Ragnar Relay Del Sol

Team Running Wild: 200 miles, 33:21:13

This is what I’ve been training for since September! To tell you a little about this race…it started in Wickenburg and ended in Tempe. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of teams. You have 12 runners with 3 legs each. If you are an ultra team you have 6 who obviously run double. We had 2 vans…Van 1 with legs 1,2,3,4,5,6 and Van 2 with legs 7,8,9,10,11,12. As Van 1 ran their legs in order, Van 2 would be getting ready and making sure we were on time at the exchange for runner 7. We would be contacted by the other Van to let us know when that runner started, then based on the runners average mile we could calculate how much time we had to be at the exchange. I was in Van 2 and runner 10. So we reported to the first exchange for our runner 7 to get ready about 10am Friday morning.

You may recognize #11 my London's Run friend Becky!



How it would work is that we would all wait around the exchange, cheering on the runners coming in for each team. There would be a Ragnar staff member like 20 yards before the exchange with a walkie talkie that would relay the team number of the runner that was approaching. So back at the exchange we would hear "Team #198 get your runner ready!" And this would happen at each exchange....once runners 7 and 8 were done we got the my exchange where I would wait for runner 9.

The proof of the bi-polar tendencies coming out when I'm running. Cracking up telling a story one minute...

...serious face the next...


Ok I got the slap wristband and was off for the first run. 8.4 miles. I averaged about a 10 minute mile. I felt pretty good. I struggled a bit with my bowels which made me have to walk for a few minutes. I specifically remember singing a song from my ipod sooo loud then out of nowhere this guy passes me and pats me on the back. Uuuuhhh oh well. I was able to get a honk from my van 2 peeps as they went on to the exchange where I would end my run.

My van sistas waiting...it was kind of chilly!






After my run I was able to relax and hit up a porter potty. We climbed into the van and proceeded with runners 11 & 12. I think the hardest thing mentally for me isn't before the run, it's after when you know you have to it all over again. After our van was done with the everyone's first legs we were able to shower, eat & find the major exchange where a sleeping area was provided. It was crazy to see how many people and vans were everywhere. The facilities that allowed us to use showers and gym floors were pretty nice. It was about 9 pm when we arrived at the exchange that our runner 7 would start. This would give us a few hours to try and get some shut-eye.

There weren't very many pictures of the night time. I know for me I was too tired and too focused on getting any sleep possible on the gym floor with hundreds of other people. I stole these of the big field that people slept in and the beautiful scenery we got to enjoy.





So about 12 am Saturday morning our van had get ready for the second legs. You always had to run with a headlamp, back lamp and reflective vest. It was about 3am when I ran my second leg. 4.3 miles. I think this average was around a 9:30 minute mile. On the way to my exchange we got lost for about 15 minutes. Poor Steph (runner 8) had to wait there wondering where we were. I freaked out because I didn't get any stretch time. We go screaching up to the exchange and I jump out of the van, get the wristband slapped on and start my leg all in one swoop. It was the most invigorating run. It was chilly and dark and I loved it. My whole training was all in the dark so I was used to it. Occasionally I'd see the headlamp of some guy passing me. But other than that it was rather peaceful.

So about 5-6 am is when our van was done with the second legs. We were able to eat and get to the next major exchange to sleep...which actually turned out to be Fountain Hills High School. This time we got about 4 hours of sleep. My last leg was only 3.8 miles and my best average...about a 9:20 minute mile. The majority of the run was in this park/greenbelt along a lake in a Scottsdale neighborhood. We had some signs for the runner to give the van if we needed water, a porter potty, if were good or if we dying. Thumbs up of course was the "good to go" sign.



Last leg done! The best feeling.

Macaia gave me the best and most needed hug.

It was nice have massage therapist as a driver! I got some major butt cramps bringing it in on the last leg.


Phew! I was finally able to really relax, change clothes and try to make myself presentable for the finish line. We got to run the end with runner 12 (Crazy Stacy) and cross the finish line as a team. It was so exciting and emotional! We got all decked out in our best zebra/leopard/animal garb.





I have never bonded so quickly and deeply as I did with the 6 other girls in my van. Running is such an emotional thing for me, and at this magnitude it just makes everything much more memorable. I'll be doing it again and again.

London's Run 1/2 Marathon

Caitlin: 13.1 miles - 2:12:28, 10:07(mpm average)
Ben: 6.2 miles - 48:03, 7:44(mpm average)

My friend Becky asked me to do the London’s Run ½ Marathon about a week prior. I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess that competitive edge I have embedded in me wanted to challenge the other half to a duel. I figured if I was training already for my Ragnar Relay I’d be fine. Before all this I hurt my knee and took about 6 weeks off of training completely. Then I had some major arch pain which ended up with me getting new shoes.


