An Unexpected Development

Well, we train to be prepared and to learn what could go wrong.


Today’s intended 25 mile hike got cut short as Gray developed stomach trouble right before lunch. Things were probably going too well anyway—we had done the 15 mile plus Pemberton Loop in just over five hours, remembering how challenging it had been for us less than two months ago (hey, our training program really is paying off!). The last few miles, however, Gray complained of feeling light headed and having a tummy ache. We charged it off to being hot and hungry, and to our robust pace so far (faster, really, than we intended, knowing we still had almost 10 miles to go in the afternoon).


But lunch brought no relief and as we headed out he was moaning a bit. We got maybe two miles up the trail before he reluctantly realized he just wasn’t going to make it. This was most alarming because there really isn’t another good day to try this again, and because we really couldn’t figure out the problem (which occurred on a previous hike, just not as pronounced).

On the very slow return hike we did decide, however, that it might be the red Gatorade that Gray favors. I know I had to switch off of it because it seems to do funny things to my digestion as well. Next time he’ll try half the concentration (we’re mixing our own from Gatorade powder—much more economical). We also figured out a few dates that may work for us to try again for the brass ring of 25 miles.

There is, of course, the approach of my friend Chris, who went on her second rim-to-rim hike a few weeks ago. “So,” I asked her, “what was the longest training hike you did to get ready?”

“Seven miles.”

“What?! You’re kidding me!”

“Nope,” she replied. “But I used to run cross country in high school and my coach always told us that if we could run five miles we could run twenty five miles. I just applied that same idea to the Canyon.”

“Yeah,” I said, “but that’s a lie that cross country coaches tell their teams to make them believe they are prepared even if they’re not…!”

Still, Chris got it done in just over twelve hours…atta girl!

But for those of us who don’t know we can do something until we do it we’ll beef up our miles next week, cut down on the Gatorade mix, and try another long hike in about two weeks…hope we can get it done!