Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Zions Ragnar Trail Race

This last weekend, April 26th through the 27th, my cousin, Krystyn and I ran in the Zions Ragnar Trail Race. 

It was a bonus weekend, not only did I get to spend time with my cousin, my Mom and my Aunt Julie (Krystyn's Mom) came down to spend the weekend with me in St. George.....well minus the time Krystyn and I were at the race. 
We did get to see some of St. George together, and it was fun to just sit around and talk. I just want to say, I have been blessed with a wonderful family.

Back to the race. Did I mention this was a Ragnar Race?? My very first Ragnar Race. Did I also mention that this was a trail race? Meaning, I would be running in the backwoods on a little trail, with ruts and rocks sticking up out of the ground, loose rocks, and uneven terrain. Again, did I mention this is my first Ragnar??

For those who don't know what a Ragnar Race is, it is a relay run. It takes 2 days to run the race since you get to run 3 times throughout the 2 days. There was 8 on my team. There were 3 trails we each had to run once. We would each take turns running one of the courses, till all of us had run all 3 trails. We each ran roughly 15 miles. It is different then a Ragnar on the road, we got to camp, sit around, eat, get a massage and sit by the campfire instead of following a runner crammed into a van with other smelly people and driving all night.

Tent city!
The race was held just outside of Zions National Park at a place called Zions Ponderosa Ranch. We had to drive through the park and come out on the way to Kanab to get to this ranch.
There were thousands of people there, this is only one side of camp and my camera doesn't do justice as to how many people are actually there.

That white tent is where you would start and finish your trail race.

Map of the Ragnar Trail Zion Course
This is what the course looked like. The Green run was 3.9 miles, the Yellow run was 3.8 miles and the Red run was 7.2 miles. 

The Yellow trail was my first run, I was the 5th runner and started my running time about 5 P.M. The first little bit wasn't too bad, but once you hit that incline, it is pretty much straight up. I was hiking not running, though some people did run up the mountain. At one point you are on top of the mountain and able to look out over the beautiful scenery. Once up and over the mountain the run down was fun, I would say the run down was my favorite part of the all the trails, though going up was brutal! 

I had to run the Red trail at midnight....needless to say I walked a good amount of it. I had a head lamp but after watching 3 people trip and I myself almost tripping I decided I would be safe and walk instead of face plant it in the dirt. 

The Green trail was my last leg, and it was claimed to be the easiest. I ran this leg about 8 A.M. I was out of gas by this point. I did run a good amount of it, but my knees weren't taking it anymore. I ended up walking some of it, which I wasn't too proud of doing, but I didn't want to injury myself. 

Here is Krystyn coming in from her last run.

I made Krystyn stop to get our picture taken before she could even go get some water after her run, aren't I a nice cousin?

Just for fun, I saw this cool lizard hanging around our camp. There are lots of lizards down here, I think I might need to try and catch one.

I will admit I did not train well for this race. It was a good experience for me though. I like running, I have a long ways to go though to get to where I want to be as a runner. 
Will I do one of this again? 
For right now I am good, but who knows maybe I will change my mind about that.

Monday, April 22, 2013

My First Trip to Zions National Park and Other Things

Dave was in town this past week!
I love it when we get to spend time together. I just wish that time would move at a snail pace when we are together though.
We spent lots and lots of time at the hot tub. When Dave made it here at 10:30 P.M. on Monday night the first he asked if we were headed to the hot tub. He was lucky it closes at 11:00 P.M.

We got to go see Don Williams in concert with the hubby's parents here in St. George. 

I love his music. 
I can listen to him just about 24/7, his voice is soothing to me. You should you tube him if you have heard him before. 
Look up the song "I believe in you". That is a good one.

Dave's parents thought it would be fun to go to Zions on Saturday and see the park and have a picnic. 
I can't believe I hadn't been to this majestic place until now.




These squirrels were fearless when it came to people!


Such a gorgeous place. I am going to be running a ragnar race in Zions this weekend, how cool is that?! 
Which reminds me....I should probably be training right now......ahem.

The hubs had to return to Durango due to the fact that we need to be able to pay for things and since his job is still there, off he went. 
Miss you Dave, but I am proud that you want to support our little family. Even if you are in another state. 

Before he took off though, I had him help me transfer my 1 cent tomato plant to the topsy turvy.

It may not be a big garden like I dream of having, but this little plant is still my garden. We'll see how well of a green thumb I actually have.

Friday, April 12, 2013

1 Cent Tomato Plant

So not too much is really going on in my life. At least, nothing really to report. 
Dave is still in Durango and I am still in St. George.

I keep busy by running (I am doing my first Ragnar Trail at the end of this month, yikes!), workout videos, learning the guitar (I am taking it slow, so no performances yet), working, going to church, reading books from the library, and spending countless hours on the internet (I am seriously disgusted with myself with the hours I spend looking at Facebook posts, I have a problem!). 

I have been cooking, and I actually tried a new recipe the other night, that included poached eggs, sauteed spinach and mushrooms. It was delightful and made me feel like I haven't lost my desire to cook. 
Living alone can make you lose your desire to cook, at least for me. 
I need people to feed! I want to share what I make with others. 
So maybe my parents should come down to visit.....right, Mom and Dad???

The other day in the IFA paper I found a coupon to receive a 1 cent tomato plant. I love gardens and fresh tomatoes, even though I don't have a garden area I couldn't pass up a great deal on a plant!


I stopped on the way home and picked up my plant.
It brought some joy in my life, I am looking forward to watching it grow.
I will most likely be trying out the Topsy Turvy again, maybe I will have better luck here than in Lubbock. 


Look at how little it is! 
It amazes me how something so small will grow and produce so much food just off of one plant. 
I am already planning the delicious BLTs I will be eating!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

They Say It's Your Birthday

Today is this handsome man's birthday!




Love your face, Dave.

I am very put out that I won't be spending my Husband's birthday celebrations with him. 
Though I am in another state, I am still hoping his birthday is as just as grand.
I'll make you my Mom's cinnamon rolls as your birthday treat when you come visit me, Dear. 
I love you with all my heart.