Monday, September 13, 2010

RRR (Red Rock Relay OR Really Radical Race)

This has been my favorite relay race so far! (Granted, it's only my second one but it was so fun and gorgeous!!!) This picture pretty much sums up the personalities of "Snow" Van #1: Dan - not going to run AT ALL, just do his 12 min. walking pace (which is a quick pace) and don't you dare "woot woot" me through the windows of the van; Heidi - even keel, no whining or complaining, give me the legs you don't want, I can handle it; Alicia - excited to be here, with or without a spouse, gonna shoot for 8-1/2 to 9-1/2 min. miles this time, where's the food?; Ryan - not sure how Misty drug me into this but I "think" I'm having fun and I "think" I trained for this race; Misty - willing to run even with pain, not sure about getting on that ski lift in 30-degree temp. to run down on a dirt trail, master photographer...

Misty heading up the ski lift to run the 3.1 miles down on a dirt trail. Unfortunately she got lost (not well-marked up there) and she added an additional .75 miles to her first leg! Plus, the altitude seemed to affect all of us as well...

The first exchange.

Dan walking his first leg of 4.2 miles up by Cedar Breaks--gorgeous! The great thing about Dan was he took all the yucky uphill legs since he's a great hiker. His legs were called "El Diablo," "Dirty Devil," and "Black Dog," so we nicknamed him "Devil Dog Dan."

My first leg was 7 miles and a lot of it was downhill--woot woot!

So happy to have finished my first leg in an hour.


The "situation": John found his meniscus was torn TWO DAYS before the race and we scrambled to find a replacement. Hillary was willing/able to come, but not until her classes were over on Friday so Dan and I split John's first leg of 4 miles. Dan walked UP the first 1.5 miles and I ran down the last 2.5. I would've enjoyed it more if his leg wouldn't have been immediately after mine...

The Replacement: John picked up Hillary in Provo and got her to Cedar City for the van exchange and she was ready to run. We started our 2nd leg from SUU at 7:15 pm and I ran the last 5.5 miles into Newcastle about 1:00 am. We drove to Veyo for the next van exchange and tried to get a couple of hours of sleep (I slept in the car from 2:00-4:30 am) before we were off and running our 3rd leg around 5:30 am.

Our 3rd leg was from Veyo to Washington and again, just beautiful, gorgeous country! (As I looked closely at this photo I noticed my pigtails are sticking straight out from my dried sweat--gross, I know...)

Hillary was excited to begin her last 5-mile leg. It was actually a good thing she came because her comment when she was done was "There is NO way dad could've done this..." I think he probably would've walked a lot, but he could've done it.

Heidi got to run down Snow Canyon right at sunrise. Can't ask for a more amazing run than that. She handed off to Hillary...

... and Hillary ran fast--much faster than John.

Hillary handing off to Ryan...

"Snow" Van #1: Alicia, Hillary, Misty, Ryan, Dan, Heidi

"Sun" Van #2: Laura, Steve, Mike, Kristen, Scott, Lauretta

Running across the finish line at Zion with the whole team... (notice my shoes--my toes were bruised and had a few blisters--good thing it was only 100 feet more)

The landscape almost looks like a painted backdrop. The scenery is what definitely made the race for me...

The end of the race for team "Run, Walk, Crawl" (which we definitely achieved in every aspect). New accomplishment for me--21 miles in 2 days. Farewell decorated van... until we meet again in 6 months or so!

8 comments:

Mrs. O said...

I know three different people who did this race - I am amazed and impressed by all of you. I almost miss living down there.

I can't believe how smiley you are with 21 miles under your belt. I think it would kill me.

Heather said...

You did it! (And then some!!) Yeah! I've been anxiously awaiting the details of your race! Sounds like it went perfectly! Poor John. He "missed out" but maybe there will be another opportunity for him down the road...I'm sure he was about as sad as Kelly would have been to miss it!

P.S. I'd love to help with the V-day dance. Count me in!!!

Karen said...

Love, love, LOVE it! Next year, Steve and I want to do this with you guys.

The Huntsville Dunns said...

Holy Cow Alicia.....you are amazing!!! I'm sorry about Johns Knee problem, I hope he is okay! You look so good in your pictures.....And Hillary too! Of course :)

Davenport Family said...

Congrats on the relay! That race looked amazing...we are considering signing up next year. I was following Ryan down the Veyo/Snow Canyon road as he was training for the marathon that day....I saw tons of cars following runners. I wonder if I saw you? Your pictures look great! Congrats to you, Hillary, and your team on the race!

Shauna said...
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Shauna said...

How are your feet doing?!!? What you should do is go and get an hour long reflexology appointment! You'll be in HEAVEN!!! That first photo of Dan Lowe says it all!!!!! He doesn't look too thrilled! Congratulations!!!!

Tralar said...

My brother did this and Caleb went down to direct runners. Looks like the happening place to be this time of year. I'm highly impressed you still love to run. I do too but only on my treadmill.