Relay "Runs"

Okay.  I'm leaving in 1 hour to drive down to Cedar City, Utah to check-in my 12 man team for this Red Rock Relay.  It goes 187 miles and ends right in front of Zion's Canyon with the huge mountains looming above you.  It is gorgeous and the scenic adventure is so worth it.  But here's my issue.

Ulcerative Colitis.  I'll post more about this some time in the future.  But it's an intestinal condition that is worsened by stress.  Relays stress me out.  Especially THIS one because I'm the captain and the past few weeks, and DAYS, especially, have been super stressful.  I've had a continual headache (and I never get headaches) and my stomach feels uneasy and I'm in and out of the bathroom like it's a new trend.  So as far as my bowels go... they are going crazy.

This happened last year when I did this relay.  It was my very first one and I'd never done any kind of big race before, minus a 10K, so I was pretty clueless going into it.  I ate whatever I wanted the day before and definitely feasted on the free spaghetti dinner provided the night before.  *BAD IDEA*.  I literally had to stop at every port-a-potty on the race route to do my business.  And believe me.  There was business to be taken care of.  It was ridiculous and it seemed impossible that my body still had crap in it-- no pun intended-- to get rid of.  I was so sick all weekend but still managed to run my legs and come out alive.

I was a little more careful with the next 2 relays that I did and didn't have huge catastrophic bowel adventures.  However, I will never have a fear of port-a-potties because I've spent many life moments in them and they don't phase me at all.

But today, I feel sick.  I have a headache.  I shouldn't feel stressed because we're leaving soon and if I've forgotten something, oh well because it's too late.  I've gone to the bathroom at least 10 times already and have a 3-4 hour drive ahead of me.  This will be interesting.  I'm trying to trick my body and just be calm and say, "You're not stressed... you feel great... no problems here".  But my bowels are smarter than that.

Wish me luck.  Maybe throw out a prayer that my inner-self will be able to take control and put a stop to the madness.  But seriously.  When I say relay "runs"...  I guess that's what I get for signing up for this stuff. Stress.

I'm posting a few of my favorite pics from the Red Rock Relay in September 2010.  The crazy reason why I ever started doing these kinds of races.  Good times for everyone!

Our team name was "To Run or Not to Run"

Is it obvious that I was in charge of our team uniform??  :)

My van load with the boys.

Allyson, our trusty team captain.  Now I am fully aware why she had no desire to do this again.  At least the "team captain" part of the deal.

The 3 bars represent each leg of the course you ran.  Finished!

I love that huge mountain.

Me and Jessee, who was a fun teammate and became a great friend afterward.

Team reunion about 2 months after the relay.  Yay!  So fun to be together again.

Be excited to see NEW pictures some time soon!  Go "Red Rock Rhythm!!!"