Rim Lodge on vacation 15-17 May (this past weekend) and believe the big R2R2R tour group must have been the one associated with John. Planning to take a local group back in 2011.
Josh Kennedy
Huntsville, AL
[...] Endurance Planet | Running tһе Grand Canyon [...]
Great interview, Kevin! I was privileged to get to run part of the Canyon that day with John. He is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet–as well as the most knowledgeable about running rim to rim to rim! I must have sent him twenty emails asking pesky training questions about how to run the Canyon, and he responded thoughtfully to every one.
They say that something like 6 million people every year walk up to the Canyon rim, and then turn around a walk away. You’ve got to get down IN the thing to *really get it*.
I encourage all your listeners to add this run to their life list: They’ll never be the same again.
Hi! Great post. Thanks for this podcast. In fact, I just completed this on May 20, on the heels of John’s effort. Literally, the morning before my Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim started at 2 pm, John and I were tweeting. He was giving me last minute tips re. fueling and his own experience. The advice — and especially the encouragement and enthusiasm he provided, was just the “pep talk” I needed!
The adventure was an adventure of a lifetime!!!
Thanks again for this great post and interview with a great endurance athlete.
High 5 from the frontier of Wyoming,
Shelli Johnson
HaveMediaWillTravel.com
Ran my first R2R2R in Apr 09, did it solo, what a great experience! I was actually at the North Rim Lodge on vacation 15-17 May (this past weekend) and believe the big R2R2R tour group must have been the one associated with John. Planning to take a local group back in 2011.
Josh Kennedy
Huntsville, AL
Hi! Great post. Thanks for this podcast. In fact, I just completed this on May 20, on the heels of John’s effort. Literally, the morning before my Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim started at 2 pm, John and I were tweeting. He was giving me last minute tips re. fueling and his own experience. The advice — and especially the encouragement and enthusiasm he provided, was just the “pep talk” I needed!
The adventure was an adventure of a lifetime!!!
Thanks again for this great post and interview with a great endurance athlete.
High 5 from the frontier of Wyoming,
Shelli Johnson
HaveMediaWillTravel.com
You all are too kind!
Was just happy to share my past experiences ~addiction~ to possibly make it more enjoyable for others.
On another note, I actually went up and did R2R2R again on Sat 5/29 @3 a.m. Planned on going solo but met up w/ some guys from Phoenix almost right from the start. Was great to have company the entire way as it got pretty hot at the bottom. (~100 degrees). If anyone is interested, the write-up is on my blog. Happy Trails!
i ran the r2r2r in july of 2006, after reading all the comments sign me up for the next run in 2011.
this is a life time experience/adventure
stev
Mountain goats! COOL! Charging you? YIKES! Are there snakes and other wildlife? Eagles divebombing or condors/vultures waiting for one runner to succumb???
What kind of equipment do you bring, packs/clothing do you wear? How do you carry your camera, and is it a DSLR with lenses or a point-and-shoot?
How much food and water are you carrying? Clearly a few thousand calories, but strategized like for an Ironman? Possibly not too much and sourcing/filtering water to refill and keep weight down?
Did the group start the morning together, but spread out and finish very spread out by hours?
The charging wildlife that time was my only encounter with anything remotely dangerous (besides myself and the hot elements!).
And whether Fall or Spring it's always cold at the start (30-40 degrees), but you warm up in a matter of minutes as you head down. A lightweight windbreaker/rainjacket is sufficient most of the time. Most use a Camelback w/ 1.5-2.0L of h2o/Heed/whatever and as long as the water is on at most of the "normal" stops, you really don't need to carry a ton . Never had to filter anything in 6 R2R2Rs. For food, I bring 14 hrs worth of Perpetuem (and mix it in a small h2o bottle), and a dozen or so bars of whatever. Then some beef jerky, PB&J, or "goodie" of choice. Oh yeah, and at least a couple dozen S-Caps. I've never had a cramp since using those. Yay.
Of the 50 people who went, roughly 40% started at S Kaibab and went that way to Phantom Ranch and back up either S.K. or Bright Angel. Of the rest, most went Bright Angel and did R2R2R and left at the same time, and a few actually started much earlier. It was a blast meeting so many new people who share the same sickness/passion for those long distances and still finish with huge smiles.
You have written an informative article with a lot of thought-provoking information. I agree with you on several points as they are valid and reasonable.
You all are too kind!
Was just happy to share my past experiences ~addiction~ to possibly make it more enjoyable for others.
Great post. Thanks for this podcast. In fact, I just completed this on May 20, on the heels of John's effort.
Great post. Thanks for this podcast. In fact, I just completed this on May 20, on the heels of John's effort.