Running Memory

( picture of yesterdays storm clouds in Olympus Cove via KSL)
Last night it was again HOT...but I saw the dark clouds start to roll in, and I decided that even though I wasnt feeling it- I would still get out to run. I rarely want to take the kids...even Tristan. He doesnt love sitting in the stroller and half the time he is dropping stuff or complaining wanting to get out. But last night I thought the pressure would be off on doing a long run and with Tristan- I could do a short 30 minute jog. No sooner had we left did the wind start to pick up, drops of rain were falling. I had Tristan in just a t-shirt and a diaper to keep him cool and I was in heaven.
Now the part about the run that I want to remember- is about half way through we are running downhill, but instead of having to use the breaks on the downhill, I literally was PUSHING the jogging stroller downhill due to the wind being so strong. The rain was punishing and our hats were blown off. I had a small blanket in the stroller which I put over Tristan and he was laughing saying "its raining, its raining"! The shade cover was blowing back and I have locked in my memory of my little bugs trying with all his might to get the blanket wrapped abound his naked legs, and him looking up with me with his adorable blue eyes and a big smile on his face.

Elijiah !

This weekend has been a good one so far- swimming, TS3, lots of family time...
HOWEVER- Elijiah will be leaving tuesday for 9 days. YES 9!

I get a little lost without my kids for even just a few days- and Im dreading his time away.
He will be heading out with Khory and family to Maine for a reunion of sorts...and I know he will have a lot of fun. There are rivers to canoe, camping adventures, cousins to see, beaches to explore and plenty of seafood to eat.

I told him that before he left Id have to snap a few pictures so I could remember him by( he rolled his eyes, but indulged me..)

But only for a few seconds before he was back playing his cards. I do love this one...and will miss him terribly.....

Ill admit- hes taken over

its the overwhelming and constant exhaustion that has allowed this bad habit. weve given up..this little one seems to end up in bed with us every night. instead of fighting it and moving him back to his bed, its just easier to have him join us. in all actuality it seems to be helping us all a bit...instead of being ready to face the day at 5 am- he has been known to sleep an hour or two longer. what can I say- when his warm little body climbs in next to me, and he says he wants to "snuggle"-- im a sucker.

ragnar 2010

WOW what can I say? Having never done the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay, I didnt know what to expect....we as a VAN -were amazing. I was with incredible women( didnt meet until days before the race) but it didnt matter. Heather/Heidi( sisters) Suzanne and Corinne( sisters) and mom and I. We had great spirits about us, were ready to go and have some fun. Those that dont know what ragnar is---its a relay race involving 12 runners. 2 vans( 6 people each) and you run 188 miles- from Logan to Park City all within 30 hours. We each picked our legs of the race( except mom, who I assigned and I have to say feel sooo bad for her after the fact- it was the hardest in the van)and we alternated running. After we ran our legs of the race, VAN 2 started their 6 runs, and so forth until the finish. The plan was to meet up at the end to celebrate and take a complete team picture at the end.

The day started out beautiful and we each ran. I was leg 2 and was feeling great. My pace was steady and while really tired at the end of the 7 miles, felt good. Things started to get rough around Corinne's leg as it was Avon pass, lots of dust( the road was a trail with all the cars having to go on it too)and then Mom had the tough downhill 8 miles with rocks, and cars to navigate through. She pushed hard and finished strong.

At that exchange- our van was done and we handed it over to the "red" team to continue on. We had only 3 hours to rest and refuel before we were back in our running shoes.

When we all met up again at exchange 12, it was at a major rest stop where we grabbed some food, and got into our night running gear....( oh on a side note- so many friends were running, and I met up with Jaynanne-see blog roll- we were running the same leg, it was fun to see her)

We all plugged along and we started to get a bit worried for Heidi as she had been feeling very sick and not sure if she was going to feel up to running. But trooper that she was - got out of the van and hit the road. Mom was last and it was grueling. 8 miles VERY HARD uphill. She said that she felt well the first 3 miles, but the last 5 miles were horrific. Not only had she felt very tired from her first run, but running late at night, not having eaten enough to keep her going she was beyond spent after her run. She got sick, and was not able to walk well. With the prospect of another run ahead Im sure she was cursing me in her head as to why she was doing such a race in the first place. I dont think she was having much fun.

We handed things off to Van 2 and we went to Corinnes house for a much needed 2 hour shut eye. Upon waking up from our "nap", mom was still not feeling great, Heidi was still sick, and we were all tuckered out. I have to say its the eating and sleeping that will determine if you have fun on this race...( oh and if you dont hurt yourself )

My third leg was an easy morning run of 3 miles and while I was slow, my knee injured, I had a good run. All of us did amazing. Mom as hurt as she was carried on and finished proud. She is amazing.

Unfortunately our plans to hang around till the finish were thwarted. Each of us in Van 1 couldnt imagine staying awake, or hanging around for another 5-6 hours until our Van 2 finished and it was a good thing. Mom still isnt feeling well a day later, and we were told Heidi did end up going to the dr. I got home to a wonderful surprise( see pics below) my baby and 14 hours of sleep. Honestly now well rested, fed and no longer in agony I wished to have partied with the girls at the finish but what can I say.

Looking back having done it- there would have been things I would have changed, but SO glad I did it. Id like to put it on record that during the race at times I wondered" this is supposed to be fun?" I would do another one! Ragnar was a blast!!!!!!

VAN 1- Sugar and Spice- right at the starting line...

Heather, Heidi, Suzanne-before we started
Heather at the end of her first leg

Feeling strong still( oh to only know how lack of sleep will catch up to ya)

Me and Mom

First leg running....

Suzanne

Corinne

Mom

Corinne and Mom

Heather( Exchange 12)

Van 2 Sugar and Spice

Getting ready for my night run

end of second leg

mom and I before she started her run...seriously had we known....

Looking strong!

Leg 3
IM DONE!

Heidi and Mom

silly boys....

Mom leg 3

The team as a whole( -Heidi, had sinus infection/bronchitis-finished her leg then was off to the Dr)

This was waiting for me when I got home....best hubby ever!!

Ragnar Prep begins

Ragnar is tomorrow...and we have begun to decorate the van( van 1 that is) We have each of the runners names on it, with boxes to check off the legs we run. We will have additional lights, boas, and anything pink we can throw on it. Should be fun.

* on a side note...see that Thule rack? Yea well sad story. It was one of the many things Khory got in the divorce. It was pricy. After a fallout with getting a roof rack from someone this week( you know who you are- mom), I called Khory and asked oh so nice- if I could borrow it. He kindly agreed. FORGETTING that im now in a TALLER vehicle I attemped to enter a garage and immediately scraped, and crushed the back end of this thing and caused a 4-6 inch crack in the roof rack. I plan on fixing it, but I told Khory I would replace it(there goes a month worth of savings)...afterall its the right thing to do. Silver Lining-I will end up with this one( damaged -but still in good condition) in the end .. :(

Whats new?

What have we been up to? Well the flu hit hard last week and its been fun recovering...schedules returning to normal, house that had to be sanitized, our housewarming planned, and overall run of the mill STUFF.
We had a great weekend however- friends and family came over and helped us eat lots of food! :)
This week we are preping for the Wasatch Ragnar Relay race on Friday so Im sure that lots of blogging and pictures will follow.

Ideal Weight

What they say is true" You are only one stomach flu away from your ideal weight". Im happy to report the last 5 pounds have magically disappeared over the last 24 hours. The sad part is I know its going to return the moment I start eating again. :(