Wasatch Back 2010, The "Ragnar"

Last weekend Colby and I ran the Ragnar Relay Series Wasatch Back. We had a blast! It was my first team relay race and it was a very different experience from other long distances races I have run. Here are some "fun facts" about the Ragnar:

• The Wasatch Back is 188 mile long race that runs along the backside of the Wasatch mountains from Logan to Park City (hence the name "Wasatch Back")
• Relay teams consist of twelve members. Each team member runs three legs, ranging from three to ten miles.
• This year 1051 teams participated in the Wasatch Back, although our team was "pretty much the best relay team ever."

The Ragnar had a little bit of everything (except sleep!):

It had Family and Friends

Me and Marcie and the starting line.

Me and Colby in his sweet transition lenses. Can I just say that I am married to a total running ROCKSTAR!?! Colby was awesome. His first leg was 7.4 miles, uphill, on a gravel road over Avon pass and he ran the entire thing (and ran it in under 10 mins per mile). Rockstar. Who knew?

Our team (minus Logan and Jared #2), the night before the race.

The Frost crew Jared, Dan, Marcie, Ron, Crystal, Shauni and Colby.

The Ragnar also had beautiful scenery.

There are not too many things in life that can compare with the view you have while running up to Snowbasin ski resort or the peace you feel running through the beautiful mountains of Oakley, Utah as the sun is rising. Incredible.

The mountains are even more amazing to me now that we have lived away from them for so many years.

Of Course, The Ragnar also offered lots and lots of running...

Jared Frost starting his run up to Snowbasin.

James McBride heads in to the exchange point in Liberty.

Ron finishes his first leg through Ogden Valley.

Dan begins his accent into Paradise.

I am glad to have my uphill climb behind me as a arrive at the exchange point in Oakley.

Marcie can't contain her excitement as she runs through Liberty and Eden.

Logan was amazing! His 6.7 mile run through Cache Valley didn't phase him.

Colby also made it look too easy.

Ron helps Marcie hydrate on her final leg.

Ron assists Steve on his uphill climb through Wasatch Mountain State park.

Ragnar also offered a finish line.

Although we all had a blast, we were thrilled when it was over.

Our team finished in just under 30 hours, which was faster than our projected time.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated on our team, to my mom, Ron and Chelsey for being our volunteers and to Susan for watching our kids for 30 hours. We couldn't have done it without you!

Top Ten Things to do in Cancun

To celebrate Colby's graduation, we went to Cancun with the Frost family. We had a BLAST! It was so nice to get away for a week. Here are the highlights of our trip, and the top ten things we recommend doing if you visit Cancun:

10. Visit Xel-Ha, and all inclusive resort with snorkeling, tubing, cliff diving and "rope walking." LOVE the all you can drink virgin pina coladas and soft serve ice cream.

9. Go to a timeshare presentation. Enjoy a fabulous buffet breakfast and then relax on the poolside furniture,

After three hours of convincing, become time share owners, despite the many conversations about "just saying no, " "not giving in," and not being the "weakest link."

8. Go a the MOST BEAUTIFUL beach you've ever seen.

Relax on the fine, white sand and body surf in the clear, blue water.

7. Sneak into the Tulum ruins. Not because you want to, but because by the time you pay for the toll road, parking, train ride, and bathroom you are fresh out of pesos.

Discover that Tulum is totally worth risking doing time in a Mexican prison.

6. Rent a 12 passenger van to cruise around the island,

get pulled over twice and realize that it is a total cop magnet.

5. Visit Chichen Itza. It is spectacular and HOT.

Cool off by swimming in a cenote, then forget everything you know about style, trading it instead for COMFORT!

4. Ride a ferry to Isla Mujeres. Rent a golf cart and have a blast cruising around the island.

3. Eat the freshest and tastiest fish tacos you have ever tastiest at Playa Lancheros. Enjoy the incredible view.

2. Go snorkeling and for the first time ever actual see fish!

1. Have a blast at Xplor zip lining, swimming in an underground river, driving amphibious vehicles through caves and the jungle, and paddling on rafts.

Thanks Ron and Susan for a wonderful trip! And a HUGE thank you to my mom and dad for coming to stay with the kiddos!

Graduation Celebration!

Colby graduated from Des Moines University on May 29th as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and with a Masters of Health care Administration. It was such an exciting and emotional day for all of us. The past four years have been filled with happiness and sadness, excitement and dread, trials and blessings, a lot of hard times and a lot of great times. Was it hard? Yes. Was it worth it. You bet. I am so proud of Colby and all of his hard work and and the sacrifices he made to get to where we are today. I feel so blessed to be married to such a wonderful person. Congratulations Dr.Frost!

We started out the celebrating by attending a picnic at Des Moines University for all of the graduates and their families. It was great to visit with old friends, enjoy the live music and the great food.

The school.

It was so fun to see my friend Celeste who has been living in Michigan for the past two years.

We were so glad that Grandma and Grandpa Frost could enjoy the picnic (and the HOT sun) with us.

The boys were so excited to see their buddies.

Disclaimer: Ammon is going through a "tuck in my shirt and comb my own hair" phase. Colby and I are not encouraging this new fashion statement!

The celebration continued at the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery's graduation banquet.

It has been so nice to have other "wives" who can relate.

Shauni, Megan, Aunna, Becca

Our friends the Campbell's.

We are so grateful for our supportive parents.

Colby and his "study buddies." Colby, Jason, Phil and Ben.

Then, there was the actual (three 1/2 hour long) graduation ceremony. Colby walked out as

"Doctor Frost" (I think the smile speaks for itself).

Jason and Colby.

Phil and Colby.

Our little family.

I have to give props to these two for making it through school with the "help" of all these crazy kids. Father's of the year.

If there are any doubts about the legitimacy of the cap and gown, here's the proof.

Once again, I am so proud of Colby- or should I say Dr.Frost? Congratulations babe!