A Final Ragnar Post

Okay, I am sure that many of you are sick of my Ragnar posts; however, it really was the most amazing experience. Truly something I won't forget. Here are a few final pics.

This was our home away from home for the adventure

Special thanks to the Farr family for loaning us their land yacht.

Matt and I putting on our Breathe Right strips...took Matt a couple of tries but eventually he figured out that you take the paper off and use the sticky part!
Back Row Day 2, be glad that pictures don't capture smells.Running with my glove like vest, headlamp & Sunglasses. STYLIN!Running with my hand out ready for water.
One leg down, 2 to go!

My Wasatch Back Legs

I've had a few people ask me about my specific legs of the race from Friday and Saturday. So, along with a few pictures from the event, here is a breakdown of my runs. I was going to wait until I had all the pictures together, but got too anxious today at lunch...so the only pictures are from the last day of the race.

Our team name was All Night Long and one theme song of ours was Rascal Flat's "Life is a Highway." Our team time was just over 29 hours which is a pace of about 9:37 miles. Not bad considering all that we endured.

I was our runner number 11 and had a pretty reasonable leg. My first leg was 3.8 miles up over old Snow Basin Road. If I had the time to look back I would have seen a beautiful view of Pineview Resorvoir. Over the first 2.9 miles I gained just over 900 feet and over the last mile I dropped about 500 feet. I was surprised that given it was my first leg I didn't seem to find a really good groove on this run. In the end I finished up in 31:35. According to my neighbors Garmin that I borrowed I had traveled 3.86 miles for a pace of about 8:15 minute miles. Not a great time, but no one passed me and I passed 7 runners. Something that kept me pushing when I felt frustrated that I hadn't hit my groove. I would just pick out a runner ahead and promise I could ease up once I passed them. This game got me up and over the hill I was running. I started the run just a little before 8pm and it was neat watching the sun begin to set. Because of the hour I had to wear a reflective vest (at least 5 sizes too big) and a headlamp, but since the sun was glaring in my eyes I also kept my sunglasses on. I bet I looked really great wearing my vest, a headlamp and sunglasses.

From there the group camped out near East Canyon Resorvoir or some such place. We tried to rest on concrete and I got zero sleep. When Van #2 tagged us off it was pretty cold and I was looking forward to a pitch dark run...but alas by the time I ran it was nearing sun-up. On my second leg I saw the sunrise (again while wearing a vest and headlamp, this time no sunglasses).

My second leg felt a lot better than my first and I really hit a great groove. I ran 4.6 miles of fairly flat terrain. I have no idea exactly where I was but I finished in the town of Wanship, and the next runner took us past Rockport Lake (and Kent Canyon Road). I finished my 4.6 miles in less time than it took me to run 3.8 the night before. I was very pleased with my time of 28:52. A pace of around 6:20 minute miles. Along the run I passed an additional 16 runners. Though one lady that I passed came up behind me and took a lead from me for a few minutes. It was all the motivation I needed to sprint to the finish of this leg passing her right before I tagged out.

From there our group went to South Summit High where the gym was littered with sleeping bodies. Here I got my first shower in what seemed like forever and tried to sleep. I don't think I got much actual sleep, but the rest felt good. Knowing that my next leg would be the heat of the day and downhill I spent a lot of the time stretching and hoping my legs would forgive me for making them scream down the hill.

The heat and dust of Guardsman's pass was tough. Watching our runners as they climed that peak I knew I was in for it coming down. I started my run at about 3pm and it was over 90 degrees. Ironic that I ran by snow at the start because I was up so high.

The altitude wasn't too terrible, the heat was awful. I started out going up hill about 3oo feet of elevation in just a few hundred yards. Then, it was the drop. I passed through Deer Valley Ski Resort all the while causing my legs to scream and plead for help. I've never felt my thighs so acutely. The run was supposed to be 6.9 miles, but the Garmin read a full 7 miles and I felt every yard. My van was great as they stopped about every half mile so I could rinse the cotton feeling out of my mouth and pour more water over my head. Ironically, the last song that played on my ipod as I came to the end was the Ramones' "I want to be Sedated." Boy did I ever!

