Wasatch Back Ragnar 2013

After my Colorado Ragnar in September, I was certain I wanted to do another.  Let's just say I fell a little bit in love with relays.  I said it after Colorado, but I'll say it again, the relay format brings two of the best components of running together: you have the freedom to run your own race, but you also get to have the social aspect of connecting with friends during van time.  LOVE it!  Brandon and Tina Goss, who I ran Colorado with, felt the same, and we wanted to get our friends, Michael and Kristen Gutierrez, and Adam in too for a fun little couples' running getaway.  They were happy to give it a go, and the Wasatch Back Ragnar seemed like a good one to try; Utah is close-ish and it sounded like a beautiful course, so we decided to sign up.  I emailed a hardcore running friend of mine who lives up in Utah, Becky Maynard, to see if she was interested in putting together a second van, and she quickly responded that she was in!  I did let her know we were not in it to win it, just to have fun, and she was good with that.

With our vans set, I went ahead and registered us back in October.  Unfortunately, we ended up on the waiting list...so we waited.  Fortunately, the WB Ragnar is incredibly popular, as it is the original Ragnar and Utahns are all crazy runners, plus this year was the 10th anniversary of the original race, so Ragnar made an entire second day of racing.  We were instantly enrolled in the Thursday/Friday Ragnar!  Exciting!

It was interesting captaining a team, especially with half of the team located in UT/ID.  I wasn't sure how often I should communicate and sometimes when I did I wouldn't hear back from anyone, so I wasn't sure if anyone even got the email.  We were plagued with injuries: Achilles tendon, abdominal strain, ankle twist, IT band, bad knees, strained foot.  Then there were the illnesses: Tina had to go through a second round of radioactive iodine for the thyroid cancer she had been diagnosed with three years ago, and Becky was diagnosed with a mysterious ultra-low estrogen level just before the race.  Not to mention the challenges we had with finding volunteers!  I wasn't sure we were going to make it to Ragnar in the end, and if we did it was going to be at full limp!  But when race day arrived, we were amazingly good to go!   

We were Team Runaway Brides (Brandon's idea), and it was SO much fun!  The ladies decked out in tutus and the men in bowties.  We didn't meet the members of Van 1, other than Becky and Ben who we knew, until our the first major exchange on race day (major exchanges are when the vans switch, minor exchanges are just when one runner takes over for another in their own van), but they were all such awesome people.  It was fantastic doing this with them all.  I am sure they had as much fun in their van as we did in ours!

We left midday on Wednesday for UT, planning on staying at Tina's aunt and uncle's house in Huntsville, a perfect place to stay the night, as our van's first set of legs began only about 5 miles from their home.  It was a darling home in a beautiful location, and Tina's aunt and uncle were such great hosts.  They carbed us up in the morning with pancakes and fortified us with omelets.   And we couldn't help but have some fun at their house before we left.  {Run}away bride?  Nah!  We escaped in a golf cart! The pro of being Van 2, no early start time!  We slept in a little and had a relaxing morning, all but for the sting I got from a wasp that had gotten itself trapped in my veil.  I'm sure I'm not the first bride to have had that happen!  The con? Night runs: all. night. long.  We ran through the heat of the afternoon and had to try to sleep before a normal bedtime hour, and then awake again to run around midnight.

I loved running with Adam and he totally blew me away!  My hero, indeed!  He started this race off not really loving running, other than on a basketball court, and never having run a real race before, he's done the Color Run and the Warrior Dash, both of which are short fun runs that we took super slow, but nothing where he really had to push himself.  He only decided to do it because he wanted to experience it with me.  {awwwww!}  He committed himself and trained hard.  In the end, he trained enough that he had to take a difficult set of legs from another of our vanmates who didn't do much training at all (our van was a little plagued by lack of training!).  Adam ran the FURTHEST number of combined miles for our van and only .2 less miles than the longest run for all of our team: 20.7 miles!  YEAH!  Two of those were 7+ mile runs, one UP a steep mountain, the other DOWN a steep mountain (both very difficult to do!), with a 5+ night run in the middle.  And even with all that he totally kept to his predicted pace, even shaving off a few minutes here and there.  MAN.  He was awesome!  I cried when I saw him coming up the hill to the finish of his first leg...he was amazing! 

