Whiskey Row

My disposable outer layer

We are the first ones here

The race was to start at 6:00 am. We got there a little early – about 5:20. The start was on a street corner in front of Hotel St Michaels. We knew we were in the right place because we saw the overhead banner- Whiskey Row Marathon. But we were the first ones there! Okay one other guy was arriving at the same time as us. Just one. We walked into the hotel looking for a restroom to use. As the race got closer a few other people showed up. But not til about 5 minutes before did the “crowd” show up! Next time I’m staying in Hotel St Michael so that I can walk out just 5 minutes before start!

I was looking around, trying to decide if I had a chance of winning that day. There didn’t seem to be very many women, so I decided that it might be a remote possibility…

10 minutes before start

I had no time goal for the day. The whole race was 5,000-7,000 feet elevation, and I didn’t know what that kind of elevation would do to my pace.

We had hills to climb right off the bat. The air felt thin and I wanted to walk within the first few miles. My pride didn’t want me to be the first person around walking. I did start to walk 5 miles into the race though. I think I saw someone else walk and thought ‘okay, now I can too’. Even though I was one of the first to start walking, I thought, ‘these hills are going to catch up with everyone. Maybe if I start walking now, I’ll be better off later’. And I believe I was right about that.

When I started walking so early in the race I thought ‘Do I really want to do this today? This is going to be a looooong day. Maybe I’ll take the whole time given’. I wasn’t worried about missing the cut-off, but I just thought that suddenly I was in for a long day. But after questioning myself I decided ‘yes, I do want to do this today. Karen and Cynthia are watching my kids. Noah is mountain biking. No one is relying on me to do anything. All I have to do is enjoy the scenery of Prescott! I just have to let go of my pace, and just keep moving forward’.

So that’s what I did the rest of the race. I just kept moving forward. When I wanted to walk I walked. It was ALLOT. Sometimes I felt like I was walking more than running. But then I’d run a little. As long as I was moving along the 26 mile course…

The course was to run up a hill, climbing from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. You knew when you were at the top- there was a beautiful lookout. Then it was down hill, but not all down hill. Back to 5,000. Then turn around and go back up that big hill. Nothing was flat. It was never ever flat. Always up or down. The first and last 5 miles were paved. The rest of it was on shady dirt road.

I wrote texts in my mind to my friends sometimes. Texts that said “I’m doing the buddy walk today…but where are my buddies?” This is a reference to an inside joke from one of our earlier races…Long Beach I think. And at the half way point I did a mind text that said “I’m half way through, now Ill turn around and walk home!”….

It felt so good to get to the highest point for the 2^nd time. This was mile 17. Then I knew the hardest stuff was over. There would still be some hills to climb, but I had reached the highest point for the last time. My pace was at this point averaged close to 10 minute miles- just under. Over the last 9 miles I was able to shave it down to a 9:22 pace on my watch.

My legs felt strong and good in the last 9 miles. I was happy to find that I could still take the down hills fast. I thought about Top Of Utah Marathon where my quads hurt so bad that I had to walk down hills toward the end.

I started to catch up with people I hadn’t seen in awhile. The crowd really spread out and with maybe 5 miles to go I found myself alone. I couldn’t see anyone and started to panic that I had missed a turn. I decided to keep moving forward and hope for the best. I was so happy when I saw other runners again.

I remembered there had been steep ups and downs in the first few miles. So I knew I still had some steep hills to climb in the last couple of miles. But I wasn’t worried anymore. I just kept thinking ‘do what you can do today’. I kept thinking that training was the time to do the pushing, and today was the day to let my body do whatever it was prepared for. Whether it was walking or running hard. And some of it, luckily, was running hard!

I was happy with the experience because it seemed like a great opportunity to work through challenges. I had a chafing spot that I fixed. I pulled out my aquaphor and took care of the problem before it got any worse. I worked a small pebble out of my shoe. Some races I’ve just held onto my rhythm and ignored pains, figuring that I’d deal with the consequences later. It felt good to solve problems and keep working my way through this race.

It felt good to be in the moment, realizing that I wouldn’t work through this race in the usual timely manner, I started to just enjoy the moment. To think about only the mile I was in. Or the hill I was on.

But in the end my pace and finishing time wasn’t bad at all! It ended up allot faster than I thought it would be. I’m happy with my finish time but I’m most of all happy with my mental acceptance for the day.

I love PF Chang’s Marathon because I can work into my rhythm and just hold it. I can take it easy or I can push my pace and be really challenged. But sometimes I like to seek out a course that cannot be easy. A course that is challenging no matter what. It won’t be my last elevation race. It won’t be my last hilly race. I’m already wondering about Flagstaff marathon now. How does it compare?

