I did it! I was scared, but the time came for the Ragnar and I did it!
12 girls split into 2 vans, and we ran 192 miles from Logan to Park City. I'm not sure how much I really feel like writing about the experience...I'm sitting here getting exhausted just thinking about it.
Let's just say it was a blast. Here's a quick summary of my own experience this year:
My first run was hard but fun: 1.5 miles unpaved uphill over Avon Pass, 4 miles steep unpaved downhill with gorgeous views, with a couple miles flat (worst part actually). My second run pleasantly surprised me by being a beautiful and almost spiritual night run and probably my most rewarding run. I was terrified to run 8 miles uphill, but it was the perfect temperature with rolling hills that kept my legs feeling fresh. As the sun went down it got quiet, but I was still surrounded by runners and vans that lit the way. I could see the vans lining up going up steep hills ahead of me, but somehow I totally rocked every hill (YEAH!). Coming down the last hill and seeing a bright light at the finish line was magical!
That night we arrived at a designated sleeping area around midnight. This is the part of Ragnar no one tells you about. This was a high school that let everyone sleep on the gym floor. It looked like a refugee camp. Hundreds of people in sleeping bags in tight rows, snoring and not exactly smelling like daisies. Because it was so crowded, people had also filled the hallways. I found a random empty area and tried to pass out. Well 2 hours after dealing with the heat of the place, not being able to lie with my sore hips on the hard floor, and having my mind racing, the cafeteria I was close to started preparing breakfast which would be served at 2:30 am. Well I was pretty much awake after that. I think I got 30 minutes of sleep total. But you know, as we left the school into the freezing cold, I walked past the nastiest fart-plus-grimy-feet-smelling hallway that made me think it could have been worse (and I could have been in van 2 who ran through the night). But next year I may sleep in the van.
My third run was supposed to be "easy" but it was rough. I ran in the morning and when I woke up I could hardly move. Everything was sore. But somehow I got those 3 miles done without too much pain. After we all finished our 3rd legs, we had a chance to eat and shower (glorious!) and change into our attempt at fun 80's attire, while van 2 finished their last legs of the race. Then we met up with everyone at the finish line. Victory!
Here's some photos, a mix of mine and Jen's from the 32 hours.
If I didn't describe the race well enough, here's a video that Matt (AJ's brother) sent me shortly after I finished the race. Thanks, Matt! Ha.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Red Air day in Logan
Last Saturday AJ's sister Ashlee came to visit. That evening we went lookin for some inner-tainment and found ourselves at a real bonified Utah truck pull. A truck pull. It was pretty much was it sounds like.
Now, I don't know the "lingo" so bear with me. Basically, there is this trailer thing with a big weight on it, and a guy sits in it and pushes buttons that makes the weight slide around and get harder to pull. Then you take a hick in a jumpsuit who gets into their truck, and the truck pulls the heavy trailer thing. They've got about a hunnerd (ahem, hundred) yards to pull the weight, and it gets heavier as they go. So the goal is to go farther, and do it faster than the next hick.
Here's a patriotic truck taking its turn. I think this truck's name was "Ram Tuff", but the more hilarious names I wrote down (because I didn't want to forget them!) were "Ain't Skeered", "Git U Sum", "Shake and Break", and "Happy Hooker". Kind of amazing.
That's not the only entertainment. There was also mullet-watching:
And don't forget the game, "How many two-tone hairstyles can you find in this photo?" If you don't know what I mean by two-tone, look at an Oreo cookie.
(Answer: Three.)
And let's not forget the deezel (diesel) category. In this fine category we got to witness jet black fumes shooting out of these trucks' hoods. They would start their engines, puff out a white cloud, then gray, then black would blast out.
Then leave a magical red-air-day type of cloud behind them the whole way.
Here's what I don't understand. Look at this truck. The driver gets in, then the body lowers down on top of them. I don't remember the name of this category. It was something like "Trucks that cost more than this fiscally-irresponsible person's trailer home". They were somewhat cool to watch, but I didn't get the practical reason. Then AJ informed me that there is no practical reason. (I referred to AJ for most of my questions, since he grew up in Idaho and I figured he'd know more about hick behavior than me. *Burn*) He said, "It's so they can get into their trucks since they don't have functioning doors". Oh my gosh, come on.
What was just too cute was there were couples doing this together. They'd have matching jumpsuits and matching paint jobs on their matching $60,000 trucks. How romantic.
To top off my confusion about this...sport...? was the time one of the trucks had a mechanical issue. It went about 30 yards and then there was a loud pop and he stopped. The guy who had the microphone took a break from making comments and jokes and announced, "can we get a tow rig down here to pull out this truck?" Then an ATV zooms in to help out the stuck truck.
