The Ship's Yard: RACE MANIA

Back in the fall I decided that I needed to pick an exercise routine that would happen even during the coldest and wettest months of the year. This year wouldn't have been so bad without my goal, since it was relatively dry, but none the less, I signed up for a winter race course, in February I ran my first race, starting with a 5k, every 2-3 weeks after that I ran a 10k, 10 miles, and a half marathon. I really enjoyed the challenges and pushed myself to do better with each race. The longer the miles the less I was jumping for joy, but I finished each race, mostly strong and still on my feet.

I am not a beautiful runner, I turn red and blothy and wheezy, but I don't plan on becoming a fitness model either. These two lovely pictures are the only ones I remembered to take after each of those races.

I had also signed up a team for Ragnar Zion Trail, a trail relay with 8 members on the team each running 3 legs. I had a team last year, and it snowed and we felt a little jypted (sp) for not getting to do the whole thing, and having sunshine and the desire to party with each team member as they ran. So we did it again, two of my brothers, a sister in law and a friend came back for second helpings of fun, we invited a few more family members to join us and we planned a great year.... It rained, it hailed, it rained more, it never stopped, a few of us got cold to the bone, we stayed in the tent when not running as to stay drier and warmer. We finished the race, which few others did and we stuck out the whole experience to the end, but our hearts are a little soggy and we might take a lot of persuading to sign up again, hoping for a "good" year.

Did I mention the mud?!?!?!?!?

But everyone deserves a medal! The blue one is my medal for the 1/2 marathon, the other two are Ragnar, the snowflake for surviving last year and coming back, the awesome tool medal for running this year.