No one sleeps in VEGAS

Especially when you are running a relay.  I have mixed feelings about this post for a couple reasons, one... this was not my favorite race in the world - the organization was awful, and two... a runner on another team was hit and killed by a drunk driver making part of me feel guilty for talking about the fun times knowing there are a lot of family and friends dealing with a huge loss.  I can speak for my entire team when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with them right now.  When we heard the news about half way through the race our minds could think of nothing else, it hit close to home for each of us.

When we finished the Wasatch Back Relay in June the great folks at Ragnar announced a new Las Vegas Relay and offered each of the finishing Wasatch Back teams free rooms at Red Rock to run the Las Vegas Relay.  Sure, why not?  We said and signed up.  Only 6 of our Wasatch Back team could make the trip to Vegas so instead of trying to talk 6 more crazy people into running we let Ragnar assign us another set of 6.  They were a hoot!

Our van was given (actually chose) the harder set of legs.  Our first van would run about 24 miles and then we would run about 43 - um, how is that for even?  Needless to say it was a lot of HOT (I mean 90 degree) Vegas running.   Here we are at the beginning before we head to meet our team for our first legs.  We were ready in true "Vegas" style!

  As we drove into The Valley of Fire, which is where our legs began, we suddenly had a Park Ranger right behind us with his lights on.  We were pulled over for having writing on our windshield!  I would like to add that in every relay we have written on the windshield and although it probably shouldn't have been there he could have been a lot more courteous and just asked us to remove it.  Instead he ran all of our information and when we asked if the runners could get out because we were about to be handed off to he said, "Listen I don't want a circus out here".  Um.... look around you sir, there are about a billion runners with writing all over their cars.  Needless to say we didn't get a ticket and we watched about 10 other vans of runners be pulled over.  Busy day for the Park Ranger!

Ready for my first 9 mile leg!   This leg would later be known as "The leg that ruined running for me".  Just kidding... but it was SO hot and I wasn't even sweating - in fact I was getting chills about half way through... just a little dehydration. 

Once that bugger was over then the real party could start (at least for a couple hours until I ran again)!  Traci and I were strinking poses while Jennie ran...

Jennie and Jolynn resting in the back of the truck after their first legs.

Practicing our punk jumps!

Traci and Chris' first legs... The darkness begins.  We have never had first legs in the dark before.  That was a new experience, but at least it had cooled off a little.

Here I am waiting for Jolynn to pass off to me for my second.  It is about midnight and she is lost (we didn't know that though) the course wasn't marked all that well and she ended up running through some sage brush to get back on track.  When my leg starts I will have a similar experience and also get lost in Vegas, in the dark.  Scary.

Chris catching some Z's before his second run.

And it's day again!!  Poor tired runners...  On Jolynn's third and last leg she was directed the wrong way and ran about 3 miles off course.  We were waiting for her to hand off to me and we couldn't find her.  We were so worried!  But she figured it out, turned around and made it to the exchange, safe and tired!

Finally at the finish!  Here is our team sans Chris.  We were waiting for him to come in so we could all cross the finish together.

After the race Bryce and I went to the BYU vs. UNLV game with Lynn, Brandon, Caden and Brad.  I was SO tired.  I feel asleep a couple times watching the game, which they all found very humerous. But BYU killed them so I didn't miss much with my eyes closed.

Will I do Ragnar Las Vegas again?  I don't really know the answer to that. I love a good workout, but I am not sold on that race. I sure am glad I have my team though -  they make every race a good time!

A Guide to Utah Driving

One must know that driving in Utah is an unique experience.  Not everyone is prepared for such an adventure.  Heck, I lived 25 of my years here and I am still not prepared for what I encounter when I come back!  To ease your stress level while behind the wheel, I provide to you... A guide to Utah driving:

• You must first know that there will be dips, holes and uneven roads everywhere.  This must be because everyone is driving like it's a racecar game and you can't have a racecar game without obstacles to avoid.
• As per number one, the second you hit Utah you become a racecar driver.  Typical road rules no longer apply - Speed Limit? People are still wondering what that sign is for.  The truth is only 75% of people here are playing the racecar game.  20% of people are driving WAY to slow in the fast lane - forcing the race car drivers to pass them on the right, and 5% of people actually know the real driving rules.  (If you are reading this and you live in Utah, I hope the 5% is you).
• When driving on the freeway you must know, although the law states to leave a car lenght between your car and the car you are following, in Utah that is an invitation to jump in front.  Leave space at your own risk.
• Running on busy roads is downright terrifying.  Just don't.
• "Shooting the gap" - I learned this term growing up, this is maneuvered by getting very close to the person in front of you, darting out in front of the person to the side of you, quickly passing the person who was originally in front of you and then cutting them off to get one car length ahead.  This happens often, and should not be attempted by the weak of heart - watch out.

You know I love it here, and if we’re honest I used to drive just like this. But now, I don’t understand what brings on this crazed driving.

Hello Utah.