29 hours 40 minutes and 59 seconds previously, Van 1 was standing in Logan as Mike Ekstrom lead the group of 12 High School friends in the Ragnar Relay. I was runner #3 in the group and already had butterflies. Not having previously competed in this type of event I didn't know what to expect, nor did I know how well my body would react to such a thing. Little did I know the next day would be filled with emotional highs and some of the most difficult endurance tests I'd ever faced previous to this.
We had in our van; Mike Ekstrom, Andy Meikle, Ken Richey, Troy Haun, Jon Allred, and Gerald Hodgkinson. Each of us with different experience levels and training regimes, but all tied together for the next day to run, support and laugh.
My first leg (5.6 miles from Hyrum to Paradise) was surprisingly the most difficult of the three. I hadn't done any training runs in the heat of the day, and I was amazed at how much the hot sun zapped me. I projected running at 8:30 minute pace but ended up running at 8:41 pace. As I passed the wrist band over to Troy Haun I remember thinking, "dude, I'm so sorry you're going to have to take this." Glad to be done, but no time for stretching we were back in the van driving up to support Troy. That was the amazing thing, you didn't have a lot of time to warm up, and really no time to warm down or stretch. The highlight of the run however, was having my family there to support and watch me. They would shoot ahead of me, get out of the car and give me high fives as I passed. Several times they would run along side me and encourage me as I ran. Very cool and very memorable.
My second run at night went much better. It was cool and the darkness and cooler temperatures provided the environment I'm used to running in. I pegged my projected time very well and this time when I made the exchange I felt on top of the world.
My final leg turned out to be my best but was preceeded by a very difficult period for me. After just a couple of hours of sleep, it seems as if my body didn't want to wake up. I was shaking like crazy as I forced myself to eat a bagel and drink poweraide. The nausea and discomfort in my core was so severe I honestly didn't know if I'd be able to run at all. When I finally did come around it was as if switch were flipped and I immediately felt better. I couldn't believe the difference and honestly believe that there was some divine help there.
The 7.9 mile final leg was a difficult uphill climb along Jordanelle Reservoir. I projected 1 hour and 15 minutes and ended up running 1 hour and 8 minutes. Needless to say I was extremely pleased to finish strong, and also to be done with running.
After our van completed our runs, we enjoyed a pizza lunch and then decided to go watch a movie while waiting for van #2. I didn't last long in the movie before I was nodding off more due to exhaustion not so much the movie. Every time the Romulans blew something up I woke up only to drift off again later on.
The completion of the race was overshadowed by very cold temperatures and lots and lots of rain. After the team crossed the line we posed for a quick photo and then quickly dispursed to our respective homes.
Overall a great expereince that I would probably do again.
