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You know in life, there are certain moments when you realize you are doing something you only dreamed of? It's something only real runners do? You think to yourself, I could never do that? Well...... I DID!!!!:)
June 19-20 became that day of possibilities. I was a part of a team of 12 women who ran from Logan, Utah to Park City Utah. A total of 188 miles. This was a 24 hr. race: no stopping, sleeping in the car or on high school gym floors, food and water provided by your team van, lots of sweat, running in the dark, you get the picture.
I was nervous to begin, but once we started, my body did things I never thought it could! My first leg was 7.9 miles-DOWNHILL. I crossed over Avon Summit, in the most beautiful country I've ever seen. Being out in the quiet open, seeing God's creation, was breathtaking. I remember thinking to myself, I can't believe I'm here.
By the end of my first leg, I had blisters all over my feet, including in between my toes. I walked an extra half-mile to the first-aid station where they taped my feet so I could keep going.
I was extremely nervous for my second leg: 8.1 miles-UPHILL, in the DARK OF NIGHT, summiting at East Canyon reservoir. The weather had turned cold and I'm sure my nerves didn't help the shivering! Dad was at that exchange to watch me go and take pictures. I remember thinking, I really don't want to do this! So I was layered like crazy with tank top, shirt, jacket, reflective jacket, head phones with i-pod, Garman running watch, and relay bracelet.
After about 1/4 mile I was roasting! I spent the next 1.5 miles trying to take everything off while I was running in the dark. I carried all my clothes I had just shed for another 1/2 mile until my pace car caught up to me.
Funny thing was, I wasn't thirsty or tired, but HUNGRY! Are you kidding me, I thought? Here it is 10:45 at night, I'm running up a long windy road and all I want to do is eat something? Finally when my car got to me, I asked for a granola bar, but could only take two bites before I thought I was going to puke!
Then, it was just me and the open road. Of all the things I've experienced in my life, this rates at the top. What I was most afraid of, turned out to be an amazing memory. Running in the middle of the night with just the stars to guide you is almost a spiritual experience. When I found myself alone, I would turn my i-pod off and listen to the sounds of nature and my breathing. Music was an interruption. I could see ahead of me the red blinking lights of the other runners, making it way up this hill. Every now and then, a runner would pass me, and encourage me to keep going. "You're doing great, keep it up" they would say. Not knowing I felt honored to be out there with them. One of them in a sea of darkness with only the red blinking lights ahead.
Then came the hill of all hills! I thought, I don't know if I can finish this! This is crazy! But by then all the pace cars were backed up and now along the route. As I passed each car, other runners in those cars would offer encouragement.
At last, I was at the top.......Rounding the dark corner to what seemed like the noon day sun! Flood lights, hundreds of people, and the EXCHANGE!!!!!! It brought tears to my eyes-even now as I remember it months later. I did it!!! There was my dad at midnight, camera in hand, waiting to congratulate me and photograph it. I felt amazing. The rush was incredible!
I could barley catch my breath before we were in the car driving to our next pit stop- South Summit High School, where I would get a few hours of sleep, a shower, and more mole skin for my feet.
My last leg was 3.2 miles through Heber. I always thought that would be my easiest leg, far from it. I struggled through that more than the other two. But to my surprise, as I was running a car pulled up next to me and in it was Lisa and Raegan! I almost cried! I needed that so bad-to have someone I knew there to support me! A few block later, an even bigger surprise- Robert, April, and Katelynn pulled up along side me!!! They had no idea how much I needed that. I was spent and at my limit. They truly are the reason I pushed on and made it to the finish.
I was the last runner for my van-now it was up to van 2 to take us to the finish line. We went ahead to wait for our 12th runner to come in. As we waited in Park City, the skies closed up and dumped torrential rain! It was cold, windy, and raining. Nothing like running in wind and black skies! By the time our 12th runner got to the finish line, we were all limping, but made a mad-dash as a team across that finish line!
It was great to have so much support from my family. Mom and dad flew up from Las Vegas to work as volunteers, Lisa worked as a volunteer at the starting line, Aunt Kathy was there helping, Barry drove down from Boise with all five kids to be there......So Blessed am I.