My total mileage was 19.2, the second highest mileage for our van, 3rd overall, and before you accuse me of being a horrible wife to make my beginner runner husband take the longer total distance, the reason I ran this set of legs is because the night run, smack in the middle, was 11.2 miles.  Adam and I talked about it and we both felt that I was more prepared to run that distance in one shot.  Running that long in the middle of the night, I think I started around 12:30am and finished after 2am, was certainly interesting, and a little creepy, but unlike Colorado, with such a big number of runners there were people around me all the time, which was much more comforting.  Plus, my last leg, which on the Ragnar pace calculator, in the column that usually indicated the difficulty level it just said "You've Got To Be Kidding Me!!!" was 4.4 miles UP A {K2-STEEP, I swear to you} MOUNTAIN.  I gained over 1500 feet of elevation in that short distance, and the first 1.5 miles were just a slight uphill slope, not so bad, so all that steep was packed into one 3 mile stretch.  I ran as much of it as I could, and then walked, using big strides to keep my pace up, then ran, then walked, then ran...finishing 6 minutes before my expected finish time.  It made me feel good to know the only dude who passed me had all the looks of a very serious runner, and he ran-walked just like I did up the hill, and I finished only about 30 yards behind him.  I felt so empowered.  Probably one of the hardest things I've ever done.  It was exhilarating!

One of my favorite things about the running community is that it is full of good people and Ragnar brings out the best in folks.  In the super fast, in-it-to-win-it world, I suppose there is competition, but for the rest of us Regular Joe Runner, there is just a lot of camaraderie.  I love that!  On that monster hill, the runner dude and I passed the "One Mile To Go" sign together, I joked that I had never been happier to see a sign in my life and he chuckled and said, "Let's do this."  At the end I thanked him for helping to keep me going.  Another guy approached me as we waited for Adam to finish one of his legs, gave me a fist bump and told me he had been trying to catch me the entire first leg but I was too quick.  Adam thanked the girl who he had been chasing his entire night leg for pushing him to run harder.  We all ran varying legs, some harder, some easy, but we cheered and praised no matter the mileage or pace.  We were a team, absolutely, and every other runner was a little bit a part of it.  We celebrated each other's triumphs and helped encourage each other along the course.  The Van One-ers we didn't even know before the race, feel like friends now, and we only saw them for a total of maybe 1 hour during the entire 2 days.  This is why I love Ragnar.  It is such a crazy, challenging, fun, difficult, happy, sleepless, empowering event that you get to do with friends!

Running this Ragnar, despite the HUGE difficulty factor this time around, totally reaffirmed my love for this relay format!  It also made me rethink running a marathon.  Oye!  I am still unsure how much I want to run that far in one shot...even if it is on the bucket list.  I'm already trying to convince my Runaway Bride vanmates to do another Ragnar in AZ next February!  And of course, Northwest Passage is already waiting for Adam and I next month!  Yipee!

Setting off from Colorado Springs!

Kristen has a huge vinyl cutter and made us some awesome decals to decorate our van.

Early Thursday morning I got this picture text from Van 1, all ready to go!  Ben, Becky, Jason, Annie, Katie and Landon.

The Van 2 Bridemobile

Nope, I wouldn't run away from this groom!

Getting in the zone...it was a long wait to start for Van 2!

Having some fun before heading out for major exchange 1.

Dang wasp!

The getaway vehicle!

Go, brides, go!

Finally, Van 2 go time!

Sweet tats.

The ladies of Van 2.

Van 2 meets up with Van 1 at major exchange 1, Brandon was off on his first leg!

The team tunnel!  We were so energized on the first legs!

Adam starting his 7+ mile climb.  Go, baby go!

Trying to relax at Snow Basin Resort after some tough first legs while waiting for Adam.

KILLED it.

I totally earned that s'more!

Kristen coming in for the finish of our first round of legs.

Major exchange 2!  Hey, Becky!  Kristen, who had only met her briefly that morning and was totally in the running zone, passed her right by.  Becky had to chase her down.  Hahahaha!

Time to catch some zzzzz's while we wait for our second round of legs.  Nothing says "comfort" like sleeping in the grass outside of a middle school.

I think Adam is the only one who really fell asleep.

Running under the Supermoon!

Night legs.

The entire course elevation map and my three legs.  Please note the leg description on that last one, no "easy," "moderate," "hard," or "very hard."  Just "You've got to be kidding me!"  Ha!  That is what I was thinking the entire way up!

Dawn at major exchange 3, SO ready to hand off that slap bracelet and get some rest at a nearby high school.