I went back for the awards ceremony at 5:30 pm. I had no idea where I came in. I couldn’t really tell out there because I saw other women ahead of me but figured some were part of the half marathon and some might be relay? I wasn’t sure. But I thought there might be a chance….turns out I did get an age group award- 2^nd place in age group! I was 6^th woman out of 46 female marathoners and 39^th marathoner out of 166 marathoners. Very exciting to get an extra medal for an age group place. A perk to small challenging marathons I suppose!

And the best part of my marathon day was when Mitzi texted me that very day to tell me that my 2 little nieces, age 10 and 8, just completed a progressive marathon and were super excited to show me their shirts and medals! What an exciting thing to see someone you care about catch the excitement of running! Hearing that was like the whip cream and cherry on my marathon sundae:)

Age group award! 

Extra Info: Of course food and running go hand in hand for me and so I need to put in a plug for the food establishments of Prescott! We stuck with a chain for lunch- 5 guys, but enjoyed some local establishments later in the day- A bakery in downtown historic Prescott- called “Granny Annie’s Bakery” I think.  Anyway this women working in the shop makes it all herself. I had my first chocolate Napoleon. It was really great. But she had many amazing choices- cookies, cannoli’s, cream horns, fresh pie, cinnamon rolls, etc etc….amazing. And then we ate dinner later at Firehouse Plaza. We sat outside upstairs and enjoyed the ambience of the perfect day and good food. 

More Proof

In the last two weeks I have had three people tell me that running is bad for me. Two told me my knees are going to be ruined and a third told me that it has been proven that walking is much better for your heart. I don't really run for the same reasons as many of you, its mostly social, but I love the physical side effects. :) So here's another study that proves running won't kill me!

According to a recent Copenhagen City Heart study, jogging less than two hours per week can add years to your life.

The Copenhagen City Heart study started in 1976, around the time that the jogging boom happened, and followed 20,000 men and women, aged 20 to 98. Of the group, there were 1,116 male joggers and 768 female joggers. When their mortality rates were compared with the main group, the men lived 6.2 years longer than non-joggers, and women 5.6 years longer. Even crazier? The amount of exercise needed to drastically increase your lifespan isn't much at all. Just one to two and a half hours per week, split over two or three sessions.

Sure, folks who at least make the effort to run a little bit every week might also be taking care of themselves in other ways. The lesson? Stop being such a lazy turd. Or if you're already pretty active, you are probably going to live to be older than your lazy turd friends. Really, though, rippling abdominals aside, five or six years tacked on to the end of your life for a few hours' worth of effort a week is a pretty good deal.

I especially love the part that says one to two and a half hours per week will drastically increase my lifespan. I can do that.

The Boston Marathon

Here is what I can remember about the Boston Marathon, It is crazy that it has already been two weeks since I ran this.  I woke up at 5:10 am on race morning (Monday April 16th), but truthfully I woke up several times during the night, I was worried I would over sleep and I was nervous.  I woke up and put on sunscreen and my pink tank top and pink checker shorts, and headed out the door.  Reddin and I drove to the subway station and I was happy to see so many runners getting on the subway.


We meet Heather and then got back on the subway to park street.  There was a long row of yellow school buses, we took a few pictures and got on a bus and Reddin took of to go explore.


Heather and I talked the whole way on the bus, It was nice to have someone to talk and it made the trip go quick.  We got to Athletes village a few hours before the start so we ate a bagel, stood in the potty line a few times, collected free stuff (powerbars and body glide), and at about 9:30 started walked to the buses to drop off our drop bags and walk to the start.  Before the race even started I was sweating.  I was in wave 2 in corral 8 so I wished Heather good luck and we both went to the correct spots.  I crossed the start line at around 10:25 and then started running.  I didn't look at my watch very much I just wanted to do what felt comfortable but every time I did look it was always around 8 or 8:15.  I felt pretty good but sweat was dripping down my face and I really wished I had a towel or visor or something.  I drank all of my water and had to take my first gel by mile 5 because I was starting to feel funny.  At mile 10 I started to slow and knew that I needed to slow down if I wanted to finish this race and not pass out or get sick.  I was doing anything I could to cool my body down.  I ran from sprinkler to sprinkler, the spectators were amazing they lined the whole 26.2 miles and they came prepared with garden hoses, spray bottles, and water guns to keep us cool.  Several also handed out ice and cold wet sponges (those where to of my favorite items).  The race organizers where really worried about the heat (It got close to 90 degrees that day a race record I think) so they had the fire department come out also.  They fire department opened up fire hydrants and sprayed us down and they even has at least three huge yellow tents that you could run thru that sprayed water on you.  My shoes were soaking wet early on in the race, but I didn't care I just wanted to finish.  At mile 13 I ran by Wellesley college and laughed at all the signs (kiss me I am a senior, or never been kissed)  I saw a few guys stop and get kissed.  Right before mile 17 I saw Reddin and stopped and gave him a big sweaty hug and kiss and then kept running.

