For starters, I’m a terrible photographer. I took a grand total of three pictures between Thursday morning and Saturday night.
It was absolutely amazing. As I may or may not have mentioned, I’ve wanted to run Ragnar for the past 3 years.
waiting at the start line
Team Optimus Prime has taught me that good things come to those who wait.
Ragnar NW Passage is 187 miles (or 190, depending on who you ask). Ragnar teams are usually made up of 12 runners. The original plan was to run it that way, but sometimes life works out differently. We became an ultra team of 6.
For me, I think it was perfect. I certainly stressed about running over 30 miles a lot more than I would have stressed about my mileage with a regular team, but I think that’s probably a normal reaction. (Smile and nod either way.) I would really have only been able to spend time with the other five runners in my van anyway.
I keep writing in circles. I have no idea how to relate any of this. I’ve never done a relay before, I’ve never run further than a half marathon before, and I’ve certainly never run so many miles on so little sleep. (Which is very, very precious to me.) It’s all very new.
Ragnar has long sold shirts with the slogan “Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat.” It ought to include “Eat” as well. I did my fair share of running, possibly more eating, very little driving during the actual event, and I know I got a solid hour-long nap.
What I’m hoping is that my teammates will write up some amazing posts so that I can just link to them and say, “Yeah, that’s totally what I meant to say! I was thinking that but couldn’t find the right words.” *COUGH* pretty, pretty please! *COUGH*
The laughter far outweighed the tears. In fact, I might not have cried at all. I was definitely on the verge of tears when I asked Mac for a professional consult about a toenail that I thought might be trying to pack its bags and leave me (answer: yes it will be leaving. As ugly as it is, I’m hoping it goes sooner rather than later. Definitely no pictures.)
How about you tell me what you want to know and then I can do a better post? Deal?
Let it sink in a little more. No need to rush it. The right thoughts will come.
What an awesome time, thanks so much for bringing us all together for this Sharla! I’m having trouble finding the right words myself, but will hopefully have a post up in the next day or two…
You are my hero.
I just wanted to say I saw “you” (the Ragnar runners) in my area on Saturday. I wanted so badly to roll down the window and shout encouragement to every one I passed or honk or something. I didn’t, fearing I would scare someone half to death. I don’t know why but teared up telling my kids what all you were out there for.
Anyway, congratulations and I look forward to hearing about your experience!!
I tear up over stuff like that all the time!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. 