Among all the thousands of people, we happened to bump into a couple who we knew back in the day!  They were in our ward in Bellevue when we lived on Cougar Mountain when Ben and Zac were teeny, and then they went to BYU for MBA one year after Adam and I did and ended up in our ward there too.  It was so great to run into them!

One leg to go!

THAT was the mountain I climbed up!  Started in that valley...ended 1500+ feet up!

Waiting for Adam to finish his last leg.

DONE!  Keeping cool with the damp head cloth...seriously a life saver on those last legs!

Our team joining Kristen for the final 200m, coming into the finish line together!  HOORAY!

Kristen bringing it home for our team, Michael by her side.  There were tears.  It was awesome.

The Runaway Brides!

A final toast to an awesome team on an amazing race!

Heading home.

One-and-a-Half Weeks of Instagram: June 10th to June 19th

Ragnar Wasatch Back, one day home, Stake Daughters of Virtue Girls' Camp, one day home, Washington...that is what the weeks ahead look like for us starting tomorrow, so I thought I'd do the Instagram digest post a little early to get us all caught up before the here/there/everywhere begins.  As a matter of fact, by the time this post goes up, our team will be 45 minutes into our relay race.  I didn't take many pictures last week that didn't have to do with the fire, so there aren't a ton of photos like there have been some weeks, but there is still plenty to share.

Here we go:
Colorado may be a tough place to get things to grow, but I think the unexpectedness of what does grow may just make those blooms seem even prettier.  Zac attended one week of summer beginner band camp so he could learn how to transfer his clarinet skills to his new instrument--the baritone saxophone; it's big and heavy and super loud (he may have to practice inside the car in the garage), it sounds really cool, and Zac is loving it.  Last week I took on a fabric project that was right up my alley--the no-sew tutu--simple, cute, {hugely poofy!} and does not require needle and thread; tutu-making was a nice, happy distraction from the fire news and now I am all ready with my team costume for our Wasatch Back Ragnar, team Runaway Brides.  I may, or may not, have done some stress eating during the fires, polishing off a container of Tillamook Mudslide without the need for a bowl.  While Skyping with my dad on Father's Day, I discovered the source of Luke's new favorite "funny face"--the ol' finger up the nose trick--thanks a whole bunch, Dad!  Zac left on Monday morning at 4:15am for a week of sleep-away Scout Camp--my heart is all achy with missing him.  Later that day, I kidnapped Adam from work, forced him to share jumbo soft pretzels and cheddar beer soup with me for lunch at the Colorado Brewing Company, and then dragged him to see Man of Steel--I'm such a cruel wife; but when he asked me what time I was kidnapping him on Tuesday for another feast and movie, I felt that was evidence that he had forgiven me.  We spent a lovely, summery Colorado morning at the park with our Murdock pals; Grandma Nic arrived late on Tuesday night, returning to us to watch the boys while Adam and I run and then hang out with Adam for a couple of extra days while I am away at camp--we are so thankful!

Shift Change Rally

Monday night, in an effort to show our gratitude, we took advantage of an incredible opportunity to cheer on our first responders as they returned to Command Central located at Pine Creek High School at the evening shift change.  This includes the firefighters (wildfire, city, county), National Guard, EMTs and paramedics, police officers (sheriff, county and city), forest service, wildfire engineers, and myriad other public service groups--I had no idea the sheer number of people and organizations that were involved in fighting a big fire like the Black Forest Fire.  Rallies like this had been going on every night and morning at the 8am and 8pm shift changes since the day after the fire began, one of them had over 2,000 people attend, and I was glad we could make it to one.  It was stormy and off-and-on rainy, but we figured if they can fight the fires in the conditions they do, we could endure an evening of chilly rainfall in order to say "thank you!"  We ran into a couple other families that are good friends of ours, which made the night even more enjoyable, and saw or heard of several other families we know that were there. 

We arrived early and waited for a long time for the shift to come in.  We weren't sure what to expect.  Replacements slowly trickled out for around an hour-and-a-half, all to hearty cheering.  Some heading to the fire, some heading home, as their services were released now that the fire is 85% contained.  We were a little worried watching the lightning move in our direction, but spirits were light and the atmosphere was happy and excited so we stuck it out.  A couple of Schwan's guys walked by, passing out free ice cream cones to all the rally-goers.  Another woman and her two boys passed out home-baked cookies.  Our boys were sure happy! 

