The Ragnar Relay

What is the Ragnar Relay??? Well let me just tell you a story... Back in January a girl in my ward wanted to get a team together for this relay race, to be run in July. She emailed out to everyone and I really thought that it would be so cool to do it, but I knew I was in no condition to do it and that I would most likely be pregnant by July. I also looked at the recommended training schedule and knew that I couldn't spend enough time, in my life right now, on running. So I passed and thought, maybe someday. Then months later in late April, I really felt strongly about starting to exercise. So I started some pilates videos, and then another friend in my ward asked me if I wanted to start a run/walk program with a couple of other women. So I did. We run 2 nights a week after our kids are in bed, and we started running for 2 min and then walking 3 and doing that 10 times. Then we slowly increased the running time from there. (We still only run 2 nights a week). So then a couple weeks ago someone on the relay team was injured and needed to be replaced and I was asked if I would take his part. I eventually agreed if I could have the easiest legs. He then recovered enough and decided to run in it, so they didn't need me. Then 2 days before the race, another person was injured. She called again and I said I would go, but I had to take this persons legs which weren't the easy ones. I went not knowing if I could even handle it, but oh my gosh, I had the best time! It was so HARD! But there is something about pushing yourself to your absolute limits that is really exhilarating. So we had a 12 person team and we ran a total of 187 miles. It was a continous race that our team hoped to finish in 30 hours. So basically, it was run, drive, try to sleep a little and run again. My team was divided into 2 cars and we stayed with and cheered on the runners in our car and then could rest while the other 6 ran their legs. I ran a total of 14.6 miles. My hardest leg I had to run at 2am, it was 6.3 miles with a total elevation gain of 792 feet! I thought I would have to walk the whole thing! But I just kept going and going and ended up finishing it in 75 minutes and only had to walk briefly in 2 spots. Overall the team finished 120 out of 142 teams with a time of 29:32:55. We were all able to cross the finish line together. It was so great to see my family waiting at the end for me!! Todd is so supportive and was so proud of me - He is so great! It was an amazing experience that I will never forget! I am so thankful to have been able to be a part of it!!