Before I got injured my longest run was only 10 miles. So after I committed to the half, I’ll admit I got kind of cocky and thought “Hey what’s 3 miles more.” The night before I was sick to my stomach with nerves and wanted to visit the toilet for many reasons. Ben did his best to calm me and reminded me to stretch and clear my mind. I did just that and got my Ipod, beans, gels, GU’s, powders, Garmin, body glide, and water belt ready to go. I laid out the perfect outfit and tried to relax. At the last minute Ben decided to run the 10K. He’s crazy. The morning of we got up bright and early. My nerves turned into adrenaline and my legs were ready. It was more exciting because Ben was participating in an event too.

I told Ben afterward that I’m such a bi-polar runner. I’ll be laughing at mile 7 and crying at mile 8. It didn’t help that along the way were pictures of children who had suffered or are suffering from cancer. At mile 12 was a beautiful picture of London in a white dress, which the run is named after. She passed away in 2005 at age 6 from leukemia. I lost it. I kept telling myself…you can’t breathe, cry, and run at the same time!! As I came up to the finish line I saw Ben taking pictures from the side.


I crossed the line and a guy caught me and all I really remember is Ben saying “thank you” and then he was walking me to get some food. He kept saying “You’re ok, you’re ok” as I was trying to catch my breath. He grabbed me the best tasting bagel ever and got me to the massage booth. Ben did great in his race and got a medal for placing. Becky had a great time too! We were so close to each other.




I absolutely loved the whole experience and will definitely do it again. It was such an emotional experience for me. Not only was the cause a great one, but I accomplished something I NEVER thought I would. My body literally took over and beat all the negative thoughts. I love that feeling. Now everytime I hear the songs play from that run I get those same emotions and my legs get that feeling like, "get me on the pavement." I learned so much about my body. All the fancy gels and beans and powders are nothing compared to what happens when your body takes over. You keep putting one foot in front of the other and before you know it you've accomplished something awesome. You feel the sore muscles but it's all a reminder of what you did. I'm hooked.

Finally an event from 2011

It's been so tiring blogging about 2010! Ben surprised me one Saturday morning in January and said pack your stuff...you're kicked out. No, he drove us to the Grand Canyon! It was my first time ever. What can you say about it? I don't think my vocabulary is big enough. On the drive up I was just crocheting like a mad woman until I finally looked up and asked Ben "Where are we?"....he said, "About 10 minutes from the Grand Canyon." Oh snap. Here are some pretty breath-taking pictures. The highlights for me were the cute mule deer bouncing all around us, the HUGE elk that were a few feet from our car, the fact that you could walk right up to them, when Ben got to meet some nice Korean people that were from the same area to which he was deployed, how they humbly thanked and shook his hand, the quality time Ben and I had at a first-time location, the trails we found that eventually we want to hike, the chilly weather and beautiful drive. Here is picture overload.


I have to tell you about this deer! I was right amongst it and his friends (next picture) and it was jumping around and doing laps like a hyper dog. It was so funny. This picture kind of shows it out of breath with the tongue hanging out.
Ben, "Caitlin back away from the deer."

We walked down to that little hole/cave thing. It's the beginning of a trail I don't remember the name to.

Happy New Years and Anniversary

I love the end of the year cause there are so many things to celebrate! We went out to dinner for our 3 year anniversary along with Sarah and Jared for their 10 year. Sarah and I are 7 years apart in age and were married 7 years apart to the day. Pretty cool!

New Years was pretty low key. Stan and I got our hair done by Chloe. She de-bumped me but I let it slide. Sadee sure loves her uncle Ben. I guess I got a little jealous cause I had to squeeze in my face for a picture.

Sarah and I attempted to write our names with sparklers. Hers turned out way better. We think we're pretty clever.


Last but not least my brother Jeff took on a fireworks stand in our local neighborhood Walmart parking lot. Yes they are legal in certain counties in Arizona. My dad and Ross pretty much worked their whole Christmas break along with Jeff. I think they had to take turns sleeping in a camper next to the tent for security reasons. It was crazy and for the day I was there it was fun! I got to take a shift as Rocket Girl. Jeff along with the help of my mother made this rocket costume. I had a hardhat with this foam stuff to stick to that black cone. I would walk back and forth along the main road and jump around. I would trip on those garland/firework smoke things sticking out...but never busted my face. You can kind of see my feet sticking out. It was fun dancing around with my ipod and a great way to spend some quality time with yourself. My family is fun.