So then I HAD to ask AJ, "We are at a towing event. There are 20 trucks sitting here, all equipped for towing. Why the heck are they bringing in a "tow rig" to help out that truck?!" He said, "They're just...not...made for that." Then I gave him a crinkly confused expression and he rolled his eyes.
It's cheaper to get a crappy car, paint it, then crunch it in a demolition derby. And it's more entertaining. So I just don't get what attracts these drivers to the idea of spending all the money they have on this sort of thing. But hey it was fun to watch. So if you want to come visit, I'll surely go again.
Now, I don't know the "lingo" so bear with me. Basically, there is this trailer thing with a big weight on it, and a guy sits in it and pushes buttons that makes the weight slide around and get harder to pull. Then you take a hick in a jumpsuit who gets into their truck, and the truck pulls the heavy trailer thing. They've got about a hunnerd (ahem, hundred) yards to pull the weight, and it gets heavier as they go. So the goal is to go farther, and do it faster than the next hick.
Here's a patriotic truck taking its turn. I think this truck's name was "Ram Tuff", but the more hilarious names I wrote down (because I didn't want to forget them!) were "Ain't Skeered", "Git U Sum", "Shake and Break", and "Happy Hooker". Kind of amazing.
That's not the only entertainment. There was also mullet-watching:
And don't forget the game, "How many two-tone hairstyles can you find in this photo?" If you don't know what I mean by two-tone, look at an Oreo cookie.
(Answer: Three.)And let's not forget the deezel (diesel) category. In this fine category we got to witness jet black fumes shooting out of these trucks' hoods. They would start their engines, puff out a white cloud, then gray, then black would blast out.
Then leave a magical red-air-day type of cloud behind them the whole way.
Here's what I don't understand. Look at this truck. The driver gets in, then the body lowers down on top of them. I don't remember the name of this category. It was something like "Trucks that cost more than this fiscally-irresponsible person's trailer home". They were somewhat cool to watch, but I didn't get the practical reason. Then AJ informed me that there is no practical reason. (I referred to AJ for most of my questions, since he grew up in Idaho and I figured he'd know more about hick behavior than me. *Burn*) He said, "It's so they can get into their trucks since they don't have functioning doors". Oh my gosh, come on.What was just too cute was there were couples doing this together. They'd have matching jumpsuits and matching paint jobs on their matching $60,000 trucks. How romantic.
To top off my confusion about this...sport...? was the time one of the trucks had a mechanical issue. It went about 30 yards and then there was a loud pop and he stopped. The guy who had the microphone took a break from making comments and jokes and announced, "can we get a tow rig down here to pull out this truck?" Then an ATV zooms in to help out the stuck truck.
So then I HAD to ask AJ, "We are at a towing event. There are 20 trucks sitting here, all equipped for towing. Why the heck are they bringing in a "tow rig" to help out that truck?!" He said, "They're just...not...made for that." Then I gave him a crinkly confused expression and he rolled his eyes.
It's cheaper to get a crappy car, paint it, then crunch it in a demolition derby. And it's more entertaining. So I just don't get what attracts these drivers to the idea of spending all the money they have on this sort of thing. But hey it was fun to watch. So if you want to come visit, I'll surely go again.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Video Chatting with Lucas
He's only 7 months old and already working his way around the computer. My nephew is freakin adorable.
Just ignore the crazy lady in the corner that looks like she's gonna eat him.
Okay who am I kidding, I really do want to eat him.
Just ignore the crazy lady in the corner that looks like she's gonna eat him.Okay who am I kidding, I really do want to eat him.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Good Morning, Nibley
This morning I had an awkward moment.
We have to take Griz out on his leash to "go potty" because our yard isn't fenced. It's really annoying, especially since my knees hurt right now (thanks Ragnar training) and he likes to yank me down the deck stairs and around the yard. It's also annoying because he demands to go outside as soon as AJ leaves for work each morning (Not as soon as AJ's shoes are on. As soon as AJ drives away). Well that's the same time that I'm getting out of the shower. So each morning I'm trying to dry off, get my contacts in before my face dries out completely and cracks (dang Utah), do that whole facial routine, then get dressed, and everything else. And the entire time Griz is scratching at the door while I'm yelling "Hoollld OOONNN!" (is that was having kids is like?)
So my solution to this problem is to make sure I've got moisturizer on my face at least, then throw on my comfy white robe, slip into my rubber boots by the door, and leash up the beast so he'll go potty outside and not in our basement to teach us a lesson. Sometimes I even put on underwear first. And sometimes I don't.
