Last February, my friend Jess, who became my running buddy asked if I was interested in running in the Red Rock Relay. I did a little research and said yeah, why not! The Red Rock Relay is a running relay consisting of 12 members per team (2 vans of 6 runners), 2 days straight, 186 miles from Brian Head Resort to Zion's National Park and a bazillion port-o-potties! Sounds like a blast to me! Little did I know it would be one of the hardest, yet most rewarding experiences of my life thus far! I ended up being the captain and Jess, co-captain of the team and as of 6 days before the race, we still had 3 spots to fill on our team. By some miracle, everything came together and on Thursday, September 9th, I headed to Brian Head with my friend Jenny and her parents (thanks Dick & Carol for chauffering us and dropping us off, you're the best)! I only knew 2 of my 12 team members up to this point. There was a pasta party in Cedar City that night where my team met-up...most of us for the first time ever! It was incredible how quickly we became great friends. Maybe it was because we knew that for the next 2 days, they were our support system...our families weren't there to lean on. Everything started for us, The Warrior's Kickin' Assphalt, (that was our official team name) Friday morning at 9:30 am. Our first runner began our journey from Snow to Sun...Mark's first leg consisted of a 20 minute ride up the ski lift at Brian Head and running all the way back down. It was freezing with snow in the tops of the mountains, hence the snow part, but he was a trooper and got us off to a great start! The 6 of us in my car got along so well. We instantly found out more about each other's "runner's diarrhea" than we ever wanted to know, which was so cool (not the diarrhea part), but the fact that we bonded and cheered and routed each other on like we had known each other for years! I couldn't have asked for better team members and I couldn't have done it without them. My first leg was around 5 miles and started around noon on Friday. My second leg was just under 5 miles and began at 10:30 pm Friday night. Running in the dark, on little side streets with no street lamps was a bit freaky. We ran with head-lamps and reflective vests and didn't dare look off the road for fear of seeing 2 beady little eyes starring back at us. Coyotes could be heard howling and I just kept praying I didn't get pounced on! My third leg began at 5:30 am on Saturday morning. It was 4 miles and I think knowing it was my last leg and I needed a good time to help our team drove me and pushed me to finish strong.
Running the Red Rock was an experience that I won't ever forget. It was harder physically, mentally and emotionally than I was prepared for, but as we crossed the finish line as a team of 12, it was so worth it. Having only run a few 5k's in my short running career to taking on a challenging 186 mile relay was a very rewarding accomplishment that forced me to hold my head a little higher. It pushed me out of my running comfort zone into an area that was unknown and unfamiliar, but I liked it, learned from it and came out on top. My team finished the relay around 5:00 pm on Saturday evening. The last few runners got hit hard with the heat and long, hard legs. I felt really bad for them, but they did so well considering all! Clair and Noah drove down and met me in Washington City, (at least I think that's where it was) on Saturday morning. We hung out with my 5 team members until our other van ran their legs and we were able to cross the finish line together just outside Zion's Park. I was so happy to see them and having a reward like that at the end of the relay made the victory for me even sweeter! I'm so glad I ran the Red Rock Relay and hope that next time Clair will be running it with me!
My van buddies who put up with me for 32 hours in the car
Shawna, Jenny, Me, Nate, Jaymee and Mark
This pic was taken at 9:00 am on Friday morning...that's why we are looking so excited! We had no idea what we were in for!
I had just finished my last leg of the relay somewhere around 6:00 am Saturday morning and was so thrilled to sit back and cheer everyone else on! Talk about jell-o legs!
Every runner is required to run 3 legs in the relay. After each leg finished, you get a stripe. I was pretty proud of my stripes and they wouldn't wash off for a week!
Just outside Snow Canyon around 6:00 am. I only slept 3 hours that night so i'm looking a bit tired and haggared!
The Warrior's Kickin' Assphalt
me, Jaymee, Shawna, Alesi, McKel, Sake, Mark, Nate
Jenny, Karen, Jess & Ali
You guys are amazing! I'm so proud of you! Thanks for making my Red Rock experience incredible and for pushing me and being my support system while down there!
I'm honored to call you all my good friend's.
