Sweaty or Not

This past weekend I finished running my third Ragnar Relay. Team Sweaty or Not took on the Wasatch Back and did surprisingly well in the 198 miles we ran from Logan to Park City, Utah.

So much happens in those 30 + hours running, driving, not eating or sleeping that it is hard to summarize.

Highlights:
+ The beautiful views! Seriously it is breathtaking! We saw two sunrises and a sunset. I even ran under the summer solstice moon on my second leg (which was miserable by the way).
+ Running into my dad who was one of our volunteers at 4 a.m. We weren't supposed to see him at all, so it was fun having him pound on our windows and scaring us half to death.
+ Blasting music and making victory tunnels for runners while stuck in traffic.
+ My sister Stephanie yelling out the window to my other sister Lindsey, "KILL DOROTHY!" ... For those of you who aren't familiar with the Ragnar Lingo a "kill" means you passed the person.
+ Being piggy-backed across the finish line. That was a first.
+ Van 1 being fast enough on our first leg to get out before they shut down the road for 2 hours due to a fire.
+ Spending time with my family and Stephie's (now my) friends.
+ The entertaining team names and van decorations. Those are always a treat.
+ Prancercising behind runners while supporting our runners.
+ Watching people on our team run farther than they have ever run. ... and killing it too!

Lowlights:
+ The dust on my first leg. I think I inhaled the entire state of Utah in dust in 6 short miles.
+ My second leg. Period. It was 8.2 miles of misery ... well actually only about 4 miles of it was miserable. I was not prepared for that steep of an incline. Plus my hip was tight and was killing me.
+ Being passed by multiple 13-year-olds.
+ Having to have our car jumped because we were charging all our phones while the car was off.

 Sunrise number one.

The scenery.

 Isn't it a BEAUTIFUL course???

 Our van.

My first leg. It was super dusty! Luckily it was downhill. 

You can also see a little smoke from the fire that delayed some teams by 2 hours!

 Scott was in Van 2 so I didn't see him too much, but from what I hear he did awesome!

Tunnels for the runners. We were stuck in traffic so we had a little fun while we waited.

During the 30 seconds we saw my dad.

 My brother barely had time to train, but he did awesome!!! He was also a trooper being the only guy in our van. We nicknamed him Scottie Pimpin'. Ha.

Got the "kill."

My sister Stephanie wanted extra miles so she ran my last 2 miles with me. 

Clearly we are exhausted excited to only have 1 mile left!

After Van 1 was done, we indulged in Kneaders. Tasted sooooo good!

 The whole gang.

Official Team Sweaty or Not photo. 

We're Done!!!

Ragnar Relay: Lake Mead to Las Vegas

Somehow I got coaxed into doing another Ragnar Relay.

Fine. I volunteered but as I was running my first leg I was trying to remember how I got there and why I was putting myself through this. My dad, sister and brother in-law did it as well. They were in the other van so I didn't see them too much, but they did awesome from what I heard! Way to go fam dam!

I am happy to report it was another successful finish for the Sweaty or Not team. Chalk it up ... but with not much help from me (at least "kill" wise).

Leg 1 I started at dusk on Friday and ran 6.5 miles on a paved trail. The first 2.5 were uphill and the last part was all downhill. I felt good once I hit mile 3 and just cruised along. I felt really good, though the "one mile left" sign was like a mile too soon.

Leg 2 started at like 1:45 a.m. It was a straight shot on a paved road for 2.7 miles. It was beautiful looking at the star above. Since I was the last runner in my van I knew we could sleep after I finished. The finish line for my leg was the hotel so that kept me going.

Leg 3 was awful. I ran 6.5 miles in like 95 degree weather. Combined with the fact that it was my last leg too made it miserable. But I ran into the finish line and my entire team met me there. I probably looked like death after that  (I felt like it) but we got another Ragnar is in the books.

Before we started. Obviously. I still look decent.

Our car. We ended up with 121 kills!

 Taking a water break mid Leg #1.

Scotty apparently having a completely different experience on his last leg than I did. 

I'll spare you that photo of me. #nasty

Some of the scenery. So glad I didn't have to run on that dirt road. Sorry Van 1.

Wasatch Back: Team Sweaty or Not

I just finished probably the hardest thing I have ever physically done in my life.
Hands down harder than a half marathon.

The Wasatch Back is the largest relay race in the world. It is a continuous overnight relay that covers nearly 200 miles. It was such a crazy experience. Each person on your team runs three different legs, that covers different terrain.

Leg 1: I felt good. Pretty much just a flat 4 miles. I got into a groove pretty quick and was passing people left and right (which is always a self-esteem boost). It was a the beginning so it was still chaos. Decked out vans and suburbans were driving up and down the roads and trying to fight the congestion so there was a lot to look at and I was entertained.

Leg 2: That was the HARDEST run I have ever done in my life. But, I did it! I climbed 1000 feet in 3.8 miles. I don't do hills ... well I do but I always go downhill. So this was a challenge for me. I got a pretty good time and I felt like I could conquer the world after that. So what did I do? I decided to pace my friend for 2 miles who was on the next leg. Hers was all downhill. That is more my cup of tea.

Leg 3: Was pretty rough for me. I was going on 2 hours of sleep. The run itself wasn't hard, but it was pretty boring. When I saw my last hand off, I was so happy I was done! I had just finished the Ragnar. I could relax and soak my feet in a natural hot spring ... no really I did. It was heavenly.

