Ragnar Van 1 Highlights

I know you have all been on pins and needles waiting to hear about the Ragnar Race!! So here goes...

I was in Van 1 we started the race at Utah state University's track.  My first run was 6.7 miles, or 7,  give or take 3 tenths of a mile! I was so excited and nervous to get running I forgot the sunscreen! Ouch! I felt pretty good about my first run.  I wasn't expecting any hills and thought, by the description, it would gradually climb.  It climbed all at once.  I looked ahead and saw a lady I was trying to keep in my sights and she was walking the hill so I decided I would do the same.  Turns out it was a good idea because I was able to run the last two miles and felt good.


My next run was at night.  We all had to wear reflective vests, a head lamp, and butt lights.  I really don't like running in the dark, my imagination gets to me.  It didn't help that some guy made a googling sound as I ran by, and now that I think about it there were no street lights either! But a fun 3 mile run anyway.  After our van ran this section I was tired and couldn't keep my eyes open.  I fell asleep in the car and stayed there until the sun came up the next day.  Well, I think my arm was in some crazy position so the blood ran out of it and that is what actually woke me up! Oh, ya and the dream I had about not wanting to run my third leg! I must have been tired.   Then I got out of the van and went to cheer on my sister as she came in.  It was good to see her at 6am finish with a good 10 miler!!

My last run I didn't fair as well.  At one of the major exchanges, I think Snow Basin, they had a PT' van.  So I went and told them my problem and she rolled out my IT Band.  Felt good.  She, the PT, told me at another major exchange she would also be there and just come and get the foam roller.  So I did and I rolled my IT Band just before my last leg.  I felt pretty good and thought I was ready to run my last race! Mentally I was excited.  This was it!  I was done and I did it! Except when I started running those silly IT bands felt like they were bruised which made it really hard to run.  I did make it to the end, obviously, but no records were broken on this leg! I made it and then I soaked my feet off of a bridge in some very cold water.  Felt nice.

The Ragnar Wasatch Back was a great relay race to be in.  The scenery was beautiful, the course challenging, and the team I was on was THE BEST!  Great people who always cheered me, and others on.  They were all laid back and didn't expect more than what you could do.  The team you are on really makes a difference with this type of race.  Not one of us said we wouldn't do it again.  I think we all said next time...  My next time I will be a stronger, faster runner (I think that is my vow at every race!).   It was encouraging to me to see the strength and determination of the athletes I was running with.  One runner, in van 2, wouldn't let someone take his place during his last leg even though he was in a lot of pain because he wanted to finish his leg.  The 12 leg on our team was someone who had the hardest course.  His legs were long and had hills (and when I say hills it's more like mountain passes) galore!  He was always positive and finished strong.  Thanks team, "A Bad Case of the Runs!"  I had a great time.

Maybe if we all chant loud enough we can get my sister to tell us ALL the details of Van 2?  Let's hear it! Van 2, Van 2, Van 2!

Me & my teammates before the race. 

Our logo on the van. I like the dirt sticking to it!

All of us running to the finish line.

I love this picture. We were posing for a team picture but were handed our badges of honor and our medals. The badges are decals for your car you only get when crossing the finish line. 

 And yes, I earned it. It's on my car! 

Team photo at the end of the race.  We look pretty good even if some of us didn't get a shower!