Wasatch your back, foo!

So, 2 weeks ago I had the oppurtunity to participate in a 180 mile relay called the Ragnar Wasatch Back. It started in Logan on Friday morning and ended in Park City on Saturday afternoon. I was on a team of 12 runners, split into 2 vans. We finished in just under 30 hours and placed 350 out of about 580 teams. But, I was not in it for the love of running.

Oh no, I am not a runner, maybe a wannabe. More of a jogger. So, why did I do it? Well, 2 days away from the kids, on a big road trip/campout/sleepover sounded pretty appealing even if I did have to run 15.5 miles along the way.

Here are some highlights:

1. Stopping in at Grandma's house which happened to be right along the race route!

2. Michelle coming into the transition point from her first leg eating a mysterious red popsicle.

3. Kids along the route spraying you with their garden hoses, bless these littel angels.

4. Jumping into a mountain lake to wash up and cool off after everyone in our van had finished their first legs.

5. Thad, the newly turned 50 year old, hanging his boxer breifs on the van's passenger side mirror to let them air dry while we drove.

6. The night run, ahh the night run. How I loved you! Through a small town, listening to the Dixie Chicks, families set out lawn chairs in their front yards, bundle in blankets, offer you a drink, and cheer you on!

7. "sleeping" in the bleachers of the high school swimming pool. So hot and humid, we had to strip down. There really wasn't another option.

8. Breakfast at a little Heber cafe, boy did we throw down the buckwheat pancakes!

9. Running across the finish line as a team, twirling lacey bras and $1 jock straps over our heads, trying not to tear up at the sense of accomplishment.

10. My favorite thing about the race was the team support system. How would it be in our everyday lives if every 10-15 minutes there was a group of loved ones telling you how great you are doing, appreciating your efforts, cheering you on, and asking how they can help you succeed at accomplishing your task? Such a positive environment! That is why I grew to love my team so dearly. Well, that and the type of bond that can only be created by sharing very close quarters without showers or sleep for 30 hours or so. Conversations became very candid to say the least. So, would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

This is our team at the finish line: 6 Bras and 6 Supporters. "Holdin everything - and nothing - back!"