Day 13: Gunnison, UT, to Salt Lake City, UT (Friday, June 27)
Distance traveled: 126 miles
Personal running distance today: 10 miles
Total personal miles to-date: 93 miles
Today's dedications: James Hilson and John Niedling
My running buddy: Patty
Weather: Sunny, 60s/70s
We started the morning after packing up our van with a dedication circle, joined by one of the firefighters who hosted us in Gunnison. It was great to have him join us, especially since they had provided us such a phenomenal dinner the night before and were so hospitable during our entire stay in the small town of Gunnison.
I was in Team 2 today, and finally the weather was nice enough that we could go back to the real way of 4King, which is having Team 2 drive to the halfway point and start there and run in to the host. So, we drove a little over an hour to the middle of nowhere in central Utah, near a large cow farm, then started from there.
Ever since I woke up this morning, my hip had been searing with pain. I’ve had problems with my hip flexors before; they often get strained from overuse and it’s hard to get rid of the pain unless I quit running all together. I did physical therapy once to help out a more major incident with my hip flexor, but I haven’t had too much trouble since then. So, it was really frustrating to be hurting so much today.
I was paired with Patty today, one of the leg leaders from leg 1 whom I adore. Luckily, she was having some shin pains, so we were a great pair to take an easy, slower pace. In fact, we actually walked a lot of our miles today because my hip was in so much pain. However, we were able to run a few miles, and we even ran in front of our 4K team’s FAVORITE STORE EVER: Walmart.
Distance traveled: 126 miles
Personal running distance today: 10 miles
Total personal miles to-date: 93 miles
Today's dedications: James Hilson and John Niedling
My running buddy: Patty
Weather: Sunny, 60s/70s
We started the morning after packing up our van with a dedication circle, joined by one of the firefighters who hosted us in Gunnison. It was great to have him join us, especially since they had provided us such a phenomenal dinner the night before and were so hospitable during our entire stay in the small town of Gunnison.
I was in Team 2 today, and finally the weather was nice enough that we could go back to the real way of 4King, which is having Team 2 drive to the halfway point and start there and run in to the host. So, we drove a little over an hour to the middle of nowhere in central Utah, near a large cow farm, then started from there.
Ever since I woke up this morning, my hip had been searing with pain. I’ve had problems with my hip flexors before; they often get strained from overuse and it’s hard to get rid of the pain unless I quit running all together. I did physical therapy once to help out a more major incident with my hip flexor, but I haven’t had too much trouble since then. So, it was really frustrating to be hurting so much today.
I was paired with Patty today, one of the leg leaders from leg 1 whom I adore. Luckily, she was having some shin pains, so we were a great pair to take an easy, slower pace. In fact, we actually walked a lot of our miles today because my hip was in so much pain. However, we were able to run a few miles, and we even ran in front of our 4K team’s FAVORITE STORE EVER: Walmart.
The route we took today was awesome. For much of the time, we were running by Utah Lake. I SO wanted to go and hop in the lake quickly, but it wasn’t too hot out and a lot of the team didn’t seem to excited to get wet and then be in the cool weather. So, sadly, we passed it up, but it did look like a great place to spend a summer day. I was glad I was with Patty today, though. We had some good bonding, which is always appreciated when you’re constantly surrounded by 25 other people. Sometimes it’s just nice to be in a smaller group!
Team 2 actually finished our 10 miles apiece quite early; we had wrapped up by 11 or 11:30 a.m. We stopped for a Starbucks break, then drove the next 45 minutes to our host in Salt Lake City, which was the St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center on the University of Utah campus.
I was driving our van in to the city, and we hadn’t been there even 15 minutes before I’d decided I was in love with this place. Every part of the city has gorgeous mountain views because the city is surrounded by them. You’re never a far drive from excellent hiking, either, which is a major plus for me.
As we drove around the city more, they have everything. It’s a big city but doesn’t have a big city feel, which I really like. I also love the architecture of lots of the houses here, which is a rustic mountain look. When we arrived at our host on the campus, I also found the campus incredible. It’s pretty big, and from what I saw, is really good looking.
Since we arrived first, we were able to shower quickly, and then a group of us headed out to get some dinner donations around 3:45. We really lucked out at one of the coolest sandwich shops I’ve ever been to. If you live in Salt Lake City or are ever in the area, listen up:
Even Steven’s sandwich shop had been open for four days when we walked in. Their mission is for every sandwich sold in the shop, they provide one to a local nonprofit organization. Tonight when we walked in, the amazingly generous workers decided that they would donate half sandwiches for our entire team. The people were so kind and caring; I admired their altruistic spirit. They were just good people. This trip has reminded me of the goodness of humankind and how you can find wonderful people in the most remote places.
They gave us a bunch of free stickers, plus we followed them on Instagram (check them out at @evenstevenssandwiches). They even took a picture of us with some of their staff and posted it to their Instagram, so we’re basically famous. After this, we tried a couple more places and then headed back to the church.
I was especially excited to get back because Abby was waiting for me! Abby and I were on council for Kappa Delta when I was president, so I have too much love for her in my heart. She works in Salt Lake City now, and she came to pick me up for a perfect evening of dinner and seeing the sights.
