Run. Sleep. Drive. Repeat?

An emotional race in more than one way.

I was pregnant. I started my miscarriage the night before leaving for Utah. I was devastated and very concerned. I didn't want to have to experience that in a van in the middle of Utah during a race...so, should I even go to Utah? Or, do I just walk the race? Would I be hurting the baby?

I bled throughout the night, and decided to continue on with the race (since I had already begun to lose the baby). It was shocking. It was so sad. It was very hard. Who runs a race while losing a baby in the port-a-potty?

The race was my way of coping. I ran hard. I accomplished a lot. 3 legs in all. 18 miles for me. I averaged 8.3 miles per hour. No walking. I think the magical hot pink zebra socks gave me special powers (thanks Leslie!), as well as my Pocahontas bandanna. I was always worried about having a side ache from drinking water, or what to eat right before the race for extra "energy." A half of a bagel usually did the trick for me and no drinking while running.

That last leg was a killer! The 8 miles uphill in the Park City Canyon. Right from the exchange my right knee started THROBBING in pain. I was so bugged! All I wanted to do was have 100% health so I could run well and challenge myself. I kept thinking of the Biggest Loser and how they always pushed through the pain, despite the discomfort. I figured that I wouldn't be doing too much permanent damage...so I KEPT ON RUNNING. I didn't stop once to even walk...I pushed it hard. Eventually, after 2 miles, my knee went numb and I could finally just enjoy the race!

I kept telling myself, "one more mile. You CAN do this. You WILL do this." Every time you passed someone by, that was considered a "kill." I would tag the person mentally on their backs, close my eyes and push a tad bit extra to pass them by. I killed 23 people on that last leg. 43 total during the race. Never did get the guy in the red shirt that I had tagged from the beginning. I sprinted at the finish line, my eyes fixed on the goal and tears brimming with gratitude for being able to endure. My legs were on fire, my heart was pumping hard and I was excited to finish in just over an hour! Not bad for a girl who doesn't consider herself an avid runner.

So...now I am back to reality. Still sad. Still wishing I was prego. But, a week has passed by and I can now focus my "stress" back to my family life...vs. my unpregnant self.

I am grateful I had something else to distract me about. I am grateful I had good health to make it through the race. I emotionally connected with the scenery, good friends, inner strength, physical limitations and upbeat music to keep my head up. I can't think of a better situation when going through such an emotional roller coaster.

It was all about ME this weekend. It's what I needed. No phone calls. No kids begging for candy. No summer school lesson plans. No counting calories. No internet. Just ME and my girls :) It was exhausting only running on 2.5 hours of sleep, bagels, apple slices and water...but, that adrenaline always seemed to kick in right when I needed it.

Arrived in Logan, UT at 1:30am. Up by 5:30am. A great day to race!
Paul was a good sport...the only male. He played it cool, even when we got lost and missed our big exchange with Van #2. What else could we say but, "He's the only male and he didn't have the map! sorry!"
The magical socks of sprinting!



My sweet friends Leslie and April. So grateful to have them along my journey.
A classic moment of the giggles.
Seriously? Elvis? There were all types.
Yep, we think we are pretty hot mama's...+ Paul.


A hot, sticky, dusty and sweaty hug alongside the road.

I did love the countryside. Utah summers are the best!

This was the line for the outhouses! Are you serious?
Poor Paul got sick, but still ran his 9 mile leg uphill at midnight without stopping. Wow!
My 4 miler night run was fun with my headlight, reflector vest and I-pod. I was sad that no one was there to meet me at the finish line (I am just so speedy...or, they got lost...). Team #291? Where are you?
Trying to sleep in a van. 2 hours of sleep total.
But there's always room for pancakes at 1:45am! I wanted to experience ALL of Ragnar. Except for the 2$ showers...I preferred to run in my same clothes for 2 days straight.
My crew waking up from their cold caves outside of North Summit High school.
Leslie was a great physical therapist as she warmed up my ACL for my last leg. Deep Blue was also very refreshing.
Gearing up!
Last exchange!
Off she goes! Up up and away...
You can do it. You can do it. You can do it. No stopping. No walking. Keep running. Up up up.
Sprinting past April...ran back uphill to give her the band. I was on an adrenaline rush!
We felt like teenagers in such a fun ride as we cruised up to the Canyon's in Park City for the finale.
One last shot of our Hot Mama + Paul group!

Thanks John and Valerie Telford for your amazing support, and for being spies amidst the trees and boulders for some great photography. Your energy kept us all going!
Well done girls.