Sometime around June of 2010 Chris' sister Tiffiny mentioned us all running Ragnar together. Somehow, (maybe she slipped something in the punch), she got us all to agree! So we all signed up to run. At the time I was pregnant with Liam and knew that I would have a six month old baby. And with exercise restrictions I knew I would not have that long to train. But I decided to do it anyway. But I had no idea how difficult of a baby Liam would be. Not because he is a bad baby or anything, but because the poor little guy had so many issues with colic, and protein intolerance.
So long story short, I didn't train. Like at all. I think I ran one mile like four or five times over a two month period. I was a little nervous to run it to say the least. Not to mention I fell down the stairs a month or so prior to when I was supposed to run and though I had broken my tailbone. So I decided to drop out and find a replacement. My tailbone was so painful for weeks! But after about three weeks it had improved a lot and we needed another runner that day or pay a fee and make everyone pick up some more mileage. So I stepped back in and took a much harder leg than my previous leg. It went from about thirteen miles to eighteen miles! So then I was even more stressed. And to leave Liam was one of the worst stresses of all. I had never left him and he still struggled a bit, and I was still nursing. I think the only thing that gave me comfort enough to do it was knowing that the kids were with my wonderful and capable family.
The night before we headed up to Tiffiny's house to sleep so we could all just carpool up to Logan where the Relay started. We had to head out at 1:30am to get there in time for our early start time. (We think they started us as early as possible due to the fact that our team had the slowest predicted race time, haha). It was so FREEZING!
Here I am before my first run.
And then stretching after the run. I ran the entire 5.6 mile leg! That is by far the furthest I have ever run. Below is some of the country we ran through. I think it was some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen! It made running a little easier with a view like that.
Here is Chris during and after his first run which was6.9miles on dirt road for much of it and then on pavement. And by the time he was rinning it was so hot outside! And later he would run 8.1 miles on a VERY VERY hard course (uphill for much of it), and then 3.1 miles to finish it off. I would venture to say that he had the hardest leg. But he is one that loves a challenge!
Tiff in the zone!She ran one of the longest distances of everyone.
This was me running my last leg. I wasn't sure I was going to ba able to do it because after my first run my hips started to bother me, and then they really started to become painful. I ended up not finishing my whole second leg because the pain was so bad. I was so mad and disappointed. I know I looked like a crazy person limping/jogging, and all the while crying. But I didn't want to give up. Finally our car drove by and saw how much I was struggling so Tiff did the rest of my second leg. Luckily we had Jeff (my brother in law) in the other van, he is a physical therapist. So Natalie(Chris' sister) did ultrasound on my hips to break up inflamation. And then a tens unit. I kept it on all night and while I ran the last leg. I think that made all the difference. 
Chris Dyches and Damien running like mad men!
Chris handing the baton to Natalie after his last run!
Can you tell Chris was tired? We were all wiped out. We almost gave up and skipped the final run through the big orange loop of glory!
But we did it! I was proud that we ran. We did our best, and although we had some difficult moments we had a good time. AND...we are sighned up for next year. I think we may be insane. This time I am giong to try to actually train. I think that might help a little. But this time we both went for legs that might be a little bit easier. :)
So long story short, I didn't train. Like at all. I think I ran one mile like four or five times over a two month period. I was a little nervous to run it to say the least. Not to mention I fell down the stairs a month or so prior to when I was supposed to run and though I had broken my tailbone. So I decided to drop out and find a replacement. My tailbone was so painful for weeks! But after about three weeks it had improved a lot and we needed another runner that day or pay a fee and make everyone pick up some more mileage. So I stepped back in and took a much harder leg than my previous leg. It went from about thirteen miles to eighteen miles! So then I was even more stressed. And to leave Liam was one of the worst stresses of all. I had never left him and he still struggled a bit, and I was still nursing. I think the only thing that gave me comfort enough to do it was knowing that the kids were with my wonderful and capable family.
The night before we headed up to Tiffiny's house to sleep so we could all just carpool up to Logan where the Relay started. We had to head out at 1:30am to get there in time for our early start time. (We think they started us as early as possible due to the fact that our team had the slowest predicted race time, haha). It was so FREEZING!
Here I am before my first run.And then stretching after the run. I ran the entire 5.6 mile leg! That is by far the furthest I have ever run. Below is some of the country we ran through. I think it was some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen! It made running a little easier with a view like that.Here is Chris during and after his first run which was6.9miles on dirt road for much of it and then on pavement. And by the time he was rinning it was so hot outside! And later he would run 8.1 miles on a VERY VERY hard course (uphill for much of it), and then 3.1 miles to finish it off. I would venture to say that he had the hardest leg. But he is one that loves a challenge!Tiff in the zone!She ran one of the longest distances of everyone.This was me running my last leg. I wasn't sure I was going to ba able to do it because after my first run my hips started to bother me, and then they really started to become painful. I ended up not finishing my whole second leg because the pain was so bad. I was so mad and disappointed. I know I looked like a crazy person limping/jogging, and all the while crying. But I didn't want to give up. Finally our car drove by and saw how much I was struggling so Tiff did the rest of my second leg. Luckily we had Jeff (my brother in law) in the other van, he is a physical therapist. So Natalie(Chris' sister) did ultrasound on my hips to break up inflamation. And then a tens unit. I kept it on all night and while I ran the last leg. I think that made all the difference. Chris Dyches and Damien running like mad men!Chris handing the baton to Natalie after his last run!But we did it! I was proud that we ran. We did our best, and although we had some difficult moments we had a good time. AND...we are sighned up for next year. I think we may be insane. This time I am giong to try to actually train. I think that might help a little. But this time we both went for legs that might be a little bit easier. :)
2 comments:
Way to go on trying to finish. I give you props for even wanting to do it at all. Great pictures, especially the one with Chris looking so tired. Haha I bet you all were.
Congrats on your runs!
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