This 
past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in something so . . . well, so . . . I can't seem to think of the right word. It was fun, intense, painful, exhilarating, exhausting, inspiring, bonding, humbling, strengthening . . . I could go on, but I think you get the idea. I'm talking about the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay Marathon. It's 188 miles from Logan to Park City. The logistics of pu
tting something like that together are mind boggling. I was runner #3 and ran 18.4 miles in less that 24 hours with only 2 hours of sleep and minimal nourishment. Although I wish I could have done better, I feel good about what I accomplished. My team finished in 30:50. The rain caught our second van off guard as they were running the last few extremely difficult legs, but they did a great job bringing it home! I had such a great time that I'm already signed up to do it again next year! I only got to see half the course this year, so next year I'm planning on being in the other van so I can experience the whole thing. It was also fun to "run" into several friends along the way and at the finish line who ran it as well. Who knew?I owe HUGE thank you's to several people (in no particular order):
My Husband, Scott, who, although he was a thousand miles away, was so supportive and my kids who were excited to cheer me on. (but were mostly excited to spend the weekend at Aunt Juliannes! :o)
My Sister, Julianne who watched my kids for me while I ran. She brought them all to my first leg of the race and stopped several times along the way for water breaks, hi-fives and hugs to keep me going in the heat. She had 10 kids for 3 days!!! How do you repay something that? You are so great, thanks for all your help!
My Sister, Amy and her husband Nate who drove a long way to cheer me on for a few seconds as I passed you and for running with me for a bit. That was fun!
My Dad who drove hundreds of miles from far away to cheer me on at the beginning, in the middle and at the end and who opened and cleaned the cabin for us to sleep in, which was a life saver! And all with a sore leg too. Thanks Dad! Your support means so much to me.
My Uncle Ray and Aunt Fran for letting us use their cabin. It was perfect and saved us from sleeping in a field of hay in the freezing cold or sleeping like sardines on a hard floor in a high school gym.
My Mom who called me several times along the way to share her love and support. She was also cheering me on while putting in a 12 hour shift as a volunteer at the shirt/volunteer tent at the finish line. (In the rain and wind and dealing with more shirt problems than you could imagine.)
My Cousin Natalie from Boise who was a runner in her van #1 too and happened to be following the runner from her van who was just behind me during the most difficult 8 mile up hill run I've ever done. It was brutal and your cheers and support were most appreciated!
My Uncle Bob and Aunt Sheryl from Las Vegas for your support and pictures. It was so fun having you there! Also, for getting my mom involved. That was great!
Jill Stevens Shepherd for sending me a huge selection of her running music to load on my MP3. I think only a runner knows how important good running music is to another runner. So from one runner to another - thanks. It was perfect!
Jared, our Team Videographer who never slept from start to finish to get great footage of some pretty tired runners against some pretty beautiful backdrops. I can't wait to see the finished movie!
And last, but certainly not least . . . My team (only half of it is pictured here). Thanks for your patience when I wasn't as fast as I hoped to be or as most of you guys were. You were so supportive and never once made me feel inferior. Oh yeah, and for not looking when I changed my clothes on the side of the road! (Except you Jared - If you really got that on video, I'm going to kill you!) :o)From left: Jeff, Steve, Kevin, Liz, Lauren, & Me. Driver: Leslie
Van #2: Tiana, Cory, Rebecca, Mike, John & Adrienne. Driver: James
