Old friends

It's amazing how with some people you can go years without seeing them and start off right where you ended later on.

A few weeks ago I met up with some old friends from high school.  My kids and Monique's kids hit it off and were asking to play with eachother again the moment we left the park.  So we decided to meet again a couple days later and let the kids play.

Monique is one of my best friends from high school and it was just like old times (plus kids) when we met up.  We played basketball together for 4 years and spent a lot of time out of basketball together.  It's been 13 years since we graduated and I have seen her 2 or 3 times since but I still feel like she's one of my best friends.  Thanks for getting together, Mo.  I had a lot of fun!  Hope to do it again before 10 years pass :).

Eden and Asia

 Brighton and Kamri

 Evan and Logan had fun playing basketball.  Evan was so happy to have someone to play with him.

Ragnar 2012

Last weekend was the RAGNAR - Wasatch Back Relay!!!  My family convinced me to join in with them this year for two days of blood, sweat, tears, and no sleep.  197.4 miles from Logan to Park City in 34+ hours.  Who in the world thought of this warped fun?!

Cameo started us off...

This was her last of three runs.  She's still smiling.

The Lamebodies (minus Terry) at the finish line in all our medaled glory.  We finished in about 34 1/2 hours - about a half hour before our projected finish.  

Jeremy (BIL), Cameo (sis), Travis (cousin), Ty (bro), Pace (bro), Candice (friend), Dave (friend)

Me, Trina (sis), Cassie (SIL), Misti (sis)

This was the first (and probably only) year each of my mom and dad's children were represented

Candace finishing her first run

 Cassie ran 7+ miles up a dirt canyon hill - way to go Cassie!!

End of Cassie's last run

There were some interesting costumes.  Like I said - warped fun

Dave

half of van 2 - Pace, Travis, and Dave

Jeremy

we totally matched and totally did not plan it

all showered and matching again waiting for Candace at the finish line

I was soooooooo excited to be done running I did a cartwheel before the finish line at the end of my third run

before my first run - I had butterflies.  I was nervous for some reason but according to Cameo, "It's just running."  Did I mention I've hated running for as long as I can remember?

Misti 

Second run, I look like I'm in pain

My first run 

I thought it was only 5 miles but in the middle of it my team so nicely informed me it was actually SEVEN!!!

Pace waiting to begin his run at the first major exchange

way to go Pace!!

they provided each time with two Little Caesar's pizzas at the finish line

I was runner 3 so I had leg 3, leg 15, and leg 27

This is the map of leg 3

distance: 6.8 miles

level: hard

time: 69 minutes

 (one minute over projected time)

a few small hills but mostly hard because of the length

Leg 15

distance: 4.9 miles

level: moderate

time: 48 minutes (one minute under my projected time)

I don't remember much of this one.

This was the killer leg 27

distance: 7.7 miles

level: hard

time: 88 minutes (ONLY 8 minutes over my projected time)

This was a beast.  I don't remember much about the first 3.5 miles but I don't remember them being down hill. But the last 4 miles were all up a canyon road (luckily paved) that ran near Jordanelle reservoir.  I hate hills!!  I didn't think there was any way I was going to get through this one alive (only slightly exaggerating) but I did and I did it in only 8 minutes over. (Is there something wrong with being excited even though I didn't do as well as I had planned?)   I was pretty proud of myself though.

Runners of van 1 

(minus Terry who always seemed to be off somewhere when the camera came out)

Cassie, Trina, Me, Cameo, Jeremy

Rockin' team #145 - the Lamebodies

Terry

Travis

Travis to Ty exchange

Trina's holding running the sweaty, nasty orange slap bracelets you pass off at each exchange.  It was sooooo gross.  I just wrapped it around the sleeve of my tank.  I wasn't about to put that thing on my wrist.

Trina to Cassie

Tunnel for Trina's last run

Ty

I guess you're supposed to decorate your van.  Can you tell we really get into it?  

 And you keep track of your kills (a.k.a the people you pass on your runs)

I went into this thinking it wouldn't kill me to do this once and I wanted to have something to work toward and train for.  I wanted to have a goal and do something hard.  That's why I gave in to my family and consented to do it with them.  I had two months to START running and get ready for this.  (Did I mention I don't run - ever?)  I'm glad I did.  The training was actually the hardest part.  Finding time to go for a run when you have five kids and a husband at home is difficult/impossible.  I had to get up at 5:00 am to go to the gym and running on the treadmill is soooooo boring.  I would get outside for a run every once in a while to get my long ones in, but mostly it was in the gym in the early hours.  I want to do it again next year and would think about it but training is hard.

Ben does not understand how this can be fun.  I didn't either.  Even now when he asks why it's fun I really don't know how to answer.  Sitting in a car, cramped with 5 or six other sweaty, dirty people, running for two days on no sleep and trying to find time just to eat does not sound like fun.  Putting it into words just seems down right crazy.  But somehow, it is fun.  Don't ask me why?  I don't have an answer.

Evan's track

This summer we put Evan in track and field.    All he ever wants to do is run around like crazy so this was perfect for him.  He's fast too.  It's hard for me to catch him when we're playing tag.  So needless to say he has been loving it.

His first track meet was a couple weeks ago.  He participated in three events - the 50 meter dash, softball throw, and standing long jump.  He placed third in each event for his age group.  He was pretty excited to get some ribbons for them.  I love seeing him out there having so much fun.  He makes friend so easily.  Whether we're at the park or at track he always comes away with a new friend or two.  

Look at this cute boy!!!

 

 Getting ready for his first run

 They forgot to make the third ribbon for him but that one is waiting for him at his next track meet.

He has since had one other meet.  He participated in three events there as well - 50-meter and 100-meter dash and the long jump.  He placed 8th in the 50-meter, 7th in the 100-meter, and 6th in the long jump.  He only gets a ribbon if he places in the top 6 so he gets one this time.  Out of about 40 boys his age that's pretty good.  He wasn't happy though until he found out he got a ribbon for atleast one.