Ragnar Del Sol

I have been delaying this post for two reasons.  #1 I couldn’t find my camera while at the race (I found it yesterday in my purse which was not with me) so I only have a few pictures.  I am waiting for one of our team members to email me tons of pictures.  #2 How can I put in words exactly how I felt?

I better just get something down.  We left Wednesday late morning and drove and drove and drove to Gilbert, AZ.  Bryan, the boys and my brother Chris.  The drive actually wasn’t too bad, just the part when my dear friend texted me pictures of the delicious food she was eating.  We arrived that night and slept!  Thursday we hung out in the Arizona sun and I went and visited my childhood friend Emily, always so great to see her.

Thursday evening it was time to meet up with the team.  We ate at The Cheesecake Factory and tried to eat what would do us right the next morning.  We all were in a 15 passenger van which was so fun.  13 adults riding along for fun.  We dropped van 2 off at their hotel and those of us in van 1 made the hour drive to Wickenburg.  We stayed at this cute little Best Western hotel.  The girls room looked like someone’s house.  It cracked me up, I don’t know why, it just did.

4:45 a.m. Friday, up and getting ready for the next 30 plus hours.  We got ready and headed to the starting line for our safety meeting and 6:30 start time.  It was FREEZING!!!! 

Harrison, our 15 year old loud speaker party child started us out.  Steve, our driver and comedian next.  Spencer, serious runner, team photographer, and the person you would always want on your team because he is so helpful was next.  Chris, my brother and first time Ragnar racer next.  Me and then Kristi, also first timer.  Jenny, the one who brought us all together and trained so hard got influenza a week before the race and did not run, but joined our fun (actually she did run with a few people at night and brought the whole team in at the end).

(Chris starting his first run and Harrison’s head)

My first run was listed as 7 miles pretty much all down hill.  Reality is was rolling hills on a slight incline.  I enjoyed the whole run and finished with an average 9:48 minute mile, much faster than I usually run.  It was nice and warm, perfect running weather.

After our van finished all of our first legs we hung out at Surprise High School, in Surprise!  This is when you are supposed to rest, but at 3:00 in the afternoon I was not tired at all.  I dozed for a few minutes and just enjoyed the feel of the sun on me.

My second run was listed as 7 miles all uphill, and it was.  My dream came true and my 1:00 a.m. start time got moved to about 11:00 p.m.  This was the best run of the whole event.  Pitch dark, except for my  headlamp and tail light, running  in the desert.  I seriously passed a pack of coyote.  I didn’t see them, just heard them barking and howling.  Creepy for a second and then just fun.  Ragnar does a great job at keeping people safe, so don’t worry I wasn’t in danger.  I averaged 10:30, which going uphill was really good for me.

At 2:00 a.m. we got to our “sleeping” spot for the night.  I was so antsy to hurry and get my sleeping bag down on the ground.  We were on a dirt parking lot, great sleeping location.  We got nestled in our beds thinking we had until 5:30 to sleep.  I tossed and turned and was so cold I don’t think I slept much.  We got surprised at 4:45 with a wake up call from our other van saying time to get ready!

Last run was listed as 5 miles with 2 hills.  Reality 5 miles going up and up again and then up again.  When I saw my 3rd hill I wanted to cry.  I started to think, I don’t want to do one of these ever again.  By the time I exchanged and had a drink I was ready to sign up for more!  Again I average 10:30 which was very good considering my exhausted state!

Next it was time to enjoy.  No more running so I could eat whatever was in the van, salty snacks.  We got to the finish line with 3 hours to wait for the other van.  I had a massage, drank muscle milk, visited my 80th porta potty and relaxed in the sun.  It is such a party atmosphere and makes you feel like you have accomplished the greatest thing ever.  Our last runner rolled in at 4:00 and we all joined together crossing the finish line.  It took us 33 1/2 hours----2 hours ahead of our projected finish.

(The whole team)

I can’t explain the feeling to anyone.  It is an exhausting race, but you have so much adrenaline you don’t even feel tired.  As I walked out of the finish line area I said, I feel like an Olympian at the closing ceremonies.  So much fun, such a great time.  I loved it and can’t wait for the next!!!

(As soon as I get more pictures I will add them)