Our Story (85 Percent): Ragnar So Cal 2016

"WE BELIEVE THAT BEING A RAGNARIAN IS ABOUT MORE THAN BEING A RUNNER; THAT MISERY LOVES COMPANY AND HAPPINESS IS “ONLY REAL WHEN IT’S SHARED”; THAT THERE IS A BADASS INSIDE ALL OF US; THAT EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE CHEERED AT THE FINISH LINE; THAT TUTUS MAKE YOU RUN FASTER; THAT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE VAN STAYS IN THE VAN; THAT ADVENTURE CAN ONLY BE FOUND IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IT; AND THAT A LITTLE SLEEP DEPRIVATION IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY TO WATCH THE SUN RISE WITH OUR FRIENDS. TOGETHER WE RAN 200-ish MILES. TOGETHER WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING"

the Quote on the Ragnar Medals which could only be read when the medals were together. It was a puzzle.

Ragnar Relays are incredibly unique experiences. I have completed nine Ragnars (six in the van and two on the trails). I wanted Dylan to have this experience so though I promised myself that I was done with them, I did one more for Dylan. It is a very physically exhausting feat, and I think it is definitely harder than a half marathon and can potentially be more challenging than a full marathon (depending upon your miles). This past weekend, our Lost in Transit team ran from Huntington Beach to San Diego (a total of 190ish miles).

Ragnar Relay Exchange (where you exchange your team's runners)

We started at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and did not cross the finish line until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. In that long period, we ran and ran and ran. There was always someone on that 12-member relay team that was running. I had the second longest legs - running a total of 22 miles. Dylan ran a little over 14 miles. The course had several steep hilly legs, which I actually requested to do. I wanted the training for Big Sur. One of my legs was 7.4 miles and some of the hills were at an 8 percent incline. Yes, I walked. I ran two of my legs at night, which does become a safety concern. I have very poor night vision. When you run at night, it is mandatory to wear safety vests, headlights and taillights.

I loved the members of my van. We were van 2, which is always the most difficult van to be in because normally, you have the longer legs at the worst hours. They are such amazing, easy-going, fun loving people and most importantly, they are as annoying as me in their obsession with pictures. I was really proud of Dylan. I did not think he would run fast because frankly, he hasn’t run since the LA Marathon, but he did amazingly well. He ran his first and shortest leg of 3 miles in 23 minutes.

Marking our completed legs on the van. Ragnar vans are always decorated. Some teams go all out!

Dylan finishing his first leg and running into the exchange.

Dylan taking off on his last leg where he ran by Lance's old boat dock.

Our theme for this Ragnar was 80s, and we got a few photos at the start, but the pictures at the finish line were few. I was not feeling too well, because on my last leg of 8.7 miles, I tripped over the sidewalk and landed forward, breaking my new ipod, skinning my knees, and bruising my thumbs. I hobbled the remaining 1.7 miles to just finish my leg. When the team finally finished, I had already visited the First Aid tent and was just eager to get home. Quite simply---I felt like crap.

My 80s costume (mostly from the thrift store and swap meet)

the ladies of the team (minus one)

Van 2 team members (minus 2)

Starting my last leg

The most difficult thing about a Ragnar is not the running. For me, what makes Ragnar so physically challenging is the lack of sleep. Surprisingly for this run, I got more than my usual one-hour sleep. I probably got a total of four hours of sleep, but running my last leg of almost nine miles in the heat on such little sleep was just PAINFUL. (Several runners just sleep in designated areas in parks and on the beach. I slept in the van.)

Ragnar So Cal is such a beautiful course especially once you get to the San Diego area. We slept in Torrey Pines, and it was just breathtaking.

most of the team at Torrey Pines

Van 2 at Torrey Pines

Dylan LOVED Ragnar. He is already eager to do another one. He said they were so much more fun than a half marathon. I had to remind him that he was lucky to be in a good van. A Ragnar experience is just as good as the van you are in. I don’t know if I would be eager to run another one though. I’m just too damn old for this sh*t. Unless…..it was Cape Cod. I would definitely do that one!

Finish Line Photos: