RRR

I have been busy working on my run.  Along with 11 other amazing gals, we kicked 187 miles of pavement can from Brianhead to Zion's, running the Red Rock Relay.  It was life changing craziness wrapped up into 35 hours of girl power bonding.  Truly one of the hardest yet most exhilarating things that I have ever done.

So amazing in fact, that I already signed up to do it again next year.  In addition to Zion's, I am going to run on a 6 man team in Moab in May.  I am super stoked!!!

I never saw myself as a runner.  I loathed it in fact.  But now, even though the last 6+ months have been filled with injuries galore (ITB, ACL, MCL, calf strain, foot strain), it is one of my favorite pass times.  I can totally tell a difference in how I feel if I miss a run. 

I am by no means a good runner.  I still have much to improve on.  My times are still pretty slow, but on a positive note, they are a heck of a lot faster than they were when I began training.  To go from 0 to 6 miles in 6 months is a pretty great accomplishment in my book. 

Van 2 at the first exchange

Van 2 L to R:  Shanna, Chalese, Me, Josie, Michelle, Mindi

Van 1 L to R:  Patty, Lauren, Jodi, Chelsie, Liberty, Jenny (here they are at the first van exchange, one run down)

I want to remember how I felt about the run this year, so I can see how much I improve by next year.  My first run was my shortest, 2.9 miles (at about 2 in the afternoon).  I wish that it had been longer because the temps were perfect post rainstorm downpour, and I had a lot of excitement built up. I think my average pace was about an 11 min mile (I said I was slow).

Van 2 run #1

my first run

we had a super fun group of girls

Shanna and I, rekindled friends for life.

Mindi and I.  She drug me into this whole thing-love her!

Some fun from Van #1.

Obviously we had a fun time playing off our team name "That's What She said"

Jodi was our team inspiration.  That girl rocks!  She brought me to tears a few times.  I had so many emotions when she handed off to me at the last van exchange. 

My second run was a 5.2 miler (at around 1 A.M.).  I loved it.  Night running was so not what I imagined it would be.  The temps were perfect and running with a head lamp didn't bother me at all. My average pace was around an 11.3 min mile.

My last run was 5 miles of pure torture.  It was at 10:30 A.M.  in hot St. George.   I had barely had any sleep in over 24 hrs.  I was super nauseous.  My calf and foot were killing me (I was still nursing these injuries).  The temp was already in or near the 90's.  And I had some killer hills to climb.  Up until this point I had not had to walk on any of my runs.  I was completely out of gas and felt like I might pass out 2.5 miles in.  So I had to walk, even walking was hard.  I kept trying to get little surges of runs in, but my body wasn't letting me.  I had to walk nearly half of my leg.   I was pretty bummed to say the least.  Not to mention, my pace was shut down to about a 14 min mile-yikes!!! 

It was so exhilarating cheering on our runners.  Especially when Mindi was on that last leg, and the home stretch.  I was honored to bestow her last stripe on her (that totally sounds cheesy). 

Nothing feels more amazing than knowing we made it to the finish.  Not to mention our finish time was better than we had anticipated (this was the first race for many of us).  Our time was 35 hours and 20 minutes.  We plan to kill that time next year. 

But the whole experience was great.  I learned a lot about myself.  It was so much fun being surrounded by so many runners who were excited to cheer you on.  All the teams were so supportive of each other.  And, my girlfriends are the best!!!  My relationship with each grew immensely.  What is better than that?  I made some knew friends (fast legs Lauren and speedy Patty).  And I rekindled friendship with one that I hadn't seen in years (we will be close friends for life-I love my Shannie). 
Over two weeks later and I still am smiling!!!

everyone an organ donor

My heart is full. My wonderful friend Mindi has a friend who's daughter has been waiting for a liver transplant (I hope that wasn't too confusing). Mindi had encouraged me to follow Lulu's story a few months back.

I have never met Lulu or her mommy, but somehow, I feel like I have known them forever. Her mom is a very inspirational writer about the struggles of being a mother with a sick baby. Keeping positive and always making it known that things are in God's hands. I tear up on almost every post she writes, mostly because she touches my heart and inspires me to think of things in a Heavenly perspective. But also for her wonderful endeavors in reaching out to others who are suffering. I am sure that she could rally the troops for anyone's cause.

I remember back in January, Mindi called me the day after Lulu received her transplant. I was overwhelmed with joy.

In a heartwarming story, Lulu's family was able to meet the donors family. When I read about this family's experience with organ donation, I thought my heart would explode.

When I had to stand in line at the DMV last week, and yes the stories are true about how long the wait is with the new changes, I checked my forms at least five times to make sure that I had checked 'yes' in the box to be an organ donor.
Not only should you check that little box, but you should make it known to your family. I have seen way too many families go against their dying family members wishes to donate. Because ultimately, your family is the deciding factor when those awful decisions have to be made and you aren't able to speak up.

Be a donor and save a life or two or three or more.