Dropped each of the kids off to a different generous, gracious, capable friend. Cooper with Parker Thompson (thanks Laura!); Barik with Maggie Mecham (thanks Christy and Jeremiah) and then on to stay with Mallory Hall (thanks Darbie and Brad); Andrew with Aaron (thanks Martina) and Drake with me...later to be left with Grandma and Grandpa Boley (thanks Carol and Mike). Paul and I really couldn't have done this without all of your help. Thank you SO much!
Drake and I loaded the plane. Too full for his car seat which I hauled (along with his back pack and my overflowing purse through security) to the gate only to have to leave it on the run way so it could meet me on the other side in SL baggage claim. It was just as well. He was so nervous that he just clung to me like a baby chimp clings to his mama. He was curious about all the going-on's out the window. Got a little ticked when I wanted to take his picture (none of that normal "cheese" stuff that I usually get from him).
After dropping our things off at the Boley's, Paul and I ran to the store to get the essential snacks we would need on our 31 hour adventure...Protein bars, bagels, energy drinks, apples and bananas. This is what we would eat for the next day and a half. Becky already had the water.
Went to sleep at 11.
My alarm went off at 4 a.m. so I could shower and do my hair. Not really sure why I wanted to do my hair, except that at least I would look cute in the beginning photos. Debbi and Brent picked us up at 5 where we met Becky at a local McDonalds (NOT for a saturated fat-filled breakfast, just a good land mark).
Becky, Debbi, Paul and I made the 2 hour drive to Logan where we met Adrienne and April at the starting line at 7:30. My parents also met us at the starting line, having previously decided to join us in our journey as our paparazzi. We all loved it!
Safety checks and meetings followed. Lots of fun pictures were taken at the starting line and then 8:30 came, and just like that, our long-anticipated race began with Becky at the head.
My stomach doesn't do well when it's awake at odd hours. And this was no exception. So, trying to put food into an upset stomach was a huge challenge. I knew I needed the nutrients and the energy that food would offer, but in doing so, would I end up making my stomach more upset than it already was? Hmmmm. What to do? I ate a bagel. That should be easy on my poor little stomach. And we decorated the car. That should be easy on my nerves.
By this time, Debbi was on the road running like she's been running all her life (instead of just under a year). I was so happy for her and so proud of her!
Next in line was Adrienne...Then April...and then ME!!! My first run was by far my most dreaded. AZ is near sea level, so it's easier to breath down here. How do I prepare myself for this elevation? I can't. But I can prepare myself for the length and the climb (which is something else I'm not used to). 7.4 miles with a 1200 foot increase in elevation over Avon Pass. One step at a time... And with a pep talk from Paul, I was off!
Trying to pace myself with Debbi's awesome Garmin watch (which calculates pace, distance, and time--I SO want one!) was helpful. When it felt like I was never going to finish, I would glance at the watch and discover that I was half way done. Only half more to go. I was running on a dirt trail which made enjoying the scenery a little tricky. I was very conscious of every step I took...not wanting to twist my ankle on an unsuspecting rock.
But every once in a while, I would glance around me and was in awe at God's beautiful creations! The stream that trickled as I passed. The aspens swaying in the breeze. The snow capped mountains in the distance. The flora and fauna covered hills that surrounded me. When God created the world, I know He created this place with me in mind. This is my kind of beauty! And it was at this point where the exhaustion set in. It was the middle of the day. Hot. I was running on a nearly empty tank. Trying to stay hydrated. Trying to pace myself. Trying to finish. And then I looked up. And kept looking higher to those amazing snow capped mountains.
And as my eye wandered upward, I asked Him for help. Help to sustain me. Help to finish. Help to lift my spirits. I had energy again. And shortly after that, a new song I had just downloaded to my ipod came on. Not a religious song. At least not one we sing in church, but it lifted me. So, turn on the volume on your computer and find song number 16 on my playlist by Shakira (maybe she goes to church) called Waka Waka. I'll wait...
I know, you can't sit still! I couldn't either.
