Ragnar 2013, Baby!

Where to start –

Ok, so as you know we’ve been working up to this weekend for months.  Years ago I dreamed of being part of a Ragnar team that made it to the starting line successfully.  It’s a tough commitment – and many have bailed in years past.  The names on the list of team members changed a couple of times since then, but those who made it to Friday morning – well, they are 12 of the most awesome people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

What is Ragnar?  (shocked expression) – well, it’s a 202 mile relay with 12 runners.   We run all day and all night, and then we cross the finish line and drink beer!

On Thursday night, Matt, Layne, Brian, Aaron, Josh and I piled into a Suburban passenger vehicle to drive up to Wickenburg for a 7am start.  Jacqui (and wife of Aaron) was our designated pregnant person driver.  The second ½ of the team wouldn’t be starting until we hit the 6th Exchange point – so they didn’t need to join us until Friday around noon.  

The starting line on Friday morning was COLD – near freezing temps, in fact.  We wandered around the starting area with Matt’s awesome brother, Chris, (trying not to freeze) while getting our safety briefing and ensuring we knew what to do for about an hour.  Chris was one of our volunteers – and really if there’s an award for most amazing family member/volunteers– he may get it.  He snapped photos; he made sure we had everything we needed; he carried our crap; and he did all of this before working a 6-8 hour volunteer shift at the starting line (after we left).
  

Brian, Matt and Me - at the dark starting area -- complete with safety vests and headlamps.

Layne, Matt and Me - in the warmer Ragnar swag tent before the start

Finally, the announcer called our team’s start time and Aaron lined up with about 20 other runners.  The sun was beginning to rise and it was gorgeous over the side of the mountain.  Aaron was ready – and we were all super anxious.  I think a few of us thought we were in over our heads, but at that point it was a smidge too late for all that.
 

Aaron at the ready - sun was rising, but lights and vest were still required

At the starting line!  Aaron is 2nd from the left looking at his watch.

The horn blew and off Aaron went for the first leg of our 36 leg journey.  I was runner #2, so I was up next and I thought I would vomit when we all slid back into the warm vehicle to support Aaron as he ran.  We leap frogged every couple of miles and waited for him to appear.  Then we shout and blow festive horns to show support as he ran.  His first run was so hilly – but he endured it well.

I tried to ready myself mentally for my start, but before I knew it there was a SHOUT out from the bottom of this wash – and wouldn’t you know it, I was late to meeting Aaron for our VERY first exchange!  What an embarrassment I was to our team and especially poor Aaron.

I got over my anxiety quickly, as a result, and ran like lightning for the next 5.5 miles.  Around mile 2, our vehicle appeared and everyone screamed in support.  It was amazing.  Then again just before mile 4, our vehicle appeared again and screamed and yelled in support.  I was passing runner after runner, and it wasn’t until I looked at my watch in the middle of the run that I realized I was running faster than I had ever run for that distance – right around 8 min miles.  So, when our vehicle appeared the last time, I yelled out exactly how much time I had before I hit the exchange.  And by Jove, Matt was there at the ready.  He was runner #3 and nothing made me happier than slapping our wrist-bracelet-baton on his wrist!  I glanced at my watch – 8:20 overall pace for 5.5 miles.

Matt looked super strong on his run, as well.  And fortunately, the day was getting warmer, so about 1/3 of the way through his 7+ miles, I went out to meet him and grab his cap and gloves.  Again, we leap frogged in support until he hit the Exchange and Brian headed out for his first of three legs.  Matt’s first leg was right around an 8 minute mile and he was ecstatic!

By now, Jacqui was driving the Suburban and our routine was down!  Layne followed Brian and then Josh was our 6th runner.  It was incredible.  I figured out that our 6 runners averaged a pace around 8:35/mile for our first 6 legs – totaling 38.8 miles.  We felt great!

We met up with our second ½ of the team at Exchange 6 where Anne would lead everyone out – and start their cycle of 6 runners.  Anne was ready!  She looked excited, as did everyone else.  In no time at all, we could see Josh coming around the bend and Anne was off to complete her first run.

Anne stole this sign from my house -- seemed appropriate for this race.  Taken right before she headed out.

