Miles, Meals & MREs

So, this past weekend was the big Hidden Peak Challenge. This is the event Big-D has been training for...all other races leading up to this one. What exactly is it? According to the event description, it's

"An exhilarating run that begins at the Snowbird Plaza, onto Ski School, over to Dick Bass Highway, under the Wilber Chair Lift, keep going up the cat track where we find our selves at the top of the Wilber Chair Lift, traverse the mountain, go under the Tram and on to the switch backs...4 miles and 3000 vertical foot climb. That’s a good work out for a Saturday morning."

Exhilarating? Good Work Out? Yeah probably. I knew he would do well. I wasn't worried. In fact I was a little excited for him. I was even a little nervous for him. Apparently the air was thinner than normal, even for 11,000 ft elevation. It seemed that even the first place runners and bikers took longer than before. But, my Big-D still did good. He came in 11th overall, and 5th in his age group. And he shaved off a little bit of his time from the last time he did it. Afterwards we were both exhausted. Hey! I know I didn't race...but I did have to get up early to get over to his house and drive up there with him. Geesh! Being supportive takes its toll too, y'know.

Well, it just so happened that the race was also going on during Snowbirds Oktoberfest.
We were so hungry, we figured that there had to be some good food somewhere, especially with the festival going on. Well, we found some Brats, and needless to say, we didn't have to go to GermanTown to get them. They really hit the spot. Our tummies were full, our bodies were tired, and on the way home, I started to get a throbbing headache. We figured it may be from the sudden change in altitude - a little altitude sickness. The rest of the day we pretty much lounged around and did nothing - which was also very much needed, let me just say. I haven't had a day of nothing of a very long time. It sort of felt good to just veg. I think there may have been a football game on or something. I really don't remember as I spent most of the afternoon passed out on the sofa - haha!

Anyway, fast forward. It's 8:30pm. We're hungry - no - starved! We can't decide what to eat. Too lazy to go to the store, yet he says he doesn't really have anything to cook (bachelor life). We ponder going out to eat, but I'm not dressed for that, and my hair looks horrid after napping on it all day. Don't really feel like going home to "get ready to go out". He suggests one of his MRE's, to which I respond, "What are we - in crisis?" I scour the fridge, freezer and cupboards and find frozen chicken breasts, butter, dry ranch dressing mix, and potato pearls. "We're having Ranch Chicken," I declare. He sort of fusses, like it might take too long. He retrieves his MRE, while I begin to defrost the chicken in the microwave. He decides he wants his MRE "warmed up" and puts it in the proper MRE "warming pouch". Funny thing is, both of our meals are "done" at the same time. hahahahaha. Click Here for my Ranch Chicken Recipe.

So the food was good, and yes, I DID share.