And so, my feet lifted again and ran. One foot in front of the other. And when that song ended, I listened to it again. And again. And again. And again. Until I didn't have to think about how tired my legs were anymore. And I ran past the "runners needing assistance" signs. And kept running until I finished. (my first leg, at least).
And then handed off to Paul who ran down the other side of the dusty road I had just run up.
With my stomach still churning, and with Paul's stomach now upset, we headed to the nearest store for some heart burn relief. Poor Paul. He was really uncomfortable. Let's hope he feels better before his next run...That's 8 miles I'm not volunteering to take for him.
Our night runs started around 6 p.m. The sun was still up (what kind of night run is that?) and was still pretty warm. Becky had this 8 mile hill infested run. Happy it was her, not me. Then Debbi, then Adrienne (who ended up running so fast that she got the exchange before we did--so sorry!), and then April. And then me AGAIN! I was still totally wasted from my earlier run. All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and go to sleep. But, no time for that. Instead, I got up and ran. Well, sort of. I run 4 miles ALL the time! I could run 4 miles in my sleep. Wait, no I can't. But I sure tried that night. One foot in front of the other.
This is ridiculous!
This should NOT be this difficult for me!
But it was.
I was so tired that holding my head up took more energy than I could muster. Even keeping my jaw together took more energy that I had. So, one foot in front of the other.
Sometimes walking, sometimes running, always wishing I was done!
No scenery to lift my spirits tonight. Only surrounded by darkness. And every once in a while the passing of other teams cars.
Solitude. Dark solitude.
After I handed the slap stick to Paul, I found out that he was feeling a little better. He had asked my Dad for a blessing earlier that evening. Dad blessed him that he would be able to complete the journey he had started. He was unable to eat, unable to drink and definitely dehydrated. He felt horrible all night long, but out of no where (well, not really no where. We know where it came from), he was able to gather the strength to embark on his 8 mile "Very Hard" run. It took him much longer than normal, but he was able to complete it. And ran the whole time. What an accomplishment! And never did we doubt from where the strength had come. HE was with us often!
1 a.m. Time to sleep!
Finally!
We parked at North Summit High School. Rolled our sleeping mats and bags out and fell asleep. For a few hours, anyway. And then the sun was up at 5 a.m. I waited in my cozy coffin of a sleeping bag as long as I could, needing to go to the bathroom, but shunning the cold.
At 6 a.m. we were on the road again ready to accept the hand off from Van 2. A little confusion as to where we were meeting landed us at the exchange an hour late. Thank goodness the other runners, who had run all through the night and were just waiting for us so they could get some sleep, were kind and forgiving and understanding. Especially thanks to Paul's smooth talkin'. He simply explained that we made a big mistake in having only one man in the car, and he was NOT given the map. Thanks for your great sense of humor, Paul. You're the MAN!
My last leg was my shortest.
Three miles.
Piece of cake, right?
Well, after the night run, I had my doubts. My nerves were in full force (AGAIN) and I was over heating waiting for April to make her last climb. Usually I hate wind when I'm running.
More resistance.
But this time was different. I loved the wind and was grateful for it's cooling fingers. It was the only thing that cooled me down.
Up hill.
Down hill.
Dad waiting in the bushes to take photos. "Where's Waldo"?
Family and teams cheering me on.
Pink, polka dot bandanna.
One Hot Mama (literally)!
I CAN DO IT!!!
And I did. I ran my best. I ran my hardest. I ran my fastest. I ran like I run at home. I felt GREAT! I was so happy to end this weekend with a strong run.
After Paul's last run, our team was DONE!!!
After our first solid meal in days at the Dairy Keen, a few of us loaded up in Mom's cute little bug for our drive to the Canyons, where the finish line was waiting for us, and all the other 2000 vans that participated in this event. Can you say "traffic"? Good thing we were in such a sweet ride:)
Too bad Paul and I had to rush off before laying eyes on the finish line so we could catch our flight home ("finish line" pictures in the parking lot will have to do)
...to our sick, burned, and exhausted children who kept me up late into the night and woke me up early in the morning. Happy Father's Day, Paul.
I let you sleep.
The gift I know you would want more than anything else!
