WOW, what a great weekend it was.  We had the opportunity to participate in the MS MUD Run.  It was really something cool, not only because it raised money for Multiple Sclerosis, but it was fun and made people aware of what Multiple Sclerosis actually is.  This event was held at the Miller Motor Sports Park.  Joe, my husband and our new neighbors ran the mud race; a 10K with several obstacles along the 6mile course.  They definitely got MUDDY! There were log walks, (over mud) and rope swings, mine fields that they had to crawl under fences, tunnels, cargo nets, over and under's and some surprise mud pits. 


I volunteered to help with the racers, and had a great time watching, helping as well as getting to know some people who had MS as well; and some new faces including Bob Harmon who helped sponsor the event.  He is one of the owner's of Harmon's Grocery Stores in Utah. 

What was so interesting to me was that the mud run was actually introduced as a way to familiarize MS to those people participating; and what it actually feels like to those of us who live with it.  The obstacle course was set up to represent the many challenges and obstacles those of us who have MS face daily.   The mud, was to represent the struggle it is for us to walk just like we often feel; something like walking in mud or wet cement. Our legs get heavy, weak and feel like they are weighed down, making it very difficult to move.  The race to the finish was to represent the push we have to move forward, to constantly overcome our challenges and to make it through another day, another week, another year etc.  I was very impressed with the analogy of the event. 

The next day my husband, son and myself went hiking again.  We hiked to a beautiful lake called Lake Mary.  It is located above the ski resorts; a hidden lake that was well worth the climb.  The elevation is about 9600 ft.  And other than the pesky mosquito's that were up there, the serene lake reflection of the surrounding scenery was spectacular.  I've included pictures of both to show how great the mud run turned out as well as the reward I got from trudging up the mountain side as difficult as it is.  MS is something I have....but MS definitely does NOT have me!  :)

Just getting there. I volunteered, my hubby ran it.

Getting ready for the shotgun start

On your mark, get set....GO!

And they were off.  The first wave of runners; which Joe ran in.

Coming in for the finish...a little dirty...

We did it...He ran, I helped; and it was all for MS. 

As time goes by and we find we are always busy and life doesn't slow down  I realized that I  better take my own advice that I blogged about last time.  Enjoying the time and life we have.  So, with that I took a challenge that my husband presented to me; to try to hike to the peak of a mountain top.  "Yeah Right, Uh I have MS" I'm thinking...then I actually thought...."why not"?  

So the next weekend, we got up early and invited our son the avid hiker to join us as we attempted to climb to the top of Grandeur Peak.  I know it isn't MT. EVEREST or anything, but to me it was.  I was nervous to try it, but then I thought if I do this I can put that on my list of things that I thought I would never do and did! 

Six thirty in the morning we are rolling down the street to pick up our son.  We drive out to the Canyon and park a half mile away from the trail head parking because it isn't open yet to park.  With that little bit more added to my 'hike' I was even more concerned because by the time we made it to the actual trail head I was ready to call it a day.  Never less, we kept going.  I was like a little kid... "How much longer til we get there"?  And, my husband and son were very patient with me as I had to stop along the way to catch my breath.  Rest my legs and just take in some Kodak moments. 

I asked my son how long it  usually took him to scale this peak.  And, then the depressing answer came.  "Well, I usually do it in 1 1/2 to 2 hrs up and 1 hr down".  WHAT?  We weren't even half way and it had been almost 2 hrs.  I was really slowing him down obviously.  But, we kept going.  Eventually, we were at the base of the last climb.  One that you had to do on your hands and feet, mind you because of the rocky terrain.  We kept climbing and it was then I was determined to make it if I had to crawl the rest of the way. 

When we reached the peak, I must say the view was breathtaking.  We could see the whole SLC valley and farther.  We could see a close up of MT. OLYMPUS and a panoramic view of Park City Summit, the SLC Valley and the up close mountain ranges on the other side.  WOW.  We stayed there for about 40 minutes just enjoying the view and serenity, and I was thinking the descend would be a piece of cake compared.  HA.  Was I wrong.  I think it was about the same in effort actually.  I was hot, tired and very thirsty since we had just depleted our water as we didn't plan enough to bring and realized that too late.  So, we kept it up one step at a time.  Our son had to get to work, so he headed on ahead of us and had a ride come get him. We thought we'd be down before too long too, but NOPE.... it took over 2 1/2 hrs to go down.  We had spent almost 6 1/2 hrs hiking round trip to the top of this mountain.  The last 1 mile down  I lost use of my legs.  MS strikes again.  I luckily had some trekking poles that our son lent me or I would not have made it off that mountain.  The last mile I was walking on legs that I could not feel.  The feet were numb, the legs extremely heavy and uncooperative.  I was mad now.  I wanted to say I did this, and now my legs poop out?! 

But, I kept going, slowly; but going.  I used those poles to bear my weight like crutches and kept thinking that I am almost done....then another long trail around the bend...sigh.  We kept going and eventually Joe my husband left me close to the trail head to run down and get the car since now he could drive up to the parking lot.  I got down and when I saw the parking lot I literally slumped down and just sat on the asphalt and waited for my ride home.  I felt defeated, tired and weak.  But, guess what?   I DID IT!!  I actually climbed a mountain.  I have MS and I climbed a mountain and I didn't give up!  It was then I realized that even though it was extremely hard, and seemed impossible I did not give up and I tried it even though I deep down didn't think I'd make it.  And by trying I can now check off, "Climb a Mountain" off my bucket list. :)

The sunrise as we are driving to the canyon to begin the hike

Just getting started. My husband Joe, and our goofy son Cory (he can't take a pic w/o making a face!)

Up we go,  and I am finding out steep it really is getting

But, OH MY GOSH...the views!

Green, and serene

Getting further up and now you can see the tops of the adjacent MT

This is taken from the last break before the big climb to the top

Cory and Joe waiting on me....sigh

YES, almost there they told me~

WE MADE IT!  Can you believe how small the valley is?

Me (Stephanie) elated to make it all the way up and still be able to stand.

Oh yeah baby......I rock, I did it! I have MS and I did it!

Another view before we decide to go back down the way we came up...
YIKES

Hot, and tired.  Shed my over shirt even, but I was sure happy I had trek poles

Getting close to the trail head but moving OH SO SLOW.  MY legs were toast by now

Using the poles to move me literally. Thanks Cory for letting me borrow these.
I coudn't of done it without them.