Usually I go out and I'm reminded of what a beautiful morning it is at our new house. Birds are chirping, the grass is glistening with dew, the cows an acre away are moooing...it's pretty nice. Then Griz thinks he's a cow too and starts eating the longs bits of grass he finds. He pees. We walk and walk. He sniffs. He poops. YES! We can go back inside now so I can get dressed and move this morning along.
Well. That's when I heard someone walking close to our yard. We have a railroad behind our house, and I recognized an elderly man, probably 50 (just kidding, Dad!), okay, in his 70s doing his morning workout. I've seen him before. He carries dumbbells and power walks down the railroad track and back. He's always got his head down like he's embarrassed about it, and I kind of just want to high-five him and tell him "good job, you're working out like every day, and you're old! Way to go." But I don't because I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to be noticed.
Well, Griz noticed him. I was trying to get Griz to walk in the opposite direction before he noticed the man, but it was too late. He shot towards the railroad like a...like a...train! Talk about whiplash! Griz was barking and growling and snarling, ... I heard the guy grumble something about my dog...then Griz lunged again, and that's when I felt my robe flap around me like a loose blanket.
Oh man.
Did that guy see me flash him? I mean, in this case, yes, I was able to get my underwear on under my robe (phew!), but still. That guy just saw a huge dog lunge at him, and then probably a blur of the most awkward white fabrics and skin flailing around after it. Seriously, I don't know what he ended up seeing. But it was embarrassing. And who knows what neighbors had seen the whole thing.
We really need to put up a fence already.
We have to take Griz out on his leash to "go potty" because our yard isn't fenced. It's really annoying, especially since my knees hurt right now (thanks Ragnar training) and he likes to yank me down the deck stairs and around the yard. It's also annoying because he demands to go outside as soon as AJ leaves for work each morning (Not as soon as AJ's shoes are on. As soon as AJ drives away). Well that's the same time that I'm getting out of the shower. So each morning I'm trying to dry off, get my contacts in before my face dries out completely and cracks (dang Utah), do that whole facial routine, then get dressed, and everything else. And the entire time Griz is scratching at the door while I'm yelling "Hoollld OOONNN!" (is that was having kids is like?)
So my solution to this problem is to make sure I've got moisturizer on my face at least, then throw on my comfy white robe, slip into my rubber boots by the door, and leash up the beast so he'll go potty outside and not in our basement to teach us a lesson. Sometimes I even put on underwear first. And sometimes I don't.
Usually I go out and I'm reminded of what a beautiful morning it is at our new house. Birds are chirping, the grass is glistening with dew, the cows an acre away are moooing...it's pretty nice. Then Griz thinks he's a cow too and starts eating the longs bits of grass he finds. He pees. We walk and walk. He sniffs. He poops. YES! We can go back inside now so I can get dressed and move this morning along.
Well. That's when I heard someone walking close to our yard. We have a railroad behind our house, and I recognized an elderly man, probably 50 (just kidding, Dad!), okay, in his 70s doing his morning workout. I've seen him before. He carries dumbbells and power walks down the railroad track and back. He's always got his head down like he's embarrassed about it, and I kind of just want to high-five him and tell him "good job, you're working out like every day, and you're old! Way to go." But I don't because I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to be noticed.
Well, Griz noticed him. I was trying to get Griz to walk in the opposite direction before he noticed the man, but it was too late. He shot towards the railroad like a...like a...train! Talk about whiplash! Griz was barking and growling and snarling, ... I heard the guy grumble something about my dog...then Griz lunged again, and that's when I felt my robe flap around me like a loose blanket.
Oh man.
Did that guy see me flash him? I mean, in this case, yes, I was able to get my underwear on under my robe (phew!), but still. That guy just saw a huge dog lunge at him, and then probably a blur of the most awkward white fabrics and skin flailing around after it. Seriously, I don't know what he ended up seeing. But it was embarrassing. And who knows what neighbors had seen the whole thing.
We really need to put up a fence already.
Monday, May 2, 2011
What the #@*! am I doing?
I'm think I'm gonna be sick.
I'm signed up to run in the Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay. It's June 17-18. It's a run from Logan to Park City split up between 12 people who run all day and night, each taking turns running 3 different legs. And these legs range from "easy" to "very hard".
This girl is probably smiling because she's running an "easy" leg at a 12 min/mile pace. Lol.
These are my legs (click on the numbers if you are willing to wait for the website to load the maps and elevation charts):
6 (6.9 "very hard" miles), 18 (8.1 "very hard" -OMG all uphill- miles) and 30 (3.1 "easy" miles).
My other legs are lumpy and mushy and weak (not to mention pasty white). I won't post a photo and I don't think you'll mind.
