Red Rock Relay Zion, Year 1(?)

This year I ran the Red Rock Relay Zion with a group of fantastically fun girls. I'm only sad that I didn't get any pictures with our Van 2. We barely saw them and didn't get to spend much time with them at all. I hope to do more running with them in the future to make up for it.

Here's Melanie at the start, waiting for her turn to go!

 And the pass-off to sister Andrea...

 ...who passed off to sister Brooke.

 

Captain America

 The shots of the view speak for themselves.

 Done with all of our runs!

I loved this relay! It was beautiful! We started up at Brian Head ski resort. My first run (Leg 4) was through Cedar Breaks National Monument -- so peaceful and gorgeous. My second run (Leg 16) is nicknamed "The Dirty Devil." It was 5.8 miles uphill on a straight road in the pitch black. That means I saw the lights of the finish right when I started. Running on a dirt road alone in the dark, with millions of stars twinkling down on me, no music -- just the sound of my shoes and breathing, the end in sight, got me thinking about how that particular leg was a metaphor for life. (Don't worry -- I won't share it with you. One day my posterity will read it in my journal and groan :)) It was a great leg. Our Van 2 got to run past the Mountain Meadows Massacre site in the middle of the night. Glad I didn't have to. My last run (Leg 28) was toasty but pretty. And more importantly, it was the last. Halleluiah. We ended up leaving to come home before our Van 2 arrived at the finish. I hear Fast Mitch brought us in well :). Next year I will bring more toilet paper. And maybe a Go Girl.