So I've wanted to participate in a Ragnar Relay ever since I heard about them. Last year I was invited to join a team and I was super excited! However throughout the training process I suffered a hip injury which really held back my training abilities. So I got a replacement and dropped out. Such a bummer for me but I didn't want to slow the whole team down. So...when Louie invited me again this year to run for Team Atlas Title I was of course ecstatic. I strapped on my running shoes on many different days and really tried to train my little heart out. I learned I would be Runner 5. Runner 5 starts with a 7.4 mile leg then has a 4.2 mile leg and finishes with a 3.0 mile leg. As race day drew closer and closer I got more and more nervous, afraid and seriously contemplated quitting again.
But yesterday Friday, June 17, 2011 will go down in the records books for this girl. I awoke bright and early to meet my team. We drove in a sweet Starcraft van up to Logan for the start. I was nervous and down right anxious to tell you the truth. But after several hours in the car (7 to be exact) I started that first 7.4 mile leg, let me tell you folks. This may have been the most physically challenging run I've ever had. It was up hill the ENTIRE time! I climbed 1200 feet in elevation on a dirt road at 2pm in the HOT HOT sun. It was dusty it was HOT it was rocky and down right hard. But guess what? I can do hard things:) My awesome van and team mates supported me so well. I got super soaked a few times, numerous water stops and of course the famous moose call cheer. It was inspiring and kept me climbing. After about mile 5 I started walking and you know what...walking proved to be a quicker way to the top for me. A cool perspective, right? I'm amazed how often when running I feel the spirit and get some direction for me specifically. So cool! Well as you probably guessed I finished. We moved on to our next runner and then it was my turn to support and cheer someone else on.
After our last runner completed his leg we headed to get some grub. You could imagine we were probably pretty hungry:) We killed time trying to nap and chit chatting together. Then it started all over again. After 4 more runners it was my turn again. I hit the pavement at about 10:45-11pm. This run felt much better. It was cooler and I just ran it out. It was really awesome to be the only person on the road with just my headlamp lighting the way. Full moon and bright stars. My favorite leg for sure.
By the time our last runner finished his 2nd leg it was after 1am. So we were all tired and I was freezing as I was still in my sweaty gear. After we lost a couple of our team members it delayed us about 30-40 minutes while we waited/tried to find them. After that delay we were on the road to Oakley Rodeo Grounds for some much needed zzz's. It took us just over an hour to drive there. We were so grateful to have a driver so all of us runners could sleep!! Once we got to the grounds it was a quick change of clothes, pull the sleeping bag out and then right to sleep I went on the back seat of the Starcraft. I slept for a whopping 3 hours. Yea baby!
Saturday morning was freezing cold! Everyone was tired, stinky and hungry. Not good combinations:) But we got up and our first runner was off within about 20-30 minutes. So we had no time to delay. After the first 4 runners it was my turn again. I took off from the UVU campus in Heber and it was a slight downhill decent. I thought to myself....oh good. Well about 1 mile into my 3 mile run was a steep hill. What the ???? Had to do a little walking there as well but once it leveled out I was off and running to finish that last leg. It was such and awesome feeling to be done. When I climbed back into the van after my last leg there was such a light feeling from all. Not only was I done, but we all were.
Sad note about Ragnar 2011-this girl forgot her camera! Hopefully I'll run it again and remember. Happy note-I did it! I am amazed and overwhelmed all at the same time for the outpouring of support I received from so many. It kept me going in moments when I wanted to quit.
Final thoughts-This girl can do hard things!
