Ragnar

Paul participated in the (Wasatch Back) Ragnar Relay Race on Friday and Saturday. He ran with mostly members of Melissa's family and extended family, but it was especially fun for him to get to do it with both his brothers. The race is 192 miles total, from Logan to Park city, completed over two days (including night time!) Divided into 36 legs, done by a team of 12 (everyone runs 3 legs). the team is divided into two vans and take turns where all 6 runners run and then they get a break while the other van goes. Typically it's about 5 hours on, 5 off. But that all depends on how fast people run! Their team name was the "Killer Bees".
Leg #1 for Paul: 6.9 miles, uphill for 1.5 miles, steep downhill for the rest. Most of it on a gravel road. He ran this in the morning so i wasn't there but his average mile time was 7:40! (definitely some brotherly competition starting already) Then they got a short break while the other van ran their legs.

Leg #2: Jenna, Caitlin and I were happy to join them around Ogden for their second turns to run. It was so fun to follow their van in the car as a "support vehicle" and cheer on our runners! We stopped at exchange points to see "the passing of the baton" and of course took pictures all along the way. This leg for Paul was his hardest --8.1 miles, all uphill, and some of it was very steep. Everyone had to wear their reflective gear and headlamps because it was dark by the time they finished. Of course Paul was such a beast and did awesome all the way through. It was fun to be able to see him run the whole way and cheer him on. After that we were able to go back to Melisa's family's Midway house and get some sleep! What a blessing to have a nice warm house and an air mattress to sleep on instead of sleeping bags out in the cold like a lot of participants. And the chocolate shake from Dairy Keen didn't hurt either. The runners got about 4 hours in, I slept a little longer then met up with them as they completed their last legs.



Leg #3: Was his easiest-- 3.1 miles on pretty flat lands. I am amazed that they were able to do so well after already have run so much and sat in the car so long and being so sore. After they finished their 3rd turns the other van finished theirs (so they were able to go back to the house for a little nap) then we all met up to cross the finish line as an entire team.
 






What an adventure! I'm sure we have a few days of recovery ahead of us but well worth it! One of my favorite parts as a spectator was looking at all the vans. You can pretty much write any appropriate, inappropriate or funny thing you want on your van saying your team name and/or slogan and there were some hilarious and creative ones. I also liked watching for people in costumes. It was so fun to see everyone encouraging each other and pushing so hard and doing so well.