Highlight of the summer

Summer came and went so fast that I didn't get a chance to blog about the highlight of my summer. So better late then never. Last year Keith ran a 50k race in the Big Horn Mountains and once he was done I had the itch to do it with him next year. So we got a running schedule set up and off we set to get ready to run a 32 mile race. By the time it was race day I was more then ready to run. We had worked hard and I was just ready to get to it! So on Friday we took off for Sheridan to spend the night there and then head up to the mountain early on Saturday morning. What was great is my sister Heather, and my Mom and Dad came with us and stayed the night. The bad part was that we stayed in a hotel that was right next to the train tracks and not a one of us,except for Keith got any sleep. I think a train passed by every hour and would honk it's horn at least three times but it felt like ten. What was really wonderful was we had the kids come with us, and Heather was our little babysitter. The kids were in heaven because they got to sleep in her room and then spend the day with her. Also Mom and Dad drove Keith and I to the starting line and it was just so nice not to have to worry about any thing but our race. Even better I asked my Dad if he would take some pictures and he went above and beyond and took so many great pictures.

Here is the picture of us as we are checking in for our race. We were about the first ones up there but we had to wait for 3 other buses bringing all the racers. So we waited and waited and then found out that the last bus and taken a wrong turn and was late.
So here we are trying to stay warm and stretching. It was chilly that morning which was not so good for my Mom and Dad but for us it was good since we would be running all day.

Here we are getting in line to run. My Mom was standing by us and I asked her for a good luck hug and two people walked by and said, "We need one too." and so my Mom gave two strangers a hug. The look on her face was funny but she took it all in stride. Then as soon as the third bus showed up it was time to go. We were 20 minutes behind schedule and they didn't give us much time to think it was sing the anthem and then send us off on our way.

Here is the group that we ran with. Keith and I were at the very back of the line. What is funny is everyone starts out running and then they reach this hill about 20 yards away and they all stop to walk up it. Granted it is a steep hill but you would think they would just walk the whole way. As for me, I was so ready to run that I told Keith I wanted to run up it as much as I could and so we did but it didn't last long. Not only is it a steep hill but it is forever long.

Here we are walking with the rest of the crowd.

Once we got past the hill we ran and ran. I was having such a great time. The view was awesome and the people working the race were so nice. On the first leg of the race you make a loop back to were you started and so this picture is of us after our first 14 miles.

We ran through snow, mud and water. We also ran down hill a lot and because of that Keith in this picture is taping my blisters. For bonus you get to see my muddy legs. Nice sock line. (;

Then after we got something to eat, which I think I had pizza at this station, and also something to drink we were off again. Here we would make the last 18 miles and not see any family until the finish line. I wish I would have brought a camera to take pictures of how beautiful the scenery we ran through was. It was great.

The sad part was after about 10 miles later from this point Keith's knee started to hurt him. We had to walk which for scenic purposes was wonderful but you could tell he was not happy about not being able to run. What was hard for me was watching all the people we had passed, now pass us. My competitive side kicked in a little but was soon gone knowing how frustrated Keith was as well. At one of the stations an EMT sat Keith down and wrapped his knee and we were back in business. He was able finish the race running the whole time.

This was a great race. The only thing that was hard for me was the last 5 miles. We were out of the mountains and so it felt as though we should be done but we still had 50 minutes left to run. That was the worst and I also felt as though if I stopped running at any point I wouldn't be able to start again. So here we are at the finish line. Keith's family showed up to support us and as we were running into the park there was Allen running to catch up to us to take a picture. He and Cindy had just gotton there at the same time we were running in. Judy and Bob and Keith's Grandma and Grandpa Wharton were also there. It was so nice to see them and know they were there for us even if it was just to watch us run about 15 yards of our race.

All done! Once we stopped I was ready to just sit and never get up again. The blisters on my feet had to be taken care of because they were about the size of Texas and I just felt exhausted.

Keith's Grandpa Wharton was great to buy both of us a wonderful massage! It was a life saver after such a long run. Can you see my feet and the tape job the EMT did for me.

I can't put into words what it felt like to finish this race. It was so awesome to train and work so hard and then make it to the end in one piece. I was so happy to be able to run this race with Keith and I had such a great time. Thanks Keith for all the encouragement and for staying with me even up the steep hills. Thanks also to everyone that was there for us! It made a fun run even better with you there and the memory that much more enjoyable. If you want to know weather or not I'm ever going to run this race again I guess you will just have to see if I post about it next summer. ;)