The crowd grew to around 200 people by the time the trucks started rolling in just before 8pm.  Tanker trucks, military trucks, ladder trucks, pump trucks, cargo trucks, tractor-trailers pulling earth-moving machinery, many trucks I don't know the names of, and buses and trucks full of soot-covered men and women, waving, looking exhausted but happy.  It was so awesome!  The lights were flashing, the rally-goers were cheering, the sirens blaring, the rain falling, "thank yous" filling the air.  It was crazy!  We loved it!  The trucks were from all over, as far as Montana and Wyoming, and from counties and cities all over the state of Colorado. In one truck that passed, we could see a young forest serviceman, looking out at the cheering crowd, his eyes filling with tears.  If that didn't make it all worth it, I don't know what would have. 

This is my community.  It's the BEST community!  I love living here.  I love that I get to live in a place where people come together to show gratitude, spending a night out in the chilly wind and rain just to say "thank you" to those who have sacrificed and labored for our city day after day.  It happened during the Waldo Canyon Fire too.  It's an incredible feeling to know that we are a part of a community of people that know how support one another and are humble enough to say "thank you."

Our Favorite Dad

He works so hard to provide a good home and a comfortable life for us.  He makes an effort to be at every single soccer game or race scheduled, and feels true loss when he cannot be there.  He has loads of advice to share, not that it's always heeded, but that doesn't mean it's not good advice.  He laughs at jokes he's heard a thousand times, jokes so old he told them when he was a young boy too...but he still laughs.  He loves sharing boy life with his boys like camping, hiking, orienteering, sports, digging in the sand.  He wishes we lived closer to water.  He is quietly faithful, and so proud of the boys' forward progress on their own individual walks of faith.  He drives an old station wagon with pride.  He supports his wife, talking to her, laughing with her, smooching her, encouraging her.  He tries new things outside of his comfort zone to push himself and set a good example.  He is dedicated to the things that are important for a well-lived life.  He gets outside and plays with his boys.  He is hard to beat at wrestling.  He wishes he could watch more sports, but only turns a game on when he knows someone else wants to watch it with him so it can be together time.  He is good at his job.  He loves to read, especially about battles of good versus evil.  He loves superheroes.  He has many hopes, and worries, for the future.  He wanted to be a stunt car driver when he was a little boy.  He strives to improve when he sees the need to do so.  He is good at being a hands-on, hands-off dad: being present, there to help and support, while letting the boys try--and fail--and succeed--on their own.  He helps around the house and is a pretty good Mr. Fix-It, if the job is small.  He wants to replace the grass with artificial turf.  He leads and lifts, and sets his expectations high.  He loves us, deeply.

He is our Adam, Dad, Daddy, Dada.  And we are so grateful for him.  Happy Father's Day, Adam!  

And of course, without the dads that raised us, Stan and Dan, and who continue to support and love us, we would not be who we are today.  We cannot say 'thank you' and 'we love you' enough! 

Tolerant Tommy

Temperament in children is a funny thing.  My mom loves to say that with my five boys, all from the same family, it is amazing how there are really five very unique, very different personalities among them. 

Three-years-old has certainly proven that Tommy is not quite the angel he was for the first two years, with his stubborn refusals and passive-aggressive forgetfulness, but he remains the most laid-back, tolerant child we have.  He has got to have the highest pain threshold of any person I know.   Sometimes we wonder if some of the tolerant gene in Luke was left behind, and then that extra left-over gene got attached to Tommy.

On Friday Tommy mentioned after dinner that his ear was a little sore.  We asked him some general questions about it, inside or outside, pokey or achy, etc. but he seemed to bore of the questioning before finding a resolution, so we told him if the hurt got worse to let us know. 

Fast forward to Saturday dinner, Adam looked down the counter at Tommy, "Colleen, what's on Tommy's cheek?  Is that blood?"  Why yes, yes it was.  And it was coming out of his ear!!  We were quite alarmed and I took him immediately to urgent care.  Tommy meanwhile was ho-hum about the whole ordeal and, frankly, rather cheerful by all accounts.  Conclusion by the PA we saw: really bad ear infection. 

Now, I don't know about you, but if I had an ear infection so bad that it was bleeding out of my ear...well, I can assure you there would be moaning, possibly screaming, demands for very strong drugs, a plethora of tears, and quite possibly myriad expletives pouring forth.  Tolerant Tommy?  No.  Not even a whimper.