When I finally crossed my finish line I was too excited to remember to push stop on my Garmin. However, I did stop it before long and know that I ran the leg in about 55 minutes. Somewhere around 8 minute miles. Although that isn't great timing for going downhill, it definately took everything I had to make it. As I dropped I passed 6 runners. One cute little gal said to me as I passed, "Are your feet burning too?" "Oh ya!" I replied. And I'm still feeling it today, three days later. I was pretty proud that through it all I was never passed by a runner that I didn't also pass, and I was able to put 30 runners behind me. I don't know why I keep track of stuff like that, I guess that is some of my dad's competitive juices seeping out of me.

We met up with the last runner for our team about a hundred yards from the finish line and we raced in as a group. Some of our team had to leave owing to a plane flight, exhaustion, family obligations etc. However, it was awesome finishing as a team.

I can't wait to do it again next year!

Waiting to start my final leg...I'm a little anxious.

The picture above is from my last leg.

In this pic I am pouring water over my head from heat, but running past a bank of snow!

This was the home stretch for me, one more runner to try to pass before I was done!

Here I tag off for the last time...I'm all done!

Finishing as a team!

WE DID IT!

Leaving it all on the Course

Over the next few days (or weeks) I intend to blog a good deal about this past weekend's Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay Race. This was one of my most favorable memories I've had in a long time. For those who have never heard of it, the race comprises of 12 runners with varying legs in a race from Logan to Park City (about 180 miles). The race runs through the night and includes a stretch up, over and back down Guardsman's pass (STEEP!). Each runner ran 3 times over the course of the race (which our team completed in 29 hours). For more info go to Ragnarrelay.com and click on the Utah link. From there you can learn all about the race course etc.

Several of my teammates were taking pictures and I haven't been able to get them all yet. As soon as I do I will upload pictures and tell more about the race itself. I didn't take many pictures because they seemed to be doing such a good job of it. However, I actually wanted to share one thought that really struck me as I went through this draining (but so fun) experience.

Each leg of the race is very different. In fact, some of the legs are considerably harder than others. (The runners who had to go over Guardsman can attest to this). Each runner's legs had their own unique challenges. At the same time, each runner came to the race with a different level of preparedness. For some of the runners this was a first race. One runner had only known about the race for a few weeks and was an emergency fill-in. Other runners had been running for years. Each runner had their own style, and one runner on our team had to come all the way back to Salt Lake, attend a wedding reception, and meet up with us at the East Canyon Resavoir.

As I watched each runner there was no doubt that we all, at some point, were fighting an emotional battle willing our bodies to go on despite the feeling that it would be easier to just quit. It was so inspirational to see friends of mine gut through heat, dust, altitude, incline (or decline) and fatigue/exhaustion. I was moved, in particular, by the performances of our two power runners who faced Guardsman's Pass without folding to the pressure of quitting as they gritted out each grueling step.

Finally, after all was said and done we crossed the finished line...tired, hobbling, but with heads held high. As I looked over at my wife and two boys I honestly thought I was going to cry. As I look back, it really didn't matter how fast our team completed the course. It didn't matter who endured what legs...all that matter was that we all gave everything we had and left nothing on the course. I was so proud of each individual and therefore so proud of our team time.

As I reflect on life here on earth, this race seems so indicitive of what we faced on that mountain. No two people face the same challenges. Some legs in life are significantly harder than others and no two of us have the same skill set coming into life. However, in the end, it doesn't matter who the fastest runner was, it only matters that you leave nothing on the course. That you give your all despite the days it seems like it would be easier to just quit.

I truly hope that when my time on earth comes to an end, that I can feel like I did on Saturday. I may not have been the best runner there. I may not have had the hardest nor easiest leg. But through it all, I gave it my all. I hope that I look back on my life, like this race, knowing I gave it all that I had. I can honestly tell each member of my team that they got the best I had on that day. I hope I can tell my family the same as I pass from this life.

I hope that we can all be sure to leave nothing behind on the course.

All About Marcus

Looking over the blog I realized that I hadn't devoted all that much time to our little Marcus. He is still at that stage hwere it is hard to capture in writing the fun things he does and even harder to catch him doing them on video or with a picture. Still, we do have some fun pictures and stories.First and foremost Marcus is clearly a Grandpa's boy. He really takes to both his Grandpa Rod and Grandpa John. Both of his grandmas wish he took to them as well. However, it is so adorable watching him snuggle up to his grandpas. When G-pa John was in town last Marcus was asked where his nose was, to which he replied by pushing his nose up against his grandpa's nose. It was totally cute and you can see the video below.

