Ragnar

I had a blast participating in the Ragnar race a couple weeks ago. It's a relay race that is 200 miles long with 12 runners splitting up that mileage over "3 individual legs" during the race. Thanks to my Uncle Jason I got to run with his company team (at almost no expense to me!! Thank you Jason!). Our van consisted of my Aunt Kelli (driver), Uncle Jason, Adam and Trena Pishl (friends/business partner to my Uncle), my brother Nathan and my good friend Erin.

World's greatest, most beautiful and extremely patient Ragnar Driver!!!

This year we had a better start time so things went a little more smoothly and we actually got to run with people around! The best part of this was the "kills" we acquired!! A kill is when you pass someone, you "kill" them and keep track of the number of kills you have and mark it on your van! My total kills was 29. Our team total had about 250 kills in all.

My first leg of the race was 8 miles long and mostly trail running (which I HATE!). It was a little hot but really gave me some time to think about life. I love that about running my mind just wanders. I don't really have to focus on anything other than putting one foot in front of the other. As I was on this trail run the path became a little treacherous. Tricky in the sense it was uneven ground some loose gravels, rocks and stiff hardened mud tracks. I couldn't help but think about my how in life we are all on a journey and make choices every day that effect our "route". As I ran through my course I tried to choose the path that was the safest and most direct. Made me reflect on my own life and the daily choices I make, Are they safe? Am I being smart with my time? Am I choosing the right path? Am I pleasing my Father in Heaven? Like I said my mind wanders...
I finished this leg with an 8:30/mile pace

My 2nd leg was around 3:30am only 2.9 miles and a really easy course (other than being sleep deprived) 7:09/mile pace

My 3rd leg run:was KILLER!!! Only 3.5 miles but mostly UPHILL! STRAIGHT UPHILL! I BOOKED it though, Got 13 kills alone on this one, and was able to maintain a 8:25 pace. When I sprinted into the baton swap area I was never happier to see my team mate Adam. But when he didn't take off running I knew something was wrong. He looked sympathetically at me and said "I have good news and I have Bad news..." I didn't hear him very well but basically there was some traffic issues and the van was stuck ahead of our exchange and I needed to keep running with him. Poor guy I looked at him like he was crazy and said "NO WAY! I can't!" He had this "deer in the headlights" look. He was shocked and confused and just frozen not knowing what to do. I then ordered him to start running and I'd find our van. I had to walk. I'm still laughing at the look on his face. He told me later he was shocked at my response and said "That was the first time the whole trip I didn't see you smile. I didn't know what to do."

 Such a good depiction of our "sibling-ness" I'm such a dork!

My brother was a ROCKSTAR!!! He ran sub 7:30 min/ mile pace for ALL his legs!!! Crazy fast! His total mileage was about 17 miles. This was a really fun trip because we got to take part in something we BOTH really enjoy, RUNNING, and I got to hang with my brother! Such a good kidd! I kept getting weird looks from people when I was talking to Nathan and referring to him as Kidd. They thought it was weird but that was our nickname for him growing up. It just stuck. I think my brother Allen started it because Nathan used to really like basketball and it was when Jason Kidd was really big. It's hard to explain, he's just "Kidd" I remember going to his jr. High and High school Cross country meets. Very fun to watch him run, seriously he gave it his all. Something I've never been willing to do. I DON'T run til I puke... end of story.

 Horrid picture but SOOOOO defines how you feel that last day! Tired and willing to sleep anywhere and anyway you can! Haha 

Erin, Erin, Erin... I love this girl! So glad she was able to run with me again. We have such a cool background story. We have been life long "play cousins". Our dads served missions together and our families would get together frequently for trips and vacations growing up. When she moved to the valley our friendship was immediately rekindled with our "love of running". Sounds cheesy but it's so true. She is such an amazing girl. Works crazy hours, is a super mom, very thoughtful and just my ROCK! I tell her that all the time because it's true. I really enjoy working out with her and just hanging with her. Erin sent me this picture captioned "This picture captures us both pretty right on don’t you think?" LOL

 Finish Line!