Ragnar 2010: RUN, Walk, crawl

(The whole team: back row, Alicia Tebbs, Karen Mordue, Lisa Coles, Misty Mower, Kayley Taylor, Heidi Lowe,Lisa Serio and front row, Ali Hale, Stephanie Maynard, Leann Brinton, Lauretta Sechrest, and Heather Passey)

RUN, Walk, crawl...

12 women, 188 miles, 30-something hours=tough and awesome!

(Van#2; Lisa S, Stephanie M., Lisa C, Karen M., Alicia T., and Leann B.)

Van # 1 had to start up in Logan at 6:45 a.m., while my van (#2) got to sleep in and leave Bountiful at 10:00 a.m. We drove up to Eden to meet the first half of our team as they finished up their first legs of the race.
My first leg, a steep 3.1 incline, was the one I was most worried about, especially since Alicia just finished an even longer ascent with no walking. She was my inspiration to keep running when my legs were burning!

Since I was runner 12, I was the very last to come in. As I was running the path next to the road, I could see the HUGE, long line of cars trying to turn in to where the finish line was. I was running a really good pace, (considering that I was going on 30 plus hours at this time on about 4 hours of sleep, 160 miles of driving and 14 miles of running) but when I saw the cars at a stand still on the road, I wondered to myself multiple times why I was pushing it so hard---I didn't even think my team would be at the end to run in with me. However, as I rounded the corner to the finish line, I could see the girls from my van waiting. Wow, what a moment of excitement and joy to see these cute and awesome ladies! We were jumping up and down and pumped up to run the last .10 mile into the finish line, when Alicia got word that Van #1 was still stuck in the crowd and wouldn't be there for about 15 more minutes. We just had to chill off to the side until the rest of the team made it, and THEN....

...we all crossed the finish line TOGETHER! What a great feeling to accomplish something that was so hard for all of us. I am so proud of all of these women, and so grateful that I was able to spend the time with six of them. Thanks Alicia T, Lisa S., Lisa C, Stephanie M. and Leann B.!

Multi-tasking

It is universally known and graciously accepted by all that I am NOT a multi-tasker. I can only think, hear, see, and answer one thing at a time. If I have a big project due, I plod along at an even, steady pace and I take my time. I am not comfortable with waiting until the last possible second to tackle a job. That being said, I DO love efficiency. Today, I felt empowered and emboldened when I made out a plan on how I could accomplish two tasks at the same time. It felt invigorating to be a multi-tasker! What was this great accomplishment, you ask? Changing the oil/rotating the tires on our car while logging in a GREAT 6.5 plus mile run through the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.

My plan: drop off the car at Utah Valley Tire on 4th South & 5th East and run for as long as they tell me it will take to change the oil/rotate the tires (appx. 1 hour)

I left Utah Valley Tire and headed south on 5th East until I hit Liberty Park and encircled it back to 7th East and 9th South (2 miles)
While running around Liberty Park, I discovered this little treasure on it's south east corner:

Free flowing, ice cold natural spring water! (I came back later and filled up my water bottle)

From Liberty Park, I ran north on 7th East to South Temple, cut over to State Street and up the hill to the Capital. (3 miles)

Once I made it to the Capital, I ran up the stairs and touched the front doors and then headed back down the hill along State Street and south to 4th South and then east towards Utah Valley Tire. (1.5 miles) When I reached my destination, my car was sitting back in the lot, all done and ready to go. All I had to do was walk in, sign the paper and they handed me the keys. That was so much better than waiting in their little cramped and smelly waiting room for an hour!

In all, it was a 6.5 mile run (I didn't measure the Capital stairs). Now THAT was great multi-tasking!

Whew, she did it!

(I am not sure what the woman behind Markelle is doing...) But, isn't that a SWEET diploma!

It took a lot of last minute effort on her part, but Markelle took ownership of her high school career and she did it. It has been a rough ride for her this past year, which makes this accomplishment even more sweet for her...and for us. I am so very proud of her!

Isn't she the most gorgeous creation you have ever seen? I sure do love this girl, and I wish the very best for her in life. Take charge, Markelle, you have proved many times over that you CAN do hard things. And with style!

Frollagator!

Don't you just love the end of the school year, especially when the teacher assigns an in depth project the week before school lets out and due the day before your oldest daughters wedding? Not only was I out running around trying to find enough cute frames, ribbon, floor easels and tissue pom poms for the reception, but I also had to help Ashley find a reptile and an amphibian that we could put together for her "create a new species" project in science. Thank goodness for D.I.!

I think he turned out kinda cute!