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.