Back in October I was asked if I was interested in doing Ragnar Relay. Because some of my favorite people in the world were doing it, and I liked running (Right?) I signed up. So what is the Ragnar Relay?
Teams of 12 run 204 miles, from Prescott to Mesa each running 3 legs. I was assigned to be runner #11. I looked it up at ragnarrelay.com and these were what my legs were supposed to be like. Crazy!
Leg 11: 8.5 miles, Very Hard
Leg 23: 6.4 miles, Hard
Leg 35: 3.5 miles, Easy
So came long months of getting ready; long runs, multiple runs in a day, group runs up Sabino Canyon and eating all the time because I was always hungry from running so much! Then On Thursday February 25 we carpooled found our way to Prescott, coming from Utah, Tucson and other parts of Arizona. Once there we spit into groups were we stayed at a few locations, some at friends houses, me and a large group stayed at the home of a singles ward bishop. They were SO nice, and totally opened their home to us. In fact throughout this whole experience I would say that meeting so many people willing to open their homes to us, feed us and drive us was the best part!
Friday the 26th we woke up, ate fruit and bagels provided for us, and got ready to go! We found the park where the starting line was at and started to meet all of the people for the three teams that we were connected to.
Team pictures were a must before the race!
My team! (plus a few drivers and passengers(cheerleaders!))
So our group starts running and all is better than expected and we are ahead of schedule - so much so that when we get to my exchange I am just getting out of the van and heading to the bathroom (port-a-potties where we spent a lot of our time - because if we weren't eating we were drinking!) I was putting on my gear (I was the first of the runners required to run with a reflective vest, a head lamp and a blinker because of my starting time), when I heard #230 called! My team number! Kurt - my team captain - was throwing things on me and pushing me to the start, I said I had to go to the bathroom and he said, "You don't get to!" So that is how my first run started! Late to the exchange, needing to use the restroom and finishing and retying as I went. But because it was dusk (my favorite time to run), on a dirt road in the countryside, with beautiful weather it ended up being my favorite run! It went quickly and I think I surprised people with how well I did. I didn't have time to start my clock, so I don't know how quickly I did my 8.5 miles, but I'm sure it was just over an hour, which is really good for me!
So after my first run it was officially night, and after Lindsey ran her leg, we were all finished with our first legs. We headed over to Kurt's brother's house, where we were fed yummy whole wheat pancakes and given floor space to sleep. And sleep we did all the way from 9:30/10 pm to about 11:30 pm. When we were called because our team was doing so well they were ahead of schedule! So we left, got to the exchange and started all over again. This time we only got two runners out before there was a problem. Kurt had just started his second run when cops came flying through the Carefree highway. We got word that a runner had been hit and that we had to stay where we were. They stopped all runners after that and all vans. Well we couldn't! Kurt was already through, Greg tried to explain to the volunteer, but he wouldn't listen, finally he told us that we would get a ticket if we went - so we did (go but not get a ticket!). Over 7 miles ahead we got to the line of cars and soon the runners came walking back. They had been stopped as well because the person hit was airlifted out so everything had stopped! It was cold, dark and confusing. Most people ran without warm clothing, so after they ran seven miles and were sweating, they were wet and cold when they stopped. Some runners had run past the stopping point but their vans had not. Some vans had been ahead of their runner, so they were past the point and the runners weren't (vans can't pace -or drive slowly along side their runner- they use a leapfrog system going ahead of them a few miles and waiting for the runner to make sure they are ok and to give them water, then passing the runner again). Kurt found us - we were lucky - some runners and vans like I said were split, runners were just getting in random vans. We finally got a semi-official word that the race had stopped and would have a restart at exchange #24. So #'s 9-12 (including me #11) lost our middle leg completely. Well, we called our other van, who got a lot less sleep because we had four less runners, and met them at exchange #24. At this point I got another 45 minute nap as Kurt and Greg drove through the night. We got to the new starting point, where Jessica got everyone new start times (5:50 am). Lindsey, Greg and I were all a little bumbed over losing our middle leg, once a few of our other team members heard this they so graciously offered their legs up for us. So Greg and I split run #25 and 8.7 mile/vary hard run and Lindsey got run #30.
