For the last 8 months, I, along with a group of women from my ward, have been training for the Wasatch Back relay race in June. It has been a journey to say the least. I (not being a runner) committed to running a total of 14+ miles--only a part of the 189 miles from Logan to Park City. The team consists of 12 runners, each running 3 legs total. It is a relay race with 6 runners in one "van" running their first legs and exchanging with the second "van" consisting of the next 6 runners. We continue exchanging day, night, day until we finally arrive at the finish line! Beginning at 6:45 am on a Friday morning, the 12 of us began what we set out to do...finish. And for me, it was something hard. It was not only hard, but it turned out to be much more. Adding to my list of my life's greatest accomplishments so far: marrying my sweetheart, giving birth to our 5 amazing children, and serving a mission, accomplishing this goal is right up there!
Being the only time during the following two days that our entire team would be together, we rented a house in Logan the night before. It was full of fun, visiting, decorating our "vans" and a high carb dinner, of course! We were posing just for you, Edie!
We were so lucky to have our fearless leader/driver/queen who "blazed the trail" before us running the ragnar the year before. Thanks Marri!
Just a glimpse of the beautiful scenery surrounding us during our run.
I survived my first run (7.2 miles uphill, gravel road the whole way), but fortunately ended with this beautiful meadow full of wildflowers. You think that I am posing for this picture--however, I literally just ran in and am holding on to the fence for stability! But, seriously, what a complete rush!
Just a few of my pals--they did such an awesome job!
A few of us at our first van exchange--unfortunately this is the only time during the race that we see our fellow teammates in van 2.
An action shot of me finishing my last leg into Heber Valley! It was only 2.5 miles, but probably the hardest, being as I was running on fumes--hardly any sleep (you can only get so much rest on wrestling mats in a high school gym with hundreds of other people constantly getting up and down to meet their runners) and eating only snack type foods for the last 24 hours.
Just had to take a picture of the ol' Honey Buckets! We tried to use them as little as possible, but thankful they were available throughout the entire race.
All 16 of us were there at the end to cross the finish line together.
We did it! Did I enjoy it? Yes. Would I do it again? Maybe in a few years!
Because it was much more than just a run, it was an experience!
9 comments:
What a great post Kaley! It was an awesome experience...and the best part was sharing it with such wonderful women!
You are amazing! I have a few friends that have run, and are trying to talk me into running...but I think that I'll save it for another year. I want to have some training time. But, wow I can't imagine how beautiful it must have been. What an amazing story your team has! What a bunch of fighters! Very inspiring.
I loved your Canada pic, that looked awesome too. You are all looking adorable as ever:) xoxo
Kaley-yay for you! You look great-I keep running to try and lose weight, but it is not happening. Also-my neighbor just ran in Rangar with her fam. SOunds awesome. I am proud of you
Kaley-yay for you! You look great-I keep running to try and lose weight, but it is not happening. Also-my neighbor just ran in Rangar with her fam. SOunds awesome. I am proud of you
Wow, how awesome Kaley! I'm very impressed! I love to run but have gotten out of the habit and need to start up again. There is no way I could ever run as far as you do though, whew! Congratulations! Oh and you look AWESOME!
I am SO impressed! I can barely run a mile...two miles is like a miracle for me. Good for you! I'm sure it was such a great experience. Miss you guys!
Ooooops! You are probably wondering who the heck "scot" is! Sorry! It's really Shawni. I was helping my friend with her blog under her husbands name so that's where the "scot" came from.
...hope that didn't freak you out!
I am impressed!! You all look great in your pink crowns. What an amazing story about your group. It's neat you all kept going and finished. What a wonderful tribute to those who couldn't be there. Congrats!!
Post a Comment