 I was felling pretty good then, but a few miles after that I started to slow again and took another gel, I realized then that I probably wasn't going to finish in under 4:00, but I just kept running.  I walked a little to take a gel as I started up Heartbreak Hill which helped and then just kept going. I loved the spectators at Boston College they were so loud and called me pink (go pink, looking good pink).   The last 4 miles I just kept telling myself one loop around the Islands and then when I got to 3 miles I told myself you can do anything for 30 minutes.  Then the crowd really started cheering the last 2 miles and even though my legs where tingly I finished as strong as I could at 4:16:59.  My worst race time ever, but I was still so proud because I finished.  This was the hardest race I have ran so far but I was glad I did it, it is fun.  After I finished they have you walk to get you metal and goody bag and then you have to keep walking to to get your drop bag.  I saw the long line of runners in wheel chairs and I didn't want to have to sit in one of them but by they time I got to the bus with my drop bag I felt like I was going to pass out so I set down behind the bus and texted Reddin.  He was waiting for me in the family area under the letter E.  I ate a few potato chips that is the only thing that sounded kind of good and then got up and walked to him.  After I found him I set back down again and finished my chips and then we walked to the park and got on the subway and headed back for our hotel.  I took an ice bath and then went and got in the pool and finally around 8pm that night decided I wanted to eat more then just salty snacks.  Overall it as so much fun and want to do it again someday if I can qualify again.

Runabout - An amazing addition to my training schedule

Karen, Lindy and I set out on our first Runabout on Friday, March 30th around 8:30am.

We learned a lot:

1. Always do a Runabout with friends! I loved having all day to spend with Karen and Lindy and we never ran out of things to talk about.

2. Eating must be central to your loose plans for the day, but don't eat too much, definitely don't eat until your full. Instead, eat half as much as you want and then a few hours later eat some more. Next time I would stop for a bagel or a muffin a few hours in, then half a sandwich a few hours later then a cupcake a few hours later. Along with gels and Gatorade that should get you through a day of running. I loved our stop at 7-11 to share a Cherry Coke. It tasted delicious!

3. Run as far away from home as you can, on new routes if possible. Next time it may be nice to park at Tempe Town Lake and run up through Scottsdale.

4. Plan a Runabout during cool weather. I loved our day, but after lunch it was just too hot for me to enjoy the running part of the outing, and since that was pretty much all we were doing that kind of spoiled it. :) Along with this, wear sunscreen! I'm still peeling from my sunburn, and it's a funky tan line because I sunscreened my shoulders and wiped down my arms but not enough got down to my forearms. So it is smeary and I have a definite line from my Garmin.

5. Bring more stuff. Medicine (Tylenol and Benadryl for me), maybe a few wipes in a ziplock bag, sunscreen. I feel like there should be more, but I don't know what else.



About to leave, looks like Lindy was still giving directions for her babysitter. :)

Lindy and Karen at Discovery Park with the new Gilbert Temple going up.

 

Discovery Park. I knew my shorts were too big, but this pic might make me retire them...



LUNCH!



We ran in to a friend at Paradise and she took our picture. I'm fairly certain she thinks we are all nuts!

They are so fast! We braved some construction and unknown canal routes.



Cooling off at Zanjero park.



When I saw this oasis park in the distance I knew that was where we needed to stop!



Yep, this is how we felt when we reached the shade!



Still smiling.



Our final pic, we must be good friends because we were disgusting, but still willing to touch each other for this pic.

Runabout is for friends

Checking texts

Entering a raffle at San Tan Mall

Lunch in Paradise

March 30, 2012

Cynthia didn’t have any upcoming races on her calendar and was looking for adventure. When she suggested it might be time to do the “Runabout”, Karen and I both signed on with no hesitation.

The Runabout was a concept we both learned from Dean Karnazes suggestion in his book about running a marathon in 50 days through all 50 states. He said if you really want a fun experience to pack a little bag and take off running all day in whatever direction strikes your fancy. We thought this sounded like a great idea. Not always an easy thing to do when you have kids, but a suggestion that we added to our bucket list.

Recently Cynthia came upon a blog post by Kristin Armstrong. Kristin and her friend Paige had taken a day off to do a Runabout. Reading their post got us excited about our Runabout, and we moved it higher on our priority list.

So we picked the date and lined up babysitters. We decided to do it during school hours- 9:00 to 3:00. This way Karen and I had only to find child care for our youngest. And Cynthia's kids would all be in school.