Marcus is also quite the rock star. Every Sunday when we drive to church he really loves to belt out the Sounds of Sunday. He cracks me up. He has a pretty natural rhythm too. Clearly he gets all of this from his mother because none of it comes from me.

Marcus is all boy! He absolutely loves to play with his brothers basketball hoop and loves any kind of ball. He has quite an arm for such a little guy and also enjoys wrestling with his brother (until he gets hurt). Marcus also has the ability to turn anything into a gun and make it go "Pow Pow!" If you catch him on the right day he will even pretend to play dead...and that is adorable.
In my last post I mentioned that Marcus is like Jack Jack. It is so true. He has never really fallen into a great sleep cycle and though he can be as sweet and loving as any child, when he isn't sleeping right, he does have a bit of a fiery side. Jamie reports that Beth (his hairdresser) almost couldn't stop laughing long enough to cut his hair last time because of his Grunting at her. When he gets mad it isn't just whining, he will literally growl and grit his face and throw a little 18 month year-old tantrum. It is actually pretty funny, that is when you aren't in the midst of dealing with it. Most of the time though he is all smiles and lights up any room with his glowing personality.

Recently, Marcus has started to piece together the whole talking thing. He says "Dog" and "Ball" and "Tyler" all very well. He also is starting to get better at mimicking certain other sounds. For example, we really can't do much any more without hearing an "uh-oh" coming from Marcus. Also recently he saw a picture of his uncle Carl on the family calendar and spit it out perfectly (at least to his parents' ears). He also says "Bah Bye" very well.

Last, but not least, Marcus loves and adores his big brother, Tyler. They both love water fights and they love to make each other laugh. Tyler is getting better and better at being gentle with his brother and Marcus is getting better and better about bouncing back when he takes a Tyler thumping.

So Much To Blog, So Little Time

Sorry for the extreme neglect (all three of you faithful readers). It is always frustrating that when I have time to blog I don't have much to talk about and when I have tons to blog about I can't seem to find the time. Well, a few short memories to fill you in on with more to come soon (I hope).

First, another funny Tyler comment. We had our first fathers and sons campout a couple of weeks back. It was nice because it wasn't far from home but was out where the boys felt they were in the wilderness. In fact, Tyler even got worried about bears when one of his friends brought them up. However, the funny thing is that when we got back Tyler said his favorite part of the campout was..."the potty building." Yes, my son was impressed by the port-a-potty they brought in just for our campout. In fact, the first time he used it he said to me, "this sure is a nice building, I wish we had one like this for our potty." Later, he said "it sure was nice of the church and Jesus to let us use this nice potty for our camping trip." What a nut!

On the trip Tyler also became addicted to "ghost stories" and has been asking me non stop ever since to tell him a new ghost story. So, if any of you know a good, kid-friendly ghost story to share, please buzz me!

Next, a brief mention about what an athletic stud I married. Jamie competed again this year in the women of steel triathlon. She even beat her time from last year and had a lot of fun with both of her sisters. The second picture down from here was taken the evening of the race wearing their race shirts and necklaces. Congrats to all three of the Blackburn sisters.

Jamie really enjoys these tri races, and I love taking the boys to see her. This year grandma and grandpa Blackburn came along to cheer as well and grandpa helped make a cool sign. Even their Uncle Gary came out for the party. That night we were treated to some fine Elk Hash as grandpa John's brother Mike came over and spoiled us all with his cooking.

I know Jamie wishes she had more time to train and that it was easier to find times to workout; however, I remain in awe of how much she does get done. She is a strong woman and I think you will all agree she takes care of two of the cutest little boys ever.

Another fun happening of late was that Tyler officially graduated from his first year of pre-school. I really wasn't expecting much, boy was I wrong. They had the coolest little program complete with graduation gowns, etc. Tyler, unfortunately, was the class clown. I have no idea where he gets it! He was totally trying to make his mom and I laugh throughout the program. Fortunately, I hear that when we aren't around he is as good as gold. It was also fun being able to see Tyler's cousin Morgan graduate as well.

Next post I'll talk more about Marcus, but for now...don't worry he is still just a total cutie. Although, I do think he is a lot like Jack Jack from the show the Incredibles. One minute he is sweet as can be and the next minute you better watch out or he'll explode on you.