Family Time

I started my vacation on Wednesday. So thankful and so excited that my new job has blessed me with my first paid time off in over 7 years.

I left California at 5:30 pm with hopes of not needing to sleep and driving straight to my parents house in Utah. If my timing was accurate I could arrive at 8:30 am on Thursday given the hour loss for the time difference between states. At 5:00 am I was tired and pulled into a well lit lot to rest for about 20 minutes before getting back on the road. A short time later I was so sleepy I decided it was important to get some rest. I pulled into a gas station lot tilted my seat back and slept for 2 hours. I got back on the road and was just 2 hours from my parents house. I made a quick call home and said see you soon. 

My mom made an appointment for she and I at the hair salon. We came home and I caught a short nap while my mom went and picked cherries at our family friends home.

Friday we got the trailer prepared to go camping. My dad and brother drove to the campsite while my mom and I went to a quilt show. My mom and I pulled up to the campsite and helped my dad get set up. I went to a nearby campsite to welcome a fellow Spartan Race participant and her family. I had a great time gifting them some fun race stickers and bracelets. I went back to join my family and my dad was building a fire for my little brother to sit near. Ben likes to watch the fire and be warm. I prepared my pre-race chicken and veggies and set it over the fire to warm. Of course I had to follow it with roasting a couple marshmallows. Something my dad taught me years ago was patience when roasting a marshmallow and I've learned I like them just the right shade of golden roasted. My brother Ben is really funny he likes his marshmallow on a plate to eat with a spoon. After dinner my dad and Ben went fishing while my mom and I walked the campground. We ended the evening with family prayer where my mom prayed I would be watched over and do well in my race the following morning.

Saturday morning would begin like any other race day. Breakfast, race outfit and sunscreen. I'd make the pit stop for coffee before arriving at the race venue. This race was set to be different. I was given a complimentary entry to gift a friend so I was trying to make sure he was all set. I was also given the opportunity to share my story so I would be meeting with the videographer to discuss where I'd be recorded along the course and a post race interview. I also anticipated my mom, dad and brother being at the finish line.

I started the Spartan Race Utah Beast at 8:30 am with a goal of finishing in under 4 hours. The first 300 yards in immediately had a mud and water obstacle where I was filmed and given well wishes by Andrew the cameraman.

After a couple over under through obstacles, a short barbwire crawl, trail running and a rock that proved to be natures slip and slide I would come to the obstacle I knew would prove difficult for me. It is a cargo net traverse like monkey bars. After a few quick moves forward I dropped into the water earning me my first set of burpees. That was followed by the atlas carry and 5 burpees built into that obstacle. The next was the rope climb. Now given that I had just taxed my arms from the previous two obstacles and burpees I knew I had to stay focused on the bell at the top of the rope climb. I got to the top, rung the bell and off I went to more running and a spear throw which I missed. Yay more burpees. The volunteer was so excited I counted my burpees out loud that she told me to stop at 20 and I wasn't about to argue. The bucket gravel carry was once again a highlight because it is easy to me. I was running on the next section of trail only to hear a familiar voice say,"I was hoping to see you." It was my friend Mark who I'd made sure was all set with his gifted entry earlier. I responded I knew he'd catch up to me even if he was wearing his air Jordan high tops. We ran more of the course did the log hop successfully both tackling it like balancing ninjas gave high fives and carried on. There was a swimming under ropes obstacle with a guy spraying the participants as the passed through. I heard the Spartan Race staff say,"you thought I'd forgot about you didn't you." It was one of the guys I met in Monterey last year named JJ. He made me laugh and I loved the obstacle it was the cooling off I needed. The invert wall was fun as I recounted the story to Mark of being in Las Vegas and having to get a tire over that wall.

The traverse wall was next and Andrew asked to film that obstacle, but then needed to do something else. I was glad because despite fighting the cramping calf which that wall always seems to provide and Mark coaching me to the next block hand hold I fell from the wall and tackled 30 more burpees. 

I chose the men's weight on the sand bag carry. I did the tire flip and tire drag obstacles. Lots more running, chasing Mark when he got too far ahead and a stop for salt water at an aid station and I'd arrive at another rope climb. This was not the traditional rope climb the rope was thin and slippery and proved difficult and earned me 30 more burpees.

The end was near it was the longest, muddiest Barbwire crawl I'd ever seen on a race course. Andrew asks me to try to stay to the side as he's filming. I want to get through this fast and do well as I know my watch stopped just before my 4 hour goal mark and at mile 11. I start rolling through the mud under the Barbwire. I do some crawling, more rolling some sitting up because I get dizzy and finally resort to crab walking where I'm made aware that cramping is really annoying. I know I have to fight the finish line is so close. I get through the obstacle, stand up only to see the slippery incline wall. I am covered head to toe in mud there is not an inch of skin on my hands not muddy. Andrew suggests I use the ground to free my hands of mud so I can grab the rope. This process was hilarious I used to ground only to wipe my hands on my shorts and realize I just undid my work. I'm also so nauseous from the Barbwire crawl/rolling. After what seemed like an hour passed I grab the rope only to slip back down the wall. I decided I'll have to use a wrap technique with my hand, arm and the rope as I slowly make my way to the top of the wall. I arrive at the top just a little shy of being able to throw my leg over and a young man yells,"who needs a hand?" I tell him I do as he reached out his muddy hand to give me that little leverage I needed to kick my leg over. A photographer taking pictures of athletes jumping the fire captured the moment  but it's a little blurry. As soon as I'm on the other side of the slippery wall I hear a voice say,"come on Joanie you got it." It's my mom. I blink back a couple tears get down the wall jump the fire and cross the finish line earning my beast medal and completing my 2014 Spartan Race Tri-fecta.

I get a congratulatory hug from Mark all nice and muddy. We went to the rinse stations where we took turns spraying the mud off one another. I changed my clothes, put my tri-fecta medal together got a family photo with my mom, dad and Ben. Ben and I recreated a photo done years ago of him giving me a medal as I gave him my medals. I did my interview and said bye to my family. My mom left me some cherries to snack on and I went to volunteer with the street team at the exit tent.

I ended the day with a trip to visit my friend Clarisa, her husband and new baby Caroline. She offered me a Greek yogurt Popsicle and it was heaven. We had a great time catching up and I just adore her.

I got back home to my parents house. I was hungry, nauseous, and had a lovely headache. I think those are just side effects of pushing myself and having a great day.

Sunday afternoon my mom and I drove together to her brother's house 4 hours away. We all had a great dinner and visited before retiring to bed and my Uncle spoiled us with my favorite sausage, egg and coffee for breakfast the following morning. 

Monday I took my mom to the shuttle stop to catch her ride back home. My mom met a woman on the ride who is battling brain cancer and it reminded me very much of the great athlete and friend I met last year in Vermont who continues to battle his brain cancer with a great attitude.

As I was driving home Monday afternoon I made a special call to my Godson's mom and a very dear mentor to me. I left a message to thank her and let her know I paid her tribute in my interview. Patty's return phone call would come later Monday evening after I'd arrived home. Her words and kind thoughts and praises to me were so appreciated and welcomed.

I am so grateful for the time I was given to share moments with my family.

So often I hear complaints of strained relationships with family members and loved ones. I think all it takes is sharing some fun with one another and creating love and happiness and expressing lots and lots of thank yous.