Tuesday, February 28, 2012

"Ready To Run" - Dixie Chicks

Sorry, first I must say I was a little freaking excited when I entered my mileage today and saw that February = 329 miles
I was planning on taking a "rest" day tomorrow but then these babies came:

And I follow orders. ;)

Ragnarrelay.com defines a "Ragnar" as:

An overnight running relay race that makes testing your limits a team sport. A team is made up of 6-12 individuals; each individual runs 3 legs. The legs of the race vary in difficulty and distance, from 3-8 miles, allowing elite and novice runners to run together. Over 2 days and 1 night, teams run across 200 miles of the country’s most scenic terrain. Pair that with crazy costumes, inside jokes, a great finish line party and unforgettable stories. Some call it a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant. We call it Ragnar.

I call it, "a freaking must do event".

I'm not going to do the timeline of events - - that would take way too freaking long.

Instead, I will list way too many details as to why this rocked, why this was an event like any other I've done & what I'd suggest for anyone wanting to do this race.

*  I underestimated the "party" factor.  Sure people were out here to run but they were out there to have fun doing it - loved that.
* We started in Wickenburg - ya, I was freezing, as always. [nice face, right?]

*  Some awesome outfits/costumes included:  Forrest Gump, Mitt Romney [we smell like Mitt], Men in Speedos,

Women looking like they just stepped off the pole [sorry that's the only way to put it], Team of super heros, 80's disco crew complete with music, Cast from TOP GUN [TOP RUN] - loved that . . . .awesome.

* Having Mandi as our team captain.  Ya, this woman . . . .she's amazing.  I'm pretty sure the fact I loved this was because she made it run smoothly.  Even down to the stink / stank factor - this girl had it covered.

Thank you Mandi!
* I was runner #1 - so I had the first 14.1[ish] miles.  Then I'd sit for the next 10[ish hours] and run again around 8pm. 
* Ya, I'm pretty sure we had the best team ever.  Not only was I with 5 of the coolest "Cholla Chicks" - I was adopted, I was with two of their husbands [driver/co-pilot] who were beyond amazing.  Seriously, a van with 6 women for 31[ish] hours = sainthood.  I'm sure of it.
* Pretty incredible to be in a van for that long and have zero issues - zero - yes - zero.
*  These Cholla Chicks are pretty hard core.  OK - they are freaking hard core & they are pretty.  And Jeff [Christy's hubby] & Ked [Mandi's hubby] even though they called us their "sister wives"  - - - freaking rock stars.  Cannot express THAT enough.
* We had a 15 passenger van [back seat removed].  Best layout ever.  You could stand up in this baby.  Ideal for stretching.  The girl who had finished running would take to the back area of the van.  Baby wipe shower, stretching, sleeping bags & food.
awesome.
* Jeff was the best with his water bottle hand-offs.  He'd run with me as I drank.  Super awesome.
* cow bell mania.  Sure there were the normal "lull" periods when the bells didn't ring as much, we all got tired....duh...but the support was always there.
*  It was hot.  Lucky for me I ran at 9:30am, 8pm, 6:45am - which were all amazing weather wise.  I had one run at noon [I think] that was only 6 [ish] miles but felt freaking hot.
* Love salty butterfly crotch.

* All and all ------ incredible.
* Loved the finish line.

* loved Emily pushing through at the end with a very sore hip.

* Loved that my views on "Ragnar" were changed....... completely.
* Loved that I got to run 43.2 miles [not my planned 37].
* Love that I had to run one more mile on my Treadmill at home so it'd be 44 miles.
* Love my new treadmill decor

* Love that I altered it because I'm a little peeved they don't do an "ultra" sticker

or medal for that matter.

* The Pita was happy I was " gone runnin' " as it provided him time to buy a-yet-freaking-nother gun.  How many guns can one person have?
Where is my contact info for my peep at Woodway?  ;)
Anyway . . .
* This was one of the best experiences ever.  I've done a trail 50 miler.  I treadmill 100 miler. . . . . and this was unlike either of them.  A different type of demanding put on the body.  A different mental game.

*I'll be doing this again, no question.

BUT . . .

I want to do it with four.
A four person Ragnar relay.
50 miles each.
So, I'm looking for three takers. . . . . . .

