Each Day Is a Gift

3 Grannies + 2 Chicks

Kathie, our WONDERFUL team captain (a brand new granny of less than 24 hrs) picked us up: Marcie, me, Kimmie and their mom on Fri. afternoon for the drive down to SG (Teena went w/ Ry).  We couldn't decide on a team name (Running No Nads, Andy's Harems, Sweet Dreams or Beautiful Nightmares, etc.).  Eventually let Kathie's and Kimmie's mom chose her favorite:  3 grannies + 2 chicks! 

5 hours of laughing & giggling later, we arrived at SG just in time for dinner at Applebees where Teena joined us.  While Kathie went to the team captain meeting, we shopped for food for breakfast and the relay.  Then we drove down to Kathie's sister's house (aka free & comfy lodging) in Mesquite.  We went to bed around 10:30pm.   Thanks to Kimmie's AdvilPM and the comfy queen bed I slept like a baby 'till the alarm went off at 5:40.  We left the house promptly at 6:13 for the drive to the start.   Kathie, Kimmie and their mom are wonderful.  Since the sisters ran this relay last year (3 Hags & 2 Stags), they knew the course/driving route and had everything down to a T.   

The orders of both our 1st and 2nd legs were the same:  Kimmie, Smooth, Kathie, Marcie, Teena .  The 3 grannies sandwitched by the 2 chicks.

Leg #1, 2, 3

Temp at the start was 36F.  I wore l/s top and tights.  After a quick Kodak moment, and greetings w/ Andy, we bid Kimmie good luck and drove down the canyon to my exchange point.   My 1st leg, Red Rock N'ROLL,  is 5.2 miles down winding Hwy 91 with the view of some beautiful red mountains of Ivins in the distance, thru the Shiviwits Indian Reservation & lots of big wide open desert land, running on the narrow shoulder facing traffic.  There are 2 noticeable uphills (my Garmin showed 3 hills and 1 blib) otherwise overall downhill.

First mile was a gentle downhill where I easily passed 3 runners.  Ran that in 7:45 and felt very comfortable.  The first uphill was around mile 1.5.   Saw 2 targets and passed both on this hill in 8:05.  Mile 3 was a sweet downhill where I picked off 2 more runners in 7:25.  SO HAPPY to see my teammates cheering, can't begin to describe the joy they gave me!!!  Mile 4 is a slight downhill where I passed 2 runners in 7:46.  Another uphill where I passed 2 more runners before turning left onto 400 S.  The last mile was relatively flat.  Concentrated on reeling in the 2 runners ahead, was only able to pass 1 making a total of 12 road kills.  Was happy that no one passed me.  The last mile was a disappointing 8:30.  Forgot to start the Garmin the first little bit and didn't turn it off at the finish while checking in so the last split was at 12:32 showing my average pace at 8:00.

While driving to the next exchange we were able to cheer Kathie couple of times enroute.  We saw her easily passed one guy and pointed out her next target, a Red-rebel girl.  Her leg has a lot of rolling hilly trail and turns in some neighborhood.  Kathie was AWESOME, running strong. 

Leg #4, 5, 6

Marcie, a 44 yr young granny with 55 marathons under her belt, was astounded to find out her 1st leg was a short 4+ miler blasting down to Dixie Dr.  We knew she would be FAST so we quickly drove to the next exchange at a little park where Teena was waiting (Ry dropped her off earlier).  I pinned the bib on her and she was ready to RACE.  That girl ran her leg in lightning speed.  After she handed off to Kimmie, she was worried that she had run that leg too fast and not enough time to rest.  I assured her that I would run plenty slow to give her more than sufficient time to recover.  :)

Leg #7

Waited to run my last leg on the Virgin River Trail at high noon.  Changed to s/s top and shorts and realized I hadn't eaten since breakfast at 6am (half a bagel & yogurt).  Quickly ate a handful of almonds and drank some gatorade and water.  This leg is named Expedition Virgin River on a winding city bike trail along the Virgin River, a gradual uphill with a little bit of a big hill at mile 3.   

A fairly strong headwind greeted me which got even worse for my teemmates later with blowing red dirt.  Tried to run the tangents on the trail while watching for cyclists.  Passed 3 runners within the first mile; but didn't see a single runner until the last 0.5 mile and no way of catching her.  Got lazy running alone on the winding windy trail.  I now know why it helps to have other runners to race with.   On Riverside Dr. I ran on the sidewalk.  Didn't want any car hitting me from behind.  At the top of the hill I could see Kimmie waiting with a water bottle.  What a blessed sight!  That drink revived me.  THANKS Kimmie!  I picked up the pace and happily let Kathie took over the next leg.   Splits:  8:06, 8:10, 8:48, 8:52, 8:07.  AP: 8:27.  Total road kills for the day = 15.  Wanted to make 17 for Teena, dang!

Leg #8, 9, 10:

The next 3 legs for Kathie, Marcie and Teena were tough.  We got out when possible to cheer and offer water.  I ran a little bit of the uphill with them at the exchange points.   Kathie was amazing running up and down the hills where ATVs roam.  She totally rocks!  Wish you were there to feel the love and pride Kimmie and their mom have for her.

Big salute to Marcie running that Dam leg dirt trail uphill with a WICKED headwind blowing red dirt in her face.  With asthma and all, she conquered that leg like no others.  What a toughie!  They gave hats to those finishing the BRUTAL leg #9.

Teena had been texting Andy (whose team finished 3rd overall) getting his splits and headsup since they ran the same legs.  She strategized how to run her "glory leg" w/o disappointing the team.  Whatever!  She was running smooth, fast and strong like an elite passing Dean, a strong runner.  It stinks that she had to run past the finish location out for another 1.1mile to turn back.  The wind was merciless.  But she was fearless, fast and fabulous.  We sure were PROUD of her!  We ran in together to the finish line, finishing 6th in the women division (out of 25, I think) and 27th overall.  We were told there were 95 teams.

After some fun chatting with Andy and more Kodak moments we dropped Teena off at the golf course where Ry was golfing; then Kimmie drove us home.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this relay with my favoritest friends, making memories, sharing inspiring stories, good laughs and giggles.  I learned SO MUCH from these GREAT ladies whom I have come to love and admire! 

Sorry I have no pictures to post b/c my son was needing the camera for his Eagle project which got canceled at the last minute due to the snow.  STINK!