Lake to Lake

WE did it! A friend, Christy Miller, told me about this relay from Gunlock to Sand Hollow called the Lake to Lake. It sounded like fun so I talked to some women from my ward and we got our team -With a Cherry on Top -thanks for the name Ali. Mel Putnam made our cool shirts -I Scream 4 Ice Cream (more fun designs on electricitee.com). We picked the legs we were willing to run and started training.

Here's our group before the race began. Alisha Dunlavy, Camille Tueller, Rylee Hadlock, Kristine Lynn, and me.

Alisha, mother of 2, 3 year old Leila and 4 month old baby Greydon, and a strong runner to start us off! She also tied 2 blankets -Disneyland here come the Dunlavys!

Next up, Kristine, mother of 3, 6 yr old Curtis, 3 yr old Alessia, and 7 mo. Micah. She hadn't been running much before 2 weeks ago but was a good sport and joined the team thinking I said it would be a 5k -not two 5 mile runs. She was also a terrific photographer -these pics all came from her camera.

Here I am, on my way. I got to run through my old neighborhood in Santa Clara -I loved it!

But it was hot and I got so thirsty. I prayed really hard that my team would be waiting around the corner with a drink. (notice the beautiful scenery)

And they were!

Camille was next. Super mom. She has a married son, one on a mission in Chile, Dallas is 16, Anne is 14, Paul is 9, and Kate is 5. She was a track star in high school and college and ran in the Wasatch Back -Ragnar last year. She left a note on my car during stake conference and wrote-Bro and Sis Ragnar (I have a Ragnar bumper sticker) then asked if she could be a part of our Ragnar team or knew people doing it. She didn't realize what she was starting. We had just found out that 2 people had pulled out -lucky for us she decided to do it.

The touch off. Rylee was our final runner. She has a 3 yr old Rider and 1 yr old Peyton -you'll see them later on -adorable. She's a great runner determined and willing to do whatever, including the final leg which none of us frankly wanted.

It got hot!

Go get 'em Camille!

She did so great. I couldn't believe the course she ran, I had to give her a hug -little did I know what I was in for.

This is me sooooo happy to be so close to done. This was the hardest run ever for me. It was rated a 10 for difficulty -I wonder if they knew it was going to be blowing -hard for all of it and head on, it was relentless. I was running on a rutty dirt road that seemed like it went on forever -but only 3 1/2 miles, and it was up up then down and up up and down or so it seemed. I was so happy to see the pavement which I was blessed to run on for a mile -much better. The scenery was awesome. I can't wait to take Dave out there. It was up Washington Dam Road.

I had to wipe the dirt off my teeth.

This is after I had wiped, and I had dirt caked on my cheeks and around my glasses that saved me.
I loved the total high I felt when I had done it -I had finished my part and done my best! When I was running, I also loved coming from behind, spotting someone just up ahead and determinedly passing them -it made me feel so giddy. (I probably shouldn't admit that)

Yea! There she was. Almost done -finally.

This is beautiful Sand Hollow, the finish line.

Rylee's fan club. Reece, her husband, got to entertain the kids, Rider and Peyton, the whole day -without a home to go to -such a good sport.

Dave's always a great supporter too -thanks so much! He had the kids -I left him carless (because I was the driver) at his parents house and they hung out with the Salter cousins for the day.

We loved these guys. This was actually 2 teams, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and they ran the whole race together. I think they were an all men team, and they were always behind us, another reason we really liked them (we ended up in 11th place -from the end :0).

There they go -almost done.

Some other cool teams: Just Another Manic RunDay, Sole Sisters, and Hans Solo -he ran the whole race solo -all 50 grueling miles -he came in just behind us.

I loved hanging with these ladies -they were great.

We did it! It was so exhilarating when we finished our last legs -50 miles you'd think we were the "Indiana Janes" so adventurous and amazing. My dad asked me why I kept doing these races, if I had to to keep me running. For me, it's just something to keep running interesting and challenging -and to get out of the house. ;0)

Bring on the next race!

weekend fun

We had a super time in St. George a few weeks ago. Dave had a business trip in Denver that we weren't invited to Fri-Sunday and the kids were out of school Friday. So we dropped Dave off at the airport at 6:30 am and headed for St. George. We kicked back and took it easy for a while at Mom and Dad's then headed to Nate and Heather's for a fun BBQ. They live in Toquerville, which we decided would be a super place to live. They have this huge backyard that's to die for. The kids played hard until the scrumptious dinner was ready. Nate had marinated beef sirloin and Dad prepared chicken. They were so delish -cooked just right -tender and juicy. Mom brought yummy fruit, and Nate barbequed asparagus. We had rolls and chips and carrot cake for desert. I wish I had my camera. Magnus was adorable. He's mister gung ho. I love his run. Asa's pretty gung ho too and so cool. Spencer, Ali and Sam had a great time hanging out, playing hard, and having fun. Nate and Heather were and always are great hosts. Thanks so much!

Saturday, Sam, Grandma and Grandpa Wells and I went the Princess and the Frog that wasn't Spencer and Ali's idea of fun, they were anxious to hang out with their Santa Clara friends. We met them over at Laser Mania. They had a blast -of course! I think they ended up being there for about 4 hours.

Madison and Ali -feeling a little trapped at Laser mania.

Spencer, Davis and Chase

We thought we'd head home when we dropped them off, but it started raining and we ended up staying and playing Settlers of Catan with Grandma and Grandpa Wells. I really enjoyed visiting with Mom and Dad. It was such a great weekend.