So after my first run it was officially night, and after Lindsey ran her leg, we were all finished with our first legs. We headed over to Kurt's brother's house, where we were fed yummy whole wheat pancakes and given floor space to sleep. And sleep we did all the way from 9:30/10 pm to about 11:30 pm. When we were called because our team was doing so well they were ahead of schedule! So we left, got to the exchange and started all over again. This time we only got two runners out before there was a problem. Kurt had just started his second run when cops came flying through the Carefree highway. We got word that a runner had been hit and that we had to stay where we were. They stopped all runners after that and all vans. Well we couldn't! Kurt was already through, Greg tried to explain to the volunteer, but he wouldn't listen, finally he told us that we would get a ticket if we went - so we did (go but not get a ticket!). Over 7 miles ahead we got to the line of cars and soon the runners came walking back. They had been stopped as well because the person hit was airlifted out so everything had stopped! It was cold, dark and confusing. Most people ran without warm clothing, so after they ran seven miles and were sweating, they were wet and cold when they stopped. Some runners had run past the stopping point but their vans had not. Some vans had been ahead of their runner, so they were past the point and the runners weren't (vans can't pace -or drive slowly along side their runner- they use a leapfrog system going ahead of them a few miles and waiting for the runner to make sure they are ok and to give them water, then passing the runner again). Kurt found us - we were lucky - some runners and vans like I said were split, runners were just getting in random vans. We finally got a semi-official word that the race had stopped and would have a restart at exchange #24. So #'s 9-12 (including me #11) lost our middle leg completely. Well, we called our other van, who got a lot less sleep because we had four less runners, and met them at exchange #24. At this point I got another 45 minute nap as Kurt and Greg drove through the night. We got to the new starting point, where Jessica got everyone new start times (5:50 am). Lindsey, Greg and I were all a little bumbed over losing our middle leg, once a few of our other team members heard this they so graciously offered their legs up for us. So Greg and I split run #25 and 8.7 mile/vary hard run and Lindsey got run #30.
My run was the first 4.5 miles (the easy part).
After Lindsey finished her second run, we went to Kurt's roommate's parent's house in Cave Creek, where a few people napped, most of us just rested and talked. But most importantly, Kyle's parents made the most delicious/healthy peanut butter muffins (I got the recipe!).
After that short break we headed out again for the last time! We each ran our last run- let me tell you- it was the hardest, even though it was the shortest. I was tired but still tried hard - this team running thing makes you think about the other people in your group - the ones you see run their hardest so that everyone in the team won't be disappointed - it makes you want to try harder too.
As Lindsey ran into the finish line, we made a tunnel for her to run through, then we all ran in behind her! It was all done! But I loved it!
After the race, when the other two teams came in (yes they were both behind us) we got our medals and a picture! Then we were given a picnic lunch provided by Noah's family. Then slowly we made our way back to Tucson in small groups. Deanna and I showered at her house got into the most comfortable clothes we could find, then drove to Subway for a salad and McDonald's for a milk shake! The only things that sounded good after so much eating and running. We ate while watching the first bit of a movie, then we both went to bed before 9:30! I don't think I could have stayed up later if I tried!
After the race, when the other two teams came in (yes they were both behind us) we got our medals and a picture! Then we were given a picnic lunch provided by Noah's family. Then slowly we made our way back to Tucson in small groups. Deanna and I showered at her house got into the most comfortable clothes we could find, then drove to Subway for a salad and McDonald's for a milk shake! The only things that sounded good after so much eating and running. We ate while watching the first bit of a movie, then we both went to bed before 9:30! I don't think I could have stayed up later if I tried!
All I have to say is Ragnar Vegas? Here we come!
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