We all know that I am NOT a runner and that I do not particularly like running, so why I agreed to do this relay race is beyond me. LOL.
That being said, it was a lot of fun.
The Race consists of 2 Vans with 6 people in each van. I happened to be leg 12 (last leg, 2nd van). As a team, we ran a total of 194 Miles from Huntington Beach to San Diego. Some legs were harder than others and some were longer or shorter than others. Overall, I had the 3rd longest and hardest legs, running a total of 17 miles... Leg 1 - 6.7 - Very Hard, Leg 2 - 4.8- Hard, Leg 3 - 5.4 - Moderate. Say What?!?!?
To be honest, it was OK.. once I mentally accepted the fact that I was a lunatic for doing this, the run itself wasn't too bad. :-)
Our team name was Chafing Our Dreams and I gotta tell ya, it was a hit! Everyone all the course loved it. :-)
Van 1: Jennifer, Cassie, Nancy, Alice, Time & Jesse
Van 2: Joe, Louise, Rob, Mickey, Georgia, Rachel
We kicked off the night with a slumber party at Georgia's house. it was fun. we woke up bright and early at 5:00am to Pharrell's HAPPY... which put us all in a HAPPY and excited mood for the race ahead.
After we registered and got all of our ducks in a row, we were ready. Jennifer took the first leg, which was also the hardest by the way (total of 26 mi)... and nailed it. in Fact Van 1's overall pace was a little ridiculous. I seriously think they are all offspring of THE FLASH! :-)
Rob (Joe is the Photobomber) :-)
Louise
Georgia
Mickey
Rob, Georgia & Joe (all family)
Georgia
Me, Louise & Georgia (Before the Relay) :-)
Then it was our turn. Joe flew through the first leg. Which was kind of hysterical, considering he has never ran more than 6 miles ever and he had to 9.8! He also had the 2nd hardest/longest legs. Our team did relatively well. Everyone had an awesome pace and we were all linked up to Endomondo. I am not sure if you know of this app, but basically, it tracks your pace and location, so we were able to track our runners to the minute so no one was waiting at the exchange point and so we could meet at certain parts along the course to cheer on our teammates or give them water. Additionally, the app has "peptalks," so your teammate can text you "kick butt" or "you can do it" or whatever and a Siri type voice will say, "Peptalk from Jen: Kick Ass and Take Names." it is hysterical to hear this voice out of nowhere cheer you on. its Awesome.
For my first leg, I had to do a "Very Hard -6.9 miles." ... and to be honest, it was very hard. Although I did have the beauty of the sunset, I was running through "Hills/Canyons" of Doheny State Park and Beach into Dana Point. It was gorgeous!! Overlooking the canyons, golf courses and into the beach. Although I had a super hard leg, I 100% bet it was still the best one! My pace was 10:45 a mile. Not too shabby considering i have been averaging around 11:53 a mile! WAHOO!!! minute shaved.
When I finished, of course I was starving... as was everyone else. I quickly changed in the back of the van and we headed out to find some italian. I know I needed protein, but I also knew I needed those carbs for the next leg. Plus I had my recovery drink and performance drink for the run, so I was on track with proper recovery. So when we got to the Italian place, I inhaled some ravioli and then we made our way to the next major exchange where we managed to squeeze in 1.30min of sleep. it was not pretty. the other van was running and their legs were all messed up because we could no longer run though Camp Pendleton, so it difficult to track them. Be we managed an at 1:30am we were up again for Leg 2.
This leg was a lot tougher than the last one. and to recap for you, throughout the first leg, we managed to drive like crazy people, flip our cooler over (multiple times) - allowing for all the water to drain out onto our make-shift bed, we had no real food, pretty good tunes and tons of laughs! This leg, we were all super tired, slightly damp - despite taking the blankets to a laundry place to shove in the dryer... and of course out of it as it was the middle of the night. but that didn't stop us. We were ready to go. Joe took off and as we drove the hills to the next exchange for Louise, all I could think was "thank goodness I am not doing that leg!" it looked tough! Although when we got to my leg, at 4:20 in the morning... I looked at the distance and elevation and it was no picnic, either, but running in the dark was surprisingly fun!! :-) and my pace improved - 10:33 a mile - BOOM!!
Me, Georgia and Louise (not sure you can see us or not.) :-)
I am all LIT up!
When I ran, I actually also had on a miner's headlamp.
It was kind of ridiculous.
After our second leg, Georgia had the amazing idea for us to head to 24hr Fitness to shower. I think that seriously may have been one of the best showers of my life. :-) Despite the fact that I brought two rollers with me for the van, I was still a tad sore. So the good thing with 24hr Fitness, they had nice soft mats and additional rollers that I took advantage of! Thank goodness! After reviving ourselves with showers, I made the executive decision to hit up Starbucks. Afterall I was driving! :-) That Chai Tea and Egg White/Turkey Bacon Sammy was sooooooooooo delicious. I probably should have ordered 4 of them. When we made our way to the last exchange, the sun was in full-force, so it made it a little difficult to sleep, but we managed to nap for another 1:30min. After scoping out the exchange area, which was beautiful, right on the coast with free massages, BTW... and yes, I took advantage of that. Although it wasn't the best massage, it was still nice. I actually skipped back to the van to our make shift bed and threw on my eye mask and slept for about 45min while Joe headed out for his last leg.
We couldn't believe it, we were in the last leg. So crazy how quickly the night flew by. Now are adrenaline was in overdrive. The excitement of the last leg, the eagerness to "just get it over with" and for me, i wanted to improve my time. Could I be enjoying running?? OMG... I think I am! (someone take my temperature) ;-)
Rob and I - just before my last leg - and the team's last leg!
We were excited!
When I looked over my "workout" summaries, I noticed that I improved my time with each leg. Now keep in mind, to date I have only ran 5 miles in 58 min. It didn't matter if I ran flats or hills, it was 58 min. So when i finished Leg One, I did it in 55 minutes and Leg Two in 50 minutes... I was dumbfounded!! I figured ya know what, lets do this!! So, with ego in overdrive, I took off like a bat-outta-hell. I was on a mission and nothing was going to stop me. Well, until we hit a stop light. Man, does that really kill the motivation... a mile in and I was a little deflated. Of course I knew I had to pick up the pace if I wanted to beat my time, but I was also running through San Diego and I got distracted. I went back to my intervals and on the break, i drank my performance drink and snacked on a Blok and I also took pictures. I couldnt help it. It was so gorgeous... but with 2+miles to go, this girl that I had passed in mile one, called me out on my "lax" running. I actually appreciated it. So for the remaining miles, I ran with her at about a 9 min pace. NO Intervals. NO Stopping! I was a machine and ended up finishing Leg 3 - 5.4 Miles in 50min!! I could not believe it. I did it! I Smashed my goal on time for that leg and I was lolly-gagging. Imagine if I wasn't!
Now that is MOTIVATION!
However... you have to look at these pics, can you blame me?? :-)
So that is it! My first Ragnar Relay Race FINISHED and Super Fun. The team was amazing. No Fights, Just Fun. I highly suggest you do this if you get the chance. I will definitely be running again.
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