Wasatch my back

This past weekend I ended up in Utah on yet another trip.  This time it was to run in another  Ragnar relay race.  Some people hear about these things and think that they are crazy (and they are totally right to think so) but I seriously think that they are so fun.  There is something fun about being around other people who are crazy enough to stay up all day and all night to run a total of 178 miles.  Last time the race was in Arizona but this time it was in the promise land of Utah.  

Our teams name was Ryan Seacrest. Not sure why. But this is our pre-race picture of Van #1 of Ryan Seacrest.  Our team was short a runner so I recruited one of my favorite people in the world to run with us.  Miss Emily Beesley.  With out training for this race she jumped on team Seacrest and was awesome!  

Jeremy, April, Emily, Lisa, Rodney,Kelly

This is the first hand-off between Rodney and I.  I was runner number two.  I was worried about running in Utah since it has a slightly different elevation then her in corona del mar... but what I didn't really think about was the heat.  Oh my goodness, the elevation was no problem.  But it was so hot.  My first run was 6.7 miles in 95 degree weather.  At one point a kid sprayed me with a hose and literally in two minutes I was completely dry again. 

This is Rodney getting ready to head out for his night run.  I think this is my favorite part of the race.  The night run is amazing.  There is something so cool about running in the middle of the night with nothing but the stars and the moon.  There is nothing else like it.  

One of the best parts about this race is that its a team effort.  Most running events are really individual but this one its all about supporting your team and I had an awesome team.  Lets just say that we found a radio station that played Paula Abdul right after playing Snoop Dogg. Plus Rodney brought a blow horn... so you can only imagine the fun we had and the friends/enemies we made with that.  

 Emily running with me on my last run while she gave me water. 

So.. I owe Utah an apology.  Those of you who know me know that I am kind of anti-Utah.  I think that its a great place to visit but I have always been kind of aversive to it.  But that's because I apparently have never gone to the right places before. Seriously, for most of the race (basically every where except my three runs) we had amazing views, fields of green and flowers, and lakes.  I was shocked and totally had to take back a lot of the negative things that I have said about Utah.  It is a beaUTAHful place.  I still hope that I never have to live there. BUT... I do have a new found appreciation for it. 

 Rodney, Me (my frowy I've run 15 miles hair), Jeremy, Emily

The girls of Van #1... Kelly, Me (more frowy hair) Lisa (hiding in the back), Emily

My tough face (I am not so tough), Kelly, Jeremy, Lisa, Emily

This is the full team of Ryan Seacrest! 

Our team was full of amazing people.  I was so glad to get to know the people that I ran with better.  Just one question for my team "How do you breath with no air?"