This last weekend I participated in the Ragnar Relay Del Sol which is a 204 mile relay race from Prescott to Mesa, Arizona. I was on a team of 12 women all over the age of 30. Many of these women were novice runners which makes our success even more amazing. I have run a handful of 1/2 marathons but this experience was completely new to me.
(Aprel, Paula, Minnie, Monika, Tiffany, Michelle, Katie
Tishia, Jenny, Me, Martha, Jen)
We had 2 suburbans each holding 6 women and all of their gear (and alot of wipies). Runners in the first van started running Friday morning at 7am and when all 6 of them had run their legs of the race our van took over and the first van was able to rest for a while. This rotation continued until each runner had run 3 legs of the race and we crossed the finish line together at 5:35 pm Saturday.
Although this was a team effort and a bonding experience for all 12 women, the experiences and trials of the women in our car took our friendships to a new level of endearment and sisterhood. Minnie, we call her the iron horse because of her unwaivering strength and determination. Tiffany was always the one to make us laugh and lighten the mood; she was also the first one to shed tears and I am thankfull she did because it made it easier for the rest of us to cry when it was our turn. Paula was the last minute addition to our car. She is Tiffany's cousin and she did amazing; she was fast and always upbeat. Tishia was our nurturer and planner; always so quick to give a word of encouragment or a compliment and without her water bottles or her reservation at the hotel none of us would have made it. Jenny was our cheerleader; she was the reason our team 'looked' like a team (t-shirts, ribbons and all). We also called her the pony because of her boundless energy.
Minnie looking good on her 1st leg
Tiffany making us laugh
Look at that stride!
Paula trying to keep cool
Tishia after that brutal hill and still smiling
Jenny excited to finish
My legs of the race:
leg #9 - started at 2:11 pm on Friday 6.7 miles (the 4 uphill were brutal)
leg #21 - started at 3:41 am Saturday 4.8 miles
leg #33 - sarted at 2:49 pm Saturday 8.0 miles
Look at that hill!
Getting Pampered - Water & Mist
Half laughing/half crying
Who can sleep at an Elementary School? Not Us!
Lessons learned (or remembered) from this race:
*Heavenly Father answers my prayers: On the Wednesday morning before the race I began experiencing servere vertigo. It progressed to the point that my body ached and my stomach was very upset. After countless prayers and a priesthood blessing I was able to wake-up Friday morning able and excited to run. This was a blessing from my Heavenly Father with very deliberate placement in my hands.
*Remember to be thankful for the Tender Mercies of the Lord: I am reminded of a saying that use to hang on my wall that said "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." Life and all of its experiences should
not be easy because it is through being tried that we grow and learn. I believe that Heavenly Father lightens our load by little tender mercies and it is our job to just recognize them. I experienced many of them this week: Tishia's insistance that
she would drive me the the urgent care, Jenny's insistance that Chloe would come to her house, every shout out from the car "you can do it!", the bald man's shout of encouragement as he passed me on the Beeline highway... just to name a few.
*I am strong!
*Always be willing to try new things and push yourself!
I wouldn't trade this experience for anything because I believe that we can learn, grow and build lasting relationships when we are willing to push beyond the limits we set for ourselves.
Thank you ladies! You are AMAZING!