At this point, Van 1 was entitled to some rest since Van 2 had 43.3 miles to complete.  We went to the 9th Exchange and pulled out our coolers and sleeping bags to try to eat and sleep until they arrived.  Anne texted me when she finished to tell me she did well and that Loretta was off and running.  Brent was runner 9 and he had the longest run of everyone – 13.5 miles.  It’s the longest Ragnar leg ever so they commemorated it by giving that runner an extra medal when they hit transition.

All of Vehicle 1: Mer, Matt, Josh1, Aaron, Jac, Layne and Brian

1st all team meet-up - waiting for Brent for finish (Exch 9)

Matt, attempting to sleep standing up.

BFF's

Unfortunately, a lack of running, tooth pain and a gnarly chest cold put Brent in a tough spot about 2/3’s of the way into his 13.5 miles (I later learned there was only 1 porta potty on his leg, so he also ran for 7 miles with a full, uncomfortable bladder).  By mile 11 he was texting that he was in a world of hurt and could only walk out the rest.  It was super sad to see and hear his text messages.  We all knew how upset he was as he approached the 9th exchange and collected his medal.  He sobbed in my arms as we hugged and I told him I would find a way to have his next two legs covered.

Brent, supported by Josh2, at the end of his first leg.

Kim headed out as soon as Brent arrived and was followed by Kris and Josh2.  Because of the injury to Brent, we didn’t get started on our van’s second runs until nearly 9pm – which put me on my second run WELL after my bed time.  But, none of us let it stop us.

Possibly my favorite race photo - Kim coming into Exchange with both feet in the air!

When Aaron approached the Exchange, I was there at the ready, this time.  And, I ran as hard as I could for 5.7 miles.  It was pitch black and there were almost no volunteers on this dark, turn-riddled route.  But, I had memorized the leg and remembered all of the necessary turns and bends.  I had told my teammates not to bother supporting me – it was too dark and dangerous to do so.  They were to meet me at the next exchange.

Around mile 3, I could hear a guy on my heels.  To be honest, I run fast enough that not many people pass me – and in Ragnar, a pass is called “a kill”.  Well, this guy (#290) worked and worked and worked for 2 miles to catch me.  At one point I snapped, “You may own this kill, but not without pain, my friend.”  And he eventually owned me on a ½ mile steep decent shortly before the Exchange.  We embraced at the end of the run, thanking each other for the work ethic.  It was awesome!  I will NEVER forget the challenge, even if the kill was not in my favor.  Again, it was another solid run – 5.7 miles, 8:53 pace.

By the time everyone in our van finished our legs it was nearly 2am and we were wrecked from lack of sleep.  Unfortunately, Josh was our last runner and gracious enough to offer to run Brent’s next leg – so it meant even less sleep for many of us.  Once Anne was off, we all went to a community center where there was indoor sleeping – several hundred runners deep.  It was a hardwood, gym floor, but it was heaven to most of us.  I have no idea how much I slept, but I think I might have gotten a solid hour in.  No idea.

I got the text from Anne at 4:47am saying Josh2 was off and we had 25 minutes to get all of our shit in our vehicle and to the 24th Exchange – approximately 15 miles away, in the dark with crappy GPS reception.  Yeah, we had to make Josh wait in transition for a few minutes before Aaron could get his crap together – including his bum leg – and get out on the road.

And, now I was stressed.  I hadn’t eaten in approximately 14 hours including my last run – it was simply too late to eat.  No bueno.  Matt shoved a PB Snickers down my throat and off I went for a 7.6 mile trek up hill.  It may have been the hardest run of my life even without the prior 2 legs – but I managed to hold it together for 6 miles before utterly feeling defeated and needing walk breaks.  There was a stoplight at mile 6 and it made us wait a solid minute or two, which was AWESOME!  But the next mile and a half were steep and brutal.  However, about 150 feet from the finish line was Ryne, one of my students from MCC and one of the team’s volunteers.  He was radio’ing team numbers to the Exchange to prep the next runner – Matt.  I was elated to see him and it kept me moving, for sure.  As I approached Ryne I yelled, “Call me in, M’F’er!”  And he did – “Number 61” he said into the walkie talkie.

