You want me to do WHAT??

"Picture this...you and 11 of your closest friends running day and night, relay-style, for 188 miles through some of the most scenic terrain North America could muster. Add in live bands, inside jokes and a mild case of sleep deprivation. The result? Some call it a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant. We call it a Ragnar Relay..."

That's the intro on the Ragnar Relay homepage that I was SO fortunate to be able to run this year. My friend Robyn called me Friday afternoon SUPER last minute when her Jeremy (her hubby) ended up with swine flu. She didn't beat around the bush much, just asked if I was still nursing (sorry Emmy, you got 6 months before I called it quits) and then asked if there was any way I could go to Logan with her to run in a 24-hour relay...and oh yeah, they were leaving in 3 hours.

I'd heard of the Wasatch Back before and I've always been intrigued by the idea of running it, but didn't really think I could pull it off. I told her maybe, to keep checking w/other people, and that I'd call her back. I really didn't think it would work out, but I think it was meant to be because after about a dozen phone calls arranging sitters, covering my church lesson, cancelling play-dates, missing my aunt's birthday dinner (sorry Mirna!), and packing faster than I ever have before, I was off! Luckily between a couple of awesome sitters, and of course Dave, I knew my kids were in good hands.

I didn't know anyone of the 12 runners except for Robyn and Kirk, who went to my same High School and is 1 year younger than me. The other 4 people in the car were strangers but were so nice and easy to hang out with that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. Here's Robyn "modifying" the names on the car...sorry Jeremy but we all laughed.

Amber, me, Robyn, Heather, Kirk, and Troy...we were van #1 and our team name was "Back on Crack" named after the team's sponsor, Collard Chiropractic. It was so funny to see all the decorated vans, goofy costumes, and to be around all that energy! We wore bands dedicated to "Sadie", Heather's niece who had cancer and passed away just a week after the race. Click here to read her blog. It's so, so sad but I'm always so blown away by how strong people can be when they have to be.

There was definately a buzz in the air and as the starting time drew nearer my stomach started getting jittery! Here is Kirk leading our team as runner #1. He was cool as a cucumber and wasn't one bit nervous...but I sure was! The second he started I thought "oh crap, I'm next!"








I had been running enough here and there to know I would do okay, but it is one thing to run on your own on a route you're familiar with, and a WHOLE different experience to run as part of a relay team, with semi-strangers cheering you on, in the mountains, not knowing what to expect. I was runner #2, so luckily I didn't have a lot of time to think about any of that before it was my turn...

This is me starting off on my 1st of 3 legs during the next 24 hours. I had 6.7 miles to do mostly on a gradual uphill but I knew I'd be fine as soon as I started running...until I rounded the corner about 3 miles in and saw a big mother HILL that I was supposed to run up! Hill grades always look easier on paper and this hill looked didn't look fun at all so I just concentrated on looking at the road a few feet ahead of me. Eventually the road flattened out and I felt so relieved to have my hardest leg done and knew that the other two legs would be a piece of cake.

Here is me handing off to Heather. Heather was one of the strongest runners in our van. She had some of the longest stretches and was really a solid runner. She was also hilarious. She's married to Kirk and they were so much fun to be around.

After Heather it was Robyn's turn...doesn't she look so excited to run? Robyn's knee was being difficult and decided it wanted to hurt but you would never know it. She ran like a champ and found her groove. One of Robyn's legs was at night, look at her cute get-up! This was her best leg. She felt great and you could tell since she was passing runners left and right. Robyn would give other runners motivation as she passed and would either tell them "good job" or give them low fives as she passed. This is totally Robyn. She is the best at making people feel good about themselves, and it's totally sincere. I usually get secretly excited the more people I pass in a race and imagine leaving them in my dust. Big difference between the two of us, but hey, everyone has their own running style right?

Here's Robyn handing off to Amber. Amber is a fantastic runner. She has long, long Robyn and Tawny legs and a really short stride. I'd take her stride any day though, if I could run as fast as she did. One of her legs was primarily downhill and I think she averaged like a 7 minute mile for almost 6 miles! Troy is Amber's husband and he was also a fantastic runner. Between the two of them they have done a ton of marathons. Troy is such a nice guy and was always one of the ones bringing us water while we ran.

Both he and Kirk are one of those rare men that are genuinely nice and are always thinking about others. Maybe that's the reason Kirk is Bishop at age 34? At one really difficult point in the race both guys decided that maybe some of the other runners would like some orange slices and they both peeled a bunch and just held them out for other runners to enjoy.
That was sort of the theme of this relay though, people helping each other out while we ran a total of 188 miles (including van#2). It's not something anyone can do alone (even though there are those crazies out there who supposedly have) and the feelings of camaraderie, friendship, love and support, and positivity was so prominent it was hard not to think of this as one of my favorite experiences that I've had.
Case in point, Amber squeezing ice-cold water on Troy after one of his more brutal legs (he had the hardest legs in our van)and Kirk ready with water and life-savers.




This is me handing off to Heather after my last leg. I can honestly say that it was kind of bittersweet when my job was done. It was a relief on one hand because my body wasn't used to running 13 miles in one day and my knee was starting to hurt. But I was sad too, because it really was fun running with our group through this gorgeous backdrop, and I remember thinking during my last leg that I hoped I could remember this experience forever.


Yes, it really was this pretty!...and can you believe that me of all people forgot my camera??


Bathing in this freezing cold lake after we were all done with our first legs should be permeated in my mind forever! This was THE coldest water I've ever been in, let alone bathed in!






ONE MILE TO GO!!! This was Robyn's last mile on the last leg for the van. We all got out to cheer her on! It was so exciting to think that we were almost done with our almost 100 mile journey!! Robyn did so awesome her last mile and sprinted like a mad woman at the end. I wish I had a pic to show how focused and determined she finished!

13 years ago when I ran the St. George marathon I started off running with a friend but midway she got a cramp and told me to go on. I finished at a respectable 4 1/2 hours and at the time it was my favorite running experience because I had trained with a fun group of people from Franklin Covey.

5 years later I did the Top Of Utah Marathon and met a lady on the bus ride up the canyon that I ended up talking to the majority of the race. I still remember that her name was Vicky Kloberdanz and that she was a way better runner than me and helped me finish at an even more respectable time of 4:09. That experience was also awesome because I had beat my goal. I remember thinking I would scrabbook about it one day. HA! HA! famous last words. I'd love to run another marathon one day and do it under 4 hours. It would also be so fun to run one with Dave or with my girls when they get older. But until then...

this race will be my favorite. I'm so glad Robyn thought to call (sorry it had to be at Jeremy's expense), and so glad I jumped at the opportunity. Thanks again Robyn!! I would love to run this race again one day with 11 crazy friends...anyone interested?