Ragnar 2011- Part 3

Garrett getting ready for his second leg. He wore his BYU-Idaho track uniform (and wool socks).

Stretching. We had to wear a vest, head lamp, and tail lamp from 7 p.m.-7:00 a.m.

Maegan's strong finish at the end of her second leg. She was wore bells on her shoes.

This was a high school gym filled with sweaty bodies. The only light came from the exit sign. We slept (or at least attempted to sleep) for a couple of hours. At 1:37 a.m., we got the call from our second van that we needed to get ready to the exchange 20 miles away. Sometimes teams lost track of their members. Bryan Hanks remembers shining his cell phone on sleeping faces hoping to identify missing team members.

Michael getting ready for his final, and most difficult leg. He had over 7 miles of up-hill running that began at 4:00 a.m. This was to be a "no support" run.

Maegan was our team cheerleader. She brought her son's bike horn that had a very distinct sound that could be heard over music and rushing cars. Whenever you heard the horn, you knew your van was coming with water and supplies.

People crashed any and everywhere.

Garrett coming in from his final leg. He was the quickest member in our van.

Ripping off the slap bracelet.

Michael stepping over bodies. Who chooses to sleep on the sidewalk?!

Breakfast the next morning.

Hickory-dickory-dock, the Big Bad Wolf, Chick head, Mary Had a Little Lamb, a Centaur, and a Fine Lady with rings on her fingers and bells on her toes.

Bat Man

Yes, they wore this while running. Including the shield.

Hammer Time!

Idaho Potatoes

Little Boy Blue and Wee Little Winky

Bryan's sister was the Princess and the Pea.

We all ran the last 100 yards together. Posing with our medals. (It was very hard to bend over with weak, shaky legs.)

We are awesome. Hear us roar!

Ragnar 2011- Part 2

Decorating the van the night before.  We were the "Story Bookers."  Everyone dressed up like a character from a book or nursery rhyme. 

Michael was the Big Bad Wolf.  As you can see from his drawing, he was very fierce.  Or at least possessed.

 Allie was very disappointed James had driven away with the kids before he could draw for the team.  I think this was a mouse from Cinderella (also possessed), Jack-be-nimble's candlestick, and a random frog.

 Humpty Dumpty

This sword taped to the wiper was our mascot.  It glowed in the dark.  We were hoping to turn on the wipers so you could see the sword slashing the air through the darkness.

 Slumber party at Kristen and Alex's house the night before.  I don't think anyone was able to sleep.

 Getting geared up for the start.  As you can see from John's face, it was very cold.

Allie was runner one.  We began at 6:15 a.m. and finished shortly after noon the next day.  You can see the slap bracelet on my left wrist.  There wasn't a baton.  The slap bracelet was very convenient.  Some wore it on their arms, or even ankle.

Tessa offered me her gloves just prior to leaving.  The Holy Ghost whispers to children.  She saved me.  But the rest of my body was hot.  At my very first water-stop, I begged Maegan to rip my pants off (I had layered well).

I finished my first leg much faster than anticipated.  In fact, the next runner was in line for the outhouse when he heard the announcement that team #198 was a half-mile away from the exchange.  He had to wait.

Ragnar 2011- Part 1

 Allie starting to climb the ski slope that started her nearly 9-mile second leg.  Kill one accomplished.  (A kill is when you pass someone on the course.  Some teams kept track of their kills with washable tally marks on their car windows.)

 Garrett, our fastest runner in the van, ran up the hill to take this picture for me.

About 100 yards ahead we began running through snow.  I had just changed into dry socks.  Clearly, it didn't do me any good.

 Water bottle exchange.

 This was the prettiest course I have ever run.

 About here my pasta lunch began to churn in my stomach. 

Check out that stride at mile 8.3!  Running toward the exchange. 

 This guy's target says, "Kill me now."  He wore that face mask for whole race.

 This car had Barbies taped to their car.  The runners even looked like Barbies.

 Everyone decorated their vans.  On the back of this car it read, "Van #2 sucks."  Obviously there was a lot of camaraderie between both sets of vans.

 This was the Marine from Boston that was assigned to our team. His duck has a beer in hand.  I don't think he knew before hand that his entire team was comprised of Latter-day Saints.

 Mike showing Garrett his app.

 Huh?

 Maegan and Brett

 Napping while waiting for van #2. 

I had no idea I was going to be running up that ski slope.  I knew I was going down the mountain, but I didn't know I had to run to the top first.

 The lodge where we ate lunch.

Picnic in the Back Yard

Our sweet kiddos.  Ben is a tiger, I think.

Spring Soccer

Marie the cheer leader does a hand-stand.

Cousin Bryson came to the game.

Ben stops the ball and turns it around.

Running for the goal.

Ben scored two goals in his final game.  Notice the expression of the opponent to his left who couldn't believe he scored a goal.

Ben wasn't intimidated by size.  He'd plow into people just to get the ball. 

Good job, Ben!

James

The best decision I ever made.

Cute Grace

After admiring the cute three-year-old, I'd like to draw your attention to the long hair which no longer flows past my shoulders. But that is another post...

Ben and Grace

They only come out of the box for food and an occasional bath.

Tessa's Research Project

Over spring break, Tessa was given the assignment to tour a local business and write a report on it. She went to Hay's Market, a mom and pop supermarket here in town. The morning of her interview with the owner, Tess asked me what she should wear. I told her she needed to wear something nice. The next thing I know, Tessa is walking down the stairs in her hot pink feather boa. I don't know now the owner was able to keep a straight face when she leaned over, looked at him over the rim of her glasses and asked, "Mr. Hays, can you please explain how your store is competitive with Walmart and King Soopers?"