I approached the transition to the open arms of Matt.  “I’m proud of you.  Great work, Mer.” And I slapped the baton on his wrist and sent him on his way.  Sadly, Matt had to complete another couple miles of ascent before enjoying a 7+ mile decent down the mountain.  Yeah – his times were better than mine, for sure.

At Exchange 27 I got the chance to visit with Ray – another MCC student and team volunteer.   And, when Matt’s crossed the finish line the Exchange, we looked at each other knowingly: “It was done! We effing did it!”

Brian headed out, followed by Layne and Josh for our last runs.  Layne had completed a marathon the weekend prior to Ragnar – she was amazing.  Josh was on his fourth leg – since he’d completed one for Brent a few hours prior.  And, Brian was ½ driver, ½ Dad to all of us.  He was simply amazing – and we all appreciated how helpful and thoughtful he was for the entirety of the race.

When we hit Exchange 30, we knew our part was done.  The rest was up to Van 2: Anne, Loretta, Loretta, Kim, Kris and Josh2.  I said Loretta twice, because she turned into an amazing BadAss and agreed to do Brent’s 3rd and final leg RIGHT after her 3rd-but-not-final leg.  She texted me immediately following her amazing finish with her stats: 3.8 miles with a 10:09 pace, followed by 3.1 miles with a 10:11 pace!  This is the gal who one year ago ran 12 min miles.  I am so so so proud of her!!!!

The gals at the last exchange - I think. (Anne, Kim, Kris, Me and Layne)

Our 6 runners + Jac, went to eat what we all thought was the greatest breakfast of our lives.  I’m sure it was average at best, but to the 7 of us – it was divine intervention.  There were coffee, eggs, sausage, pancakes, bacon and so much cheese.  After that, we headed to the finish line in Tempe – knowing it would be a few hours before Josh2 would be around.

As we got to the finish line – Matt, Layne, Aaron and I bee-lined it to the beer tent and drank delicious craft beer while we waited for the rest of the team.  As each runner finished their leg, a text would come through from some member of the Van to let me know.

Around 3pm, I received a text from Anne, “Josh is out and headed to finish”.  At 3:36pm a text from Brent, “Josh hit the 3 mile mark at about 28 minutes.”  He had 5.6 miles, so approximately another 25 minutes.

I rallied the team and told Anne that they needed to move the van to finish, not supporting Josh for the rest of the run – this way they would all be ready when he got near the finish line.  We all needed to cross together.  I was watching several teams cross (as we drank beer) and occasionally you would see that only ½ of the team was able to cross together.  The parking situation was rough around the finish and I just wanted to see everyone’s smiling face together at the end!

They made it with about 8 minutes to spare.  Their amazing van driver, Sarah, caught wind of the issue and was gracious enough to allow them to be dropped off – and she would park the van.  The whole team was together.  Aaron and Josh1 went to meet up with Josh2 about ¼ mile from the finish and they all ran in, keeping him motivated.  It was amazing to see both vans supportive of each other, really for the first time.  We just didn’t have a lot of opportunity when the other van’s runners were running.

As soon as we laid eyes on Josh2, he sprinted and we all followed him across the finish line.  It was magical.  Medals and Ragnar 2013 stickers were issued.  We hugged and we posed for team photos.  We did it – injuries, eating issues, pooping issues, sleeping issues and texting issues – we still did it.  All 12 of us, plus 2 amazingly dedicated van drivers and 3 amazing volunteers.

Congratulating each other...

Receiving my medal...

One of the proudest moments of my life! (Back to front, Left to Right: Brian, Aaron, Josh2, Brent, Kris, Anne, Mer, Matt, Kim, Josh1, Loretta)

I know that the 7 people (6 runners and Jac) in my van will be permanent fixtures in my life, now.  We shared some of the most difficult moments – uphill, downhill, through pain and all while eating junk food and not sleeping.  I also know that the other van felt exactly the same way about their experience with one another.

Matt, Mer and Jac - happy happy!

Suburban - we marked off our runs as we finished them - both sides had names.

I can see why people do this race.  It’s hard, but it’s so rewarding.  It’s certainly not for everyone – but I think I can safely say it was for all 12 runners on the Informed Insanity team!  

Our vahicle was tagged by others.... and ii tagged many!