So Ragnar. Yeah. Given that we had the team party last night, I figured it was about time to type up some thoughts on a crazy 27.5 hours of racing amongst 12 people covering 190 miles.
The basic deal with Ragnar is that 95% of the teams are comprised of 12 runners and you are assigned a set of legs that you cannot swap with another member. So as runner #11, I had legs 11, 23 and 35 with varying difficulties. What is cool about Ragnar is that they organize some of the legs so that a newer run
ner can have an easier set of runs to complete and still feel like they are an integral part of the team.
The basic deal with Ragnar is that 95% of the teams are comprised of 12 runners and you are assigned a set of legs that you cannot swap with another member. So as runner #11, I had legs 11, 23 and 35 with varying difficulties. What is cool about Ragnar is that they organize some of the legs so that a newer run
ner can have an easier set of runs to complete and still feel like they are an integral part of the team.
I was nervous about Ragnar as we were getting closer. I had the stomach thing that forced me to back out of the Seattle Rock 'n Roll less than a month earlier, and it's safe to say that I wasn't 100% when the van left Seattle back on July 22nd. I probably packed more drugs than I did clothes, which really didn't make me happy since we didn't have a ton of room in the van.
I hadn't spent a ton of time in the areas where the race was (started in Blaine, WA and ended on Whidbey Island in Langley, WA), so I was excited to hopefully see some new and interesting things. Since our van was the 2nd one of our team, we were able to get off to a later start and didn't have to be up at the crack of dawn on race day.
We met up in Seattle and made plans to meet at the 1st van hand-off point in Bellingham, WA. Had no issues except for the fact that van #1 was on track to finish over an hour ahead of schedule so that put our 1st runner in a bind since he had just eaten. Fortunately, Emmett, who also had the toughest set of legs in our van, got through his leg and we were off.
It was amazing that teams missed hand-offs and a runner would be stranded waiting after they worked so hard to complete their leg, but I am told that this happens more often than you would think. It was still odd to me. Anyway, our runners continue to power through and then it was my turn. I was NERVOUS!
Everyone was running really well and you didn't want to be the one to let the side down. It's a completely different mindset than when you race on your own. I got a break when van #1 of our team showed up around the time my leg started, so I had some extra cheers as I climbed up a long and steady hill. I ran hard, passed a bunch of people and then had a bit of time to cool down after my run.
On my run, it was warm and sunny, but I also got to see some pretty countryside in Skagit County (home of some amazing tulips and other produce). It helped pass the time. That was the other thing, I thought we would have a lot more down time than we actually did. You spend a fair amount of time keeping tabs on your current runner, driving to the next hand-off, eating, etc. And sometime in there, you try and sleep. Uh-huh.
Our van finished at around 5:30pm and we made the very smart call to head to La Conner to grab dinner before getting situated to rest. By the time we left the restaurant, there were about 50 other teams looking for places to eat. And then before we knew it, it was our turn to run!
Since we were running at night, certain rules go into effect and they are non-negotiable. LED, blinking reflective vests, head lamps, etc. And there are good reasons for them. The roads aren't always well lit, and it's hard for people to see you. We only had one person get lost and fortunately we caught them very early.
Our runners continued to kill it, and then I was getting ready for my 2nd run! Of the 3 runs, this was the one that I was the most nervous about. It was going to be in the middle of the night so I didn't know how my body would react from a muscle and fueling perspective. Also I don't run in the middle of the night so there was a certain uneasiness for me. And finally, it was a very hilly leg with lots of steep up and downs. Ugh!
Michele came in and I was off. Just relax and get into a groove. Focus. The 1st mile was pretty decently lit. And then, it was pitch black. Unpaved and no one around. Lovely. I did see a police officer keeping watch on the course, but it was really hard to see. Plus I would hear rustling in the trees along the road and that would elevate my heart rate. My mates were trying to stay along side of me but they couldn't block the road and couldn't tell if there was a shoulder or a ditch along the side of the road.
I reached the final climb and I was working as hard as I have ever run in a race. I slapped the wrist on to Sam and yelled something along the lines of "mother****er". I was cold, thirsty and definitely stressed out. I had never really run when I was so uncomfortable and the fact that it was done was a huge emotional boost for me. My stomach was ok, and the team was doing well. I was a bit bummed that I came in a minute over my projected time, but mostly, I was also so relieved to be done with that leg.
We headed to Coupeville to "sleep". Some people showered. Some folks slept on a gym floor. I slept in the van. I was definitely hitting the delirious stage when we had to get everyone up for the last set of legs. My last leg was my easiest of my 3 runs, so I was happy about that. I decided that I would know in the 1st 1/2 mile whether the run was going to go well or not. 'Well' was defined as running my leg in under 30 minutes.
It was definitely starting to get warm, and we got to watch a gorgeous sunrise on the coast as Emmett took off. Good for him. Crappiest legs of our van and he gets to run in awesomeness. Times like that are why you run. Jennie goes, then Amanda, then Michele and then again, I'm ready to go.
Amanda was kind enough to offer me an extra tank top since I already used mine for my run the previous day. It, uh, kind of clashed with my compression socks, but hey - it was about the fun! So I start the run and I push fairly hard to see how the legs respond in the 1st mile. They're moving, but I need to pick things up to meet my goal.
I start to see people on the course, but for another mile, I can't gain any other ground. It's hot with no shade and I am getting legitimately pissed off that I am not catching these people. WTH! Finally I yell some expletive at myself along with some other choice words about fighting through this phase, and the pace picks up by a few pips. Before I know it, I pass 4 people! Come on, Beck!
But then I knew it was going to be close for the sub 30 minute run. I just kept pushing and pushing. I saw the final turn sign, and don't see Sam in the transition spot but across the street. I yell to Sam and just hand off the bracelet. I was done in 29:17! Woo woo! Now to rehydrate and watch Sam finish, which he did and we all got to cross the finish line with him - all 12 of us!
To say that doing this gave me a boatload of confidence for my full in NYC is an understatement! Not to mention the amount of fun I had, especially given the lack of sleep. My 11 other teammates were great and the only bummer was that we couldn't spend more time with the 6 gals in van #1. But when captain Lissa asked us at the finish if we would do it again, without any hesitation, all 12 sets of hands went in and said "YES!"