First, we drove around to some of the prettier sights of Salt Lake. Since Mormonism is, you know, kind of a big deal here in Utah, she showed me some of the Latter-Day Saints places in town, including this gorgeous, palace-looking temple.
I was driving our van in to the city, and we hadn’t been there even 15 minutes before I’d decided I was in love with this place. Every part of the city has gorgeous mountain views because the city is surrounded by them. You’re never a far drive from excellent hiking, either, which is a major plus for me.
As we drove around the city more, they have everything. It’s a big city but doesn’t have a big city feel, which I really like. I also love the architecture of lots of the houses here, which is a rustic mountain look. When we arrived at our host on the campus, I also found the campus incredible. It’s pretty big, and from what I saw, is really good looking.
Since we arrived first, we were able to shower quickly, and then a group of us headed out to get some dinner donations around 3:45. We really lucked out at one of the coolest sandwich shops I’ve ever been to. If you live in Salt Lake City or are ever in the area, listen up:
Even Steven’s sandwich shop had been open for four days when we walked in. Their mission is for every sandwich sold in the shop, they provide one to a local nonprofit organization. Tonight when we walked in, the amazingly generous workers decided that they would donate half sandwiches for our entire team. The people were so kind and caring; I admired their altruistic spirit. They were just good people. This trip has reminded me of the goodness of humankind and how you can find wonderful people in the most remote places.
They gave us a bunch of free stickers, plus we followed them on Instagram (check them out at @evenstevenssandwiches). They even took a picture of us with some of their staff and posted it to their Instagram, so we’re basically famous. After this, we tried a couple more places and then headed back to the church.
I was especially excited to get back because Abby was waiting for me! Abby and I were on council for Kappa Delta when I was president, so I have too much love for her in my heart. She works in Salt Lake City now, and she came to pick me up for a perfect evening of dinner and seeing the sights.
First, we drove around to some of the prettier sights of Salt Lake. Since Mormonism is, you know, kind of a big deal here in Utah, she showed me some of the Latter-Day Saints places in town, including this gorgeous, palace-looking temple.
Then, we ate dinner at Squatter’s Brewery. I dominated a veggie burger and their yummy hefeweizen. Afterwards, Abby gave me a great driving tour of more of the great spots in Salt Lake. She’s just preparing me to move here, since I’ve decided that I could absolutely live and work here.
We decided that we had just enough time to make a quick trip up to Park City, Abby’s hometown and the location of the 2002 Winter Olympics. It was a quick 25-30 minute drive there through some beautiful mountain passes. I was so excited to see everything that the city has to offer, because I’m always jealous of Abby’s pictures from there. The town is adorable; it’s the quintessential ski town (since it’s basically the ski capital of the country), and the shops and architecture of everything is so rustic and awesome.
We grabbed some ice cream before heading back down to SLC. We took a quick spin around the University of Utah campus, even though it was dark by then, and it further solidified my desire to be there. Somehow, in the few hours my team was there, I have fallen in love with this cool place. I hope to be able to return soon and spend more time here...especially with Abby!
We decided that we had just enough time to make a quick trip up to Park City, Abby’s hometown and the location of the 2002 Winter Olympics. It was a quick 25-30 minute drive there through some beautiful mountain passes. I was so excited to see everything that the city has to offer, because I’m always jealous of Abby’s pictures from there. The town is adorable; it’s the quintessential ski town (since it’s basically the ski capital of the country), and the shops and architecture of everything is so rustic and awesome.
We grabbed some ice cream before heading back down to SLC. We took a quick spin around the University of Utah campus, even though it was dark by then, and it further solidified my desire to be there. Somehow, in the few hours my team was there, I have fallen in love with this cool place. I hope to be able to return soon and spend more time here...especially with Abby!
Tomorrow we are heading to Pocatello, Idaho, where we are actually staying in a residence hall for Idaho State University. Of course, being the student affairs grad student that I am, I have loved getting to see several college campuses along the trip. I’ve heard good things about the city of Pocatello, so I’m looking forward to it.
However, we are each supposed to conquer 14 miles tomorrow, which will be our furthest distance to run in one day so far on the trip. Considering the immense pain in my hip, this is going to be a huge challenge. I’m definitely going to take it easy, walking when I need to, because I want to make sure I stay healthy enough to make it to day 42. I’m paired up with Leanne and Mo tomorrow, which will be great because Mo’s also injured and can’t go too quickly, so I think we’ll all have a lot of fun together.
For now, I need to get some rest. We get to sleep in all the way until 5:30 a.m., which is our latest wake-up yet! What a treat!
Run happy,
Natalie
However, we are each supposed to conquer 14 miles tomorrow, which will be our furthest distance to run in one day so far on the trip. Considering the immense pain in my hip, this is going to be a huge challenge. I’m definitely going to take it easy, walking when I need to, because I want to make sure I stay healthy enough to make it to day 42. I’m paired up with Leanne and Mo tomorrow, which will be great because Mo’s also injured and can’t go too quickly, so I think we’ll all have a lot of fun together.
For now, I need to get some rest. We get to sleep in all the way until 5:30 a.m., which is our latest wake-up yet! What a treat!
Run happy,
Natalie