My Amazing and Crazy Aunt

So I was watching the news last night and all of a sudden I saw my aunt on the TV. She's crazy but I love her!!!

Check out what she's up to now
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4355929 (video)

Two men are traveling through Utah this week, crossing the entire country on foot. They're running, not walking, trying to set an all-time speed record; and a Utah woman has joined them for a sizable chunk of their ordeal.

A stretch of U.S. 50, called "The Loneliest Road in America," is a perfect place for ultra-ultra-marathoner Marshall Ulrich. "Right now we're getting some rolling hills. That suits me just well. I like the variation of terrain," he said.

A few miles back is his colleague on the cross-country run, Charlie Engel. "It's certainly a personal quest to see if something like this can even be done, because I'm not sure," he said.
Engel has company the next few days with Utah ultra-marathoner Lorie Hutchison. She said, "I figure if he can run across America, hopefully I can make it across Utah."

Think about it, they're out of bed every day and running about 70 miles, every day. "Yeah, this is a whole ‘nother challenge for me because this is day after day after day of running," Hutchinson said. We asked her why she punishes herself when she could be sitting at home on the couch. Her response: "Yeah, why sit at home is what I say. There's no reason to sit on the couch when you can be outside. I mean, this is beautiful out here."

The Utah section is about 350 miles, stretching from Delta to Spanish Fork to Vernal. It will take five or six days to cross the Utah canyons, deserts and mountains, 45 days to cross the continent.

"On some level it's very painful and there's a lot of suffering that's involved with it, so you just have to block that out," Ulrich said.

It has been done before. The previous runner went 3,000 miles in a little over 46 days. The goal of the two men is to beat that record.

"In those low, low spots you just have to understand that you'll come back," Ulrich said.
The runners are partnered with United Way, raising funds and awareness for youth fitness. As Engel says, "To show them what can be done."

Physical problems have slowed them down, so they're about a day behind schedule. You can follow their progress http://www.runningamerica08.com/

My Dad is THE COOLEST!

So my dad is freaking amazing! Two weeks ago he and Randy Steinfield (Shambray's dad) took on a 206 mile bike ride. My dad finished 21st in his age group and just under 11 1/2 hours! He would have finished faster but the last 4 miles my dad got really sick and it slowed him down quite a bit. Well, I've been really bad about picture taken lately so again I don't have any pictures but I'll be sure to get some and dedicate a post to my superman father.




Here's a look at the elevation climbs they made....madness!

He totally inspired me and I think I might want to do it with him next year. 11 hours on a bike, climbing up and down mountains, eating a liquid diet...no big deal right? Well dad...your amazing!

Tikes, Trikes, and Triathlons

So this past weekend was a busy one. On Saturday my sister and I completed the Ogden Valley Triathlon. I wasn't sure I was going to survive after the open water swim but I did and I'm totally proud of myself. The race broke down as follows:

1000 meter swim (in the disgusting PineView Dam)
15.2 mile Bike (around the whole dam)
4 mile Run

I completed the race in 1 hr and 58 mins. My goal was 3 hrs and so I was way surprised I did it so fast. I came in 17th in my age group which was 20-24 so I was one of the oldest people in that age group.

For the race you had to have your age marked on your right calf which I thought was weird but as the race went along I found that very helpful. I was able to see how old the person in front of me was which gave me some motovation. If the person in front of me was 40 I HAD to pass them. I have way too much pride. I was super stoked during the running when I passed a 15 yr old. I felt pretty awesome.

Anyway, the triathlon was really fun. I hated the swim but I made it through. I'm still not sure if I'd do another open water swim one but I'm glad I did at least one. After the race we headed to my mom's to celebrate my nephew Bennett's 1st birthday. I was lots of fun and we all had a good time.

Sorry for no pictures but my HUSBAND missed the race. He thought he had more time to get to Ogden but since I got done way faster than I thought he missed the whole thing! So I'll try and gather some pictures from my sisters and be sure to post them.

Say a Little Pray for Me!

click to enlarge..sorry the font might be a little fuzzy!

My Home Away From Home

So I totally miss St. George! I like to remember the days of no responsibilities, driving my aunt & uncle crazy, and hanging out with my girls. I was in St. George every summer, all summer from age 16 to 20...oh how I miss those days AND I miss my girls. I love my cute little cousin in St. George and I wish I could see them more (heck, I was there for the birth of two of them!) Well, I saw these pictures on my cousins blog and I just had to post them for all of you too see. They are too funny!

A Stressful Moment

Hooray for ipods!