I've been in an exercise/running rut and honestly didn't know if I would be able to do it. It was so refreshing pushing myself. I was reminded how much I enjoy exercising. 

I missed every exchange. Talk about anti-climatic. To my defense two of the exchanges they announced our team number wrong...the third? Umm ... mother nature called.

The finish line was my favorite part.

I finally got to catch up with my family, who were in the other van and who actually had a camera (my battery was dead. boo). Oh ... and the fact that we were done might have something to do with it too.

The official finish line.

Team Sweaty or Not. We finished in 30 hours and 36 minutes.

Me and Steph with our medals. 

We did not plan to match. We were in different vans and barely saw each other the whole time. 

Great minds think alike I guess.

Me and my fam. Clearly I did not get the memo to put on (or even pack) makeup. 

Shows who is really hardcore in the family.

breaking at the cracks

Less than a week before my photography class started my favorite lens broke.

A week before my race (which is tomorrow) my iPod decides to stop functioning.

Everything seems like it's falling apart.

I am about to run an overnight relay. I am so not ready for it. Like I haven't ran in a week.

I'm just hoping my body doesn't fall apart before, during or after this weekend. I am a little worried.

Like this is how I'm feeling about it...

'Nuff said. 

Sweaty or Not ... here I come!

*Sweaty or Not is our team name. Haha. Get it? Compliments of my bro-in-law.

saturday happenings

In case you were wondering (and I know you were)
This is what my Saturday looked like.
It was a busy one.

Morning ... I woke up early and ran a 10K with my sister and brother-in-law.
I learned something new this time.
It's better for ones self-esteem when you run in a small community race.
That way you can come in 3rd woman overall. Just sayin'.

 Steve wasn't about to let that guy (behind him) beat him 

... especially since the kid cheated. Look at that form!

Early Afternoon ... We babysat our little nieces. We took them to our pool. I think they had a fun time. Courtney just chilled in her life jacket, Kylie floated with her water noodles and Allie couldn't get enough of being thrown in the air.

Allie is subconsciously working on her cheer leading jumps.

Saturday Late Afternoon... Then on to the next thing. I threw my dear friend a bridal shower. I used the theme Something old. Something new. Something borrowed. Something blue. I was pleasantly surprised how it turned out (with my budget) .It was fun seeing friends I never see anymore as well.

Saturday Night ... I crashed! I felt like I had a hangover Sunday morning when I woke up. Not that I know what that feels like, but I can imagine.

It was a very busy day, but very fun!

it's go time

I am happy to report I survived.
No medical staff had to be dispatched on my behalf.
It wasn't my best time. But wasn't my worst ... so I'm content.
My only battle wounds wound up being 2 blisters on my pinky toes.

My sister came in fourth woman overall.
Ummm ... ya I was 180th.
My dad finished it too only coming in 11 minutes behind me.
He ran the whole thing. He's one cool dude.

Please note he has two power balance bands on.
As we got ready to leave I told him I was wearing mine for the off chance that they actually do work.
He was like "I have both mine on. I'm gonna need all the help I can get".
He said that having one on each wrist keeps him more balanced. Haha.

Before we left:

After (with our cheerleaders who met us at the finish line):

another half

This past Saturday I ran the SOJO half marathon with Lindsey and Lia. I really enjoyed the course. I didn't think I would really be ready for it, but I set a personal record. Since the course was a half of a mile too long (don't ask me how I feel about that) ... I am saying that my time was 1 hour and 51 minutes. The best part is that I'm not even really sore.

This is an "after" picture. Clearly.

{ run bike swim }

This past Saturday my stake hosted a sprint triathlon. My friend and co-worker, Lia, decided it would be a fun challenge. It was a 5K run, 14 mile bike ride and then finished with a 600 yard lap swim. I finished in 93 minutes. I forgot my own camera but, I did you a favor, I wasn't a pretty sight.

{ run 13 }

This morning I ran the Hobbler Half Marathon with Emily. I was afraid I wouldn't be ready for it physically, but I survived. I actually feel pretty dang good! I'm not even sore yet (ask me in the morning though). It was a beautiful course and gradually all downhill. It really went by fast. The only complaint I have was that I didn't bring Gu with me, assuming the race would provide it. That nasty yet heaven-sent yet liquid was much needed come mile 8. Like really needed. I think I would have gotten a better time if I would have been prepared that way. Lesson learned.

In our morning glory.
 

Ready to get the show on the road.

This girl is a rock star. She came in 6 minutes ahead of me.

All done and ready to go to the pool and relax!

My time: 1 hour and 56 minutes 

{ done and done }

On Friday Emily and I drove down to St. George to run the Snow Canyon Half Marathon. I have run the distance of a half marathon before, but never in a race setting. It was such a sense of accomplishment once I crossed the finish line (especially knowing I didn't really train for it).

The weather was gorgeous. Hard to believe it was November, but I was loving every minute of warmth and sunshine. The race itself was all gradually downhill, but it wasn't an easy course (in my opinion) as it was hilly too and the out-and-back nearly killed me.

But, I made it...13.2 miles and 2 hours later I finished. Maybe after my calf muscle recovers I will actually think about a full marathon. Today, though, we rest.

Before:

After: We're done!