Yes I ran 2 half marathons, but that was 2 years ago. 2010 involved playing soccer here and there, but not a lot of running in between. I'm out of shape. I have a long way to go. Not only do I have to train to make sure I can run a distance of at least 8 miles, but I have to train uphill. And downhill. And on gravel and trails. And I have to make sure I can do a run at night and wake up the next morning and run again.
The good news is, I've already run a few times and so far 4 miles feels just fine, which means I'm not starting completely over like I did training for the first half marathon in '09. When I started training for that I hadn't run in a couple years and 2 miles hurt.
The other good news is Griz goes running with me and needs to lose a few pounds . The bad news is Griz goes running with me and lifts his leg every 5 minutes.
I'm pretty nervous, but I know if I can get into shape (in a hurry) that it will also be a lot of fun. I'm running with an all-girl team (Girls Just Wanna Run) and you ride around in vans when it's not your turn to run and you get to blast music and wear crazy clothes and cheer for your teammates.
If any of my family and friends (you) want to cheer me on, so I'm not just hearing swear words in my head, I'll meet you in the Wasatch Back in June.
Here's some photos from a past race.
I'm signed up to run in the Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay. It's June 17-18. It's a run from Logan to Park City split up between 12 people who run all day and night, each taking turns running 3 different legs. And these legs range from "easy" to "very hard".
This girl is probably smiling because she's running an "easy" leg at a 12 min/mile pace. Lol.These are my legs (click on the numbers if you are willing to wait for the website to load the maps and elevation charts):
6 (6.9 "very hard" miles), 18 (8.1 "very hard" -OMG all uphill- miles) and 30 (3.1 "easy" miles).
My other legs are lumpy and mushy and weak (not to mention pasty white). I won't post a photo and I don't think you'll mind.
Yes I ran 2 half marathons, but that was 2 years ago. 2010 involved playing soccer here and there, but not a lot of running in between. I'm out of shape. I have a long way to go. Not only do I have to train to make sure I can run a distance of at least 8 miles, but I have to train uphill. And downhill. And on gravel and trails. And I have to make sure I can do a run at night and wake up the next morning and run again.
The good news is, I've already run a few times and so far 4 miles feels just fine, which means I'm not starting completely over like I did training for the first half marathon in '09. When I started training for that I hadn't run in a couple years and 2 miles hurt.
The other good news is Griz goes running with me and needs to lose a few pounds . The bad news is Griz goes running with me and lifts his leg every 5 minutes.
I'm pretty nervous, but I know if I can get into shape (in a hurry) that it will also be a lot of fun. I'm running with an all-girl team (Girls Just Wanna Run) and you ride around in vans when it's not your turn to run and you get to blast music and wear crazy clothes and cheer for your teammates.
If any of my family and friends (you) want to cheer me on, so I'm not just hearing swear words in my head, I'll meet you in the Wasatch Back in June.
Here's some photos from a past race.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Our new backyard!
I promise, interior photos are coming soon! I don't have everything decorated yet, but it's starting to feel like home. In the meantime, here's a video I took of our backyard. I found my snowboots and went out there with Griz to give you a full 360 degrees tour. The only thing worse than hearing your own voice is hearing your own "doggy" voice. Oh well...put it on mute or something :)
Griz had an adventure. He actually climbed up the playset but couldn't (wouldn't) get down. Not that he would have grown a pair (get it? he doesn't have any!) and ran down the slide, but the slide was taken off the playset so the only way down were these scary wobbly plastic "rock" steps. He sat right there for 30 minutes before I got him to come down.
That dog cracks me up.
Oh, and this is for Ashlee: Ash (AJ's sister) came over yesterday and as she literally walked through the door, we welcomed her by having her help us hold Griz down while AJ pulled a TICK (a TICK!) out of Griz's neck. It was so gross. Who would have thought a dog could get a tick (EW!) when everything is covered in snow? I don't get it. It's been a week of firsts at our new house. Thanks for enjoying that one with us, Ash!
Griz had an adventure. He actually climbed up the playset but couldn't (wouldn't) get down. Not that he would have grown a pair (get it? he doesn't have any!) and ran down the slide, but the slide was taken off the playset so the only way down were these scary wobbly plastic "rock" steps. He sat right there for 30 minutes before I got him to come down.
That dog cracks me up.
Oh, and this is for Ashlee: Ash (AJ's sister) came over yesterday and as she literally walked through the door, we welcomed her by having her help us hold Griz down while AJ pulled a TICK (a TICK!) out of Griz's neck. It was so gross. Who would have thought a dog could get a tick (EW!) when everything is covered in snow? I don't get it. It's been a week of firsts at our new house. Thanks for enjoying that one with us, Ash!
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