Viva La Familia!

Ragnar - Wasatch Back - June 15 & 16, 2012

John & I had a great time running Ragnar with our friends Brandon & Debbie last year, but we didn't know anyone else on the team. We decided to put together our own team this year with as many family members as possible. We named the team "Viva La Familia" (Long Live the Family). John's family came through with 8 other members (his 2 brothers, sister, brother-in-law, 2 nephews, niece, & cousin). I could only talk my nephew Zach into coming with me so I had to recruit my BFF Natalie. I asked my brother Marc to design our team jerseys and here is the fantastic finished product. We loved wearing them!

John & I decided to run in separate vans because no one else (except Zach) had run Ragnar before. John was in Van 1 with Stephen, Tiffany, Larry, Julie, & Travis.

I ran in Van 2 with Ryan, Aaron, Nate, Natalie, & Zach.

It was so fun hanging out with Nat for 36 hours straight. We are bosom buddies and I enjoyed every minute with her. Here we are with smiles and clean hair & bodies, ready to run.

After Van 1 had run their first "legs" we hooked up while Natalie took off as our first runner. We decorated our vans complete with sombreros and fiesta banners. :)

Here am I running my legs off...

We met up with Van 1 again at the night exchange. Here's John getting ready to run his night leg.

Ryan and John properly attired for the night runs. Little did I know that would be the last "normal" photo of John.

The next photo of John was this one, sent to me on my phone by Julie. After John ran his leg, he got into the van and drank a protein drink - the same kind he had been drinking for several years. We have no idea what caused the reaction, but John started swelling up and having a hard time breathing. It got worse so they called for an ambulance to take him to the nearest hospital.

Notice the time - 1:04 a.m. They gave him a shot of epinephrine, benadryl, and a steroid. Once he felt better, his van came and picked him up and he was back to business...with some slightly puffy features.

He's a tough man! After he ran all his 3 legs, he came and ran my last leg with me.

Finally, after 30+ hours we crossed the finish line together. What a great experience.

More of John's family and Jyson came to meet us at the finish line. We were happy to see them.

The week after Ragnar we signed up for next year - Viva La Familia Dos!