So, my big adventure for this month was the Ragnar Relay Race! A bunch of people from church were doing it, one of which was the team captain. He heard that I run and asked me to be on his team. I was worried because I'm not a fast runner and I didn't want to slow the team down but it would be a huge accomplishment for me so I was willing to do it. I talked to Shawn (team captain) who said not to worry, it was all for fun so I signed up!
What is a Ragnar Relay Race you ask?? I stole this from the official Ragnar site:
PICTURE THIS: You and 11 of your closest friends running 200(ish) miles, day and night, relay-style, through some of the most scenic terrain North America could muster. Add in crazy runners, inside jokes and a mild case of sleep deprivation. The result? Some call it a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant. We call it a Ragnar Relay.
It's really quite simple. Get a bunch of friends together (or we can help you find team members who'll quickly become your friends) and start running. Okay, there's a little more to it. Your relay team will consist of 12 members (or 6 for Ultra teams). During the relay, each team member runs three legs, each leg ranging between 3 - 9 miles and varying in difficulty. So, from the elite runner down to the novice jogger, it's the perfect relay race for anyone.
How do you cover 200(ish) miles? Only one runner hits the road at a time. The rest of your teammates are on support duty in your race vehicles. Teams require 2 vehicles, with runners 1-6 in van 1 and 7 -12 in van 2. Van 1's runners will cover the first six legs. It's a relay, so as the each runner begins, the crew in the vehicle can drive ahead, cheer their runner on, and meet them at the exchange point to pick them up and drop off the next runner. After the first 6 legs, van 2 picks up the slack and starts putting in the miles. A day, night and day later, you'll have made it all the way from start to finish!
So, that is what I signed up for! The day of the race came and I was excited and nervous! I was in van #1 and was runner #6 so once I finished my leg, the next van would take over. I knew everyone would be waiting on me, and I was the slowest on my team, so I hoped they'd all be patient (they were!). :)
We forgot to get a picture with everyone from van #1 together! This was the closest to it we got. This is everyone from our Van except Tamara (who was running) and our team Captain who was in van #2.
Shawn (Captain), Shonee, Mike, me, Renee and Kirsten
We got this one later with Tamara and our driver in it.
Mike (with his daughter), Eric, Tamara, Shonee, Kirsten and me
The whole week before was nice and cool but when Friday hit, it was HOT! I was not ready for that! I heard that during my leg it was nearing the 100's!! Yikes! I sure felt it! I didn't bring water with me because it was only 2.7 miles and I do at least that every day... no biggy right? With the added heat I was more parched than I've been in my life and it made that the LONGEST run of my life! :) I barely made it. Here I am ready to go...
Van #2 took over then and got the worst of the heat. It was over 100 by then and must have been horrible!!
While we were resting between runs, someone told us that there were some last minute changes to some of the routes. One of them was mine. They switched my 5.3 to a 7 mile! I think I almost had a panic attack! :) I'd have been better off not knowing.
Geoff drove out that night to run it with me. We had already decided to do that since it would be at night and since I'd never done one before it made us both feel like I'd be safer. I guess we didn't realize that there are always other runners close by. It was so fun to run that with him though!! The weather was wonderfully cool and at the end we were both like "that was 7 miles?? It felt like 3!" So, it ended up being just fine. I wish I had thought to take a picture of us in our night gear. We had reflective vests on with headlamps and butt lamps (required for safety). I'm sure we looked awesome!!
I guess "The Biggest Loser" had a van too! We never saw the people from the show running but we did see the van so I got a picture with it. I know... I'm so cool!
Once I finished my run it was time for Van #2 to take over again which meant rest time for Van #1. We got to sleep for about 3 hours before it was our turn to take over again.
For my last run, it was hot again. I had a HUGE hill but other than that it wasn't too bad, except that I was already sore from the other 2 runs. I brought water with me this time (I'm a quick learner. haha) so I was hydrated. Here I am ready to go (we all got fake Ragnar tattoos)...
At this point we were in the San Diego area so this was my view for part of my run (taken with my iphone)...
Geoff had taken over for our driver who had to leave Saturday morning so he was waiting for me when I was done, with the rest of the team. He took a few pictures. Here I am running in ready to hand off the relay bracelet to Shawn...
Shawn yelled the name of our team and then took off. I love this picture! He was so enthusiastic and encouraging the whole time! It was great!!
Here's a picture of Geoff and I by the ocean. My last run ended by a cliff that dropped off to the beach. It was beautiful!
A few hours later the whole team was together except our last runner. Once he ran in we all joined him to run the last few feet to the finish (you finish as a team). 2 people from my van had gone home when the other driver left so we didn't have all 12 there (sad!) but we got some with all who were there.
Waiting for our last runner. Go team!
Crossing the finish line together:
Cheering!!
Go Van #2!!!
Brett, Brandon, Drew, Royce, Kim and Shawn
The Ragnar Medal!
Our team with our medals
Me with my medal
I did it!!
It was the craziest thing I've ever done! It was so fun though and a huge accomplishment for me!! Will I do it again??? Heck YES!!
