Legs, Breasts, and Wings---Ragnar Time Again!!

I ran the Ragnar-Wasatch Back again last weekend.  It was the fourth year in a row.  I do believe it will be the last...at least for a year or so.  I'm not good at staying up all night.  It takes me days to recover from the lack of sleep. Even though I was injured this year and took the easiest leg, it's such a difficult and yet fun adventure.   It sure is an experience, one in which I'm so happy to have had!  If anything it's great to spend the weekend in a van with five amazing women (this year six).  We laugh, chat, cheer each other on, and basically have a good ole' time!

Lindsay, Debra, Sheri, Anne, Me, and Cynthia
Pre-Start-Logan

Here are the highlights...and some lowlights....of this year's race.

JaNae and Sheri

1.  Good friend JaNae was injured this year.  However, she came as the chauffeur and support crew.  We were thrilled to have her along!!

2.  Cynthia graciously stepped in at the last minute.  She had some hard legs.  One of which being the long, hot, downhill run from Snowbasin.  She even ran in a a bit of snow outside of Snowbasin.  Yes, snow in June!!

Cynthia our first runner leading the way.

3.  Anne is such a strong runner.  She is positive and cheers every one along the way.  She had a rough third leg...tossed her cookies along the way...but we were all amazed that even though she felt sick she kept cruising up the Jordanelle hill.  She was wearing the wings, and the women and the water stop were amazed that "the butterfly"  floated all the way to the top!

Anne being silly

Anne just before Jordanelle climb

4.  Linsday was so nervous about her 7.4 mile climb up Avon Pass.  She did so well.  We all commented on what great form she had.  Even though it was hot and dusty she kept plugging along.  When she finished she said it wasn't as bas as she had made it out in her head to be.  That's always a plus!

Lindsay a bit nervous to run up Avon Pass.

Lindsay rocks Avon

5.  Debra said she felt unprepared this year.  You wouldn't know it though.  She ran her legs with such ease!  We were also once again so thrilled that she let us borrow her Dad's extendo van!

Debra's water stop.

Anne handing of to Debra

6.  Sheri had very difficult legs.  The first was downhill from Avon Pass.  The second was uphill to East Canyon.  She ran the East Canyon leg close to midnight.  It was much colder than we thought it would be.  She wasn't prepared for the temperature, but I think she really enjoyed this leg.  Knowing that it might take us a long time to get to the exchange we drove ahead and didn't see much of her.  On her last leg we passed a McD and "rewarded" her with an ice cold Diet Coke at the exchange.  It was hot!!

Sheri earned a sombrero from Cafe Rio during her first leg.

Sheri anticipating her downhill run.

7.  I loved my first leg.  Even though it felt a bit warm it was such a beautiful run through nearby streams and cow pastures.  So pastoral!  I even loved the big hill.  I kept reminding myself that I loved hills....mind over matter...and it worked.  It was almost 7 miles, and it flew by!

8.  My second leg, even though it was the shortest and easiest Ragnar leg I have EVER run...only 3 totally flat miles, it was absolutely the most difficult.  Long story short, I've been injured the past month and haven't been running.  Been to the Dr., with no definite diagnosis.  Anyway, on this particular leg I could have sworn my foot was broken!  With each step I cried in agony in my head.  I was too proud to walk though.  There were even tears at one point.  It was so hard.  I wasn't sure I could complete my final leg in the morning just a few hours later.

9.  When I heard my last leg was going to be 3.6 miles instead of the 3.0 mile I had hoped, I thought I might cry again.  Interestingly enough though it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I had kept my shoe on from the night prior (yes, even napped with it on), to keep the swelling down.  I even passed quite a few runners in the last 1.5 miles.

Just before my night run...it doesn't look like night, but we had to wear reflective gear from 7:30 on.

10.  After we were finished with all three of our legs we went and showered, and waited at the finish line for Van #2.  It took a long time for them to cross this year.  Must have been the snow on Guardsman Pass?

Debra, Anne and Me hanging at the finish

Entire Legs, Breasts and Wings team.