 . . . . who's in?

26 comments:

Christi said...

You and the girls are freakin' rock stars! Y'all inspire me for sure.

Melissa Cunningham said...

oh wow!!!!!
that looks and sounds like soooo much fun!!!!!
AND you know if i didnt live on the direct opposite side of the states from you,(and wasnt currently knocked up)i would so do just about anything to part of your ragnar team!!!
you.
freakin.
ROCK!!!!

CautiouslyAudacious said...

Amazing!! I had friend that did the ultra relay also and all the stories are amazing. You are awesome. For some reason I have no desire to run a relay race I think it has to do with my sensitive stomach and the though of trying to eat and run at night sounds frightening. Love the pics!

Taryn said...

You are awesome!!! It sounds like you had a blast and you covered some amazing mileage! Way to go!

Cynthia said...

Sounds like a freaking awesome time! I have beening wanting to do a relay, and especially been wanting to do an ultra relay but I don't have any friends that are crazy enough.
With that being said I haven't really talked to many people about my crazy adventure happening this July, I will be running my first ultra, 52.4 miles or 2 back to back marathons to honor our Soldiers. If all goes well and I decided that ultra runs are for me... I would totally be interested in running a 4 person Ragnar relay :)

racing dawn said...

Ummm I'd like in. Do they have a ragnar in Hawaii?

Looks like a blast!!! And thank goodness your captain was a pro! That makes all the difference!! Yay Mandi!

Sarah said...

Those outfits rule!

XLMIC said...

My one relay experience left me feeling similarly enamored. So glad you all had such a total blast!

If I weren't such a wimpy, hurtin' old lady I'd totally love to do that insane 50 miles each thing. You'll find takers and you'll have a great time with it, I'm sure :)

ShutUpandRun said...

omg the butterfly crotch!! I will never recover from that one.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

best.ragnar.recap.ever!

I can only imagine the fun element of this kind of event. Until this past weekend I was an always lone wolf kinda runner. That might be changing...a little.

Congrats on the run and the huge huge huge mileage.

Char said...

Sounds like so much fun. Cute costumes!

Rachelle Wardle said...

I am totally in EMZ!! I ran Del Sol over the weekend too. It was my 6th Ragnar and I am so incredibly ready for an Ultra. My next ragnar will definitely be an ultra and I would love to do the 4 team members. Awesome idea.

Could not agree more with you. Ragnars seriously freaking rock!

Unknown said...

Very cool!

Toss me and Kevin in with your group of 4 and see if Amanda wants in - we could could crush it!

Question: How many guns can one person have?

Answer: If "N" equals number of guns currently owned then the answer is always N+1 (-:

Ironman By Thirty said...

329 miles in February??? After 300+ in January??? You. Rock!

Sounds like you had a blast! I could have done without the salty butterfly crotch though... :-P

4x50 sounds awesome!

ajh said...

That is A LOT of miles! Impressive!

Mandi Runs said...

BTW I am now writing on my sticker! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Brandi said...

I'm totally IN for a 4-person, 50-mile Relay!!

LOVED every minute of my 50-mile experience...
The chance to do it again, but surrounded by like-minded, amazing women..... PURE AWESOMENESS!!!

Glad your Ragnar went so well!!!

Molly said...

I totally have to do one of these!

Anonymous said...

im in. will probably die on you but im so in.

Heather-O said...

329 miles! You are insane!!! Love it!

Jason said...

Do I have to say I'll do it?

We get a propane stove and cook at stops for the runners. I know Karen will do it.......

Great write-up and looks like you had the best time.

The Pickle 4?

Anonymous said...

I love this post!! Especially the butterfly crotch!!!!!! I would totally love to be on your 4 person 50 mile team! This is a goal/dream of mine to do an ultra!

Michelle said...

Wow crazy miles! Sounds like you had a great time!

Patrick Mahoney said...

Tarragon. Oh yeah.

Matty O said...

This is me high fiving PITA. Great purchase :)

TriMOEngr said...

Good thing I don't run on "away" trips yet. My husband would be all about Jeff's theory of N+1. Sounds like a fantastic time. Maybe someday. I can't yet finish that many miles in one month.