By 9:00 Friday morning we were on our way. With a few ideas, but an adventurous spirit…all of us willing to go wherever sounded fun by the moment.

Over the course of the day we spent little time on canals that we regularly run. We spent allot of time on canals that are more out of our way. We traveled new running/biking paths. We stopped when we needed bathrooms or snacks. We stopped when we needed to share a cherry coke. We put three straws in the coke and boy was it tasty. We waited for lunch until we really worked up an appetite. We were close to San Tan Outdoor Mall when we were ready. So we agreed on a classic favorite – Paradise Bakery. We all picked sandwiches and ate enough that we had to take our cookies with us for later.

Cynthia’s Mom worked near by so we swung by her office and left our long sleeve shirts (packed for our comfort inside an air-conditioned restaurant) with her. We ran on a little lighter without shirts tied around our waist. But the food in our tummies and the heat outside was starting to take a toll and we started to fade a little after lunch.

We didn’t want to start running home, we wanted to keep going in a new direction. We had this option available to us because Cynthia’s husband Scott was willing to pick us up. Yay for Scott. We just kept going until we could tell that our time was short and we had to get back to reality. We had to get back to pick up kids from school.

Over the course of the day we ran into people doing normal stuff. This is one of the things I really liked about doing runabout on a weekday and not Saturday or Sunday. It was fun to see people doing their normal stuff, and know that we were having this special day that we created for ourselves. We got allot of questions and strange looks….where are you guys from? How far have you run? Do you do this everyday?........

I highly recommend runabout with friends. Kristin Armstrong had a really great quote in her blog about how “sometimes it takes endurance to have the best kind of fun”. I liked Dean’s idea of running all day, but I really like having cool friends to share this activity with. At one point I was about to take a picture of Cynthia and she insisted one of us be in the pic with her. She said “Runabout is about friends”. And I have to agree with her. Runabout is for friends.

Ragnar 2012 - Team BLING runs again!

Ragnar is always such a fun, unique experience. It's got a lot of my favorite things all rolled in to one fun event: friends, good food, laughter and running. This year was no exception and I absolutely loved it!

We started later than usual this year and that worked well logistically for the start but I missed a few things about having the earlier start.  We had a lot of hiccups getting started, but luckily we had planned enough time and everything went fine.

Van 1 departed early from my house, meeting up with Karen, Wendi and Sarah from my house then picking up Kecia and heading to the start. Lindy met us there and at 10am Sarah took off from the starting line. She ran with her beautiful, flowing hair again, her signature style! The first leg was so hard and getting warm. She had some hills on her nice long run but she rocked it. Karen, Lindy, Wendi and Kecia followed and at about 3:00pm it was my turn.

Cynthia's First Leg, The Hot Run:

Ready to Go!

I had been looking forward to this first leg, a gentle downhill and only 4.6 miles. I had secretly been hoping to run 9 minute miles on this leg, but the heat said otherwise and I ended up with about a 9:23 pace which I was happy with. It was so hard to recover after this leg. I think the temp was only around 80 but out in the desert with no shade and running hard it felt like so much more. I refueled correctly I think and drank a lot but I still got a horrible headache an hour or so later and it didn't let up until the next day. I also blistered between my toes, and I still had two runs to go.  The heat is not my friend.

As soon as I was able to think straight we got back in the van, cheered Lisa briefly and then headed to Olive Garden for some carbs. We saw another Ragnar group there, in fact they seated us right next to them in the corner of the restaurant. Maybe they wanted to keep all the smelly runners together and away from the other customers. I had soup and salad and plenty of breadsticks. All too quickly it was time to move on. We headed to the next major exchange and parked past the chaotic parking lot somewhere we thought we might get some rest. A lot of others followed suit and soon our parking lot was also chaotic and noisy. We took time to clean up a bit more than just baby wipes and clean clothes and all started getting geared up for our next run!  As darkness hit we pulled out our nighttime bling with our sparkly pigtails, light up wands and rings.



Lindy stretching in the desert

Soon Sarah was off again, running in to the darkness.  As each runner went my headache got worse and worse. I had taken some of every painkiller I had, Advil, Aleve and Tylenol, but what I really wanted was a dark, cool, quiet room and some sleep! As captain I felt guilty that I wasn't out getting every runner started and welcoming the other runners in, but my pounding head was speaking louder than the guilt and I tried to get some rest at the exchanges.  There were a few moments in the night that I thought I was getting too old for this, that maybe I needed to accept my humanity and give up on Ragnar.  Finally it was my turn and at about 2:15am I headed out in to the night.

BLINGalicious Babes!

Cynthia's Second Leg, The Night Run:
So it turned out that I didn't need sleep, I just needed a nice, cool refreshing run! I didn't notice my headache at all after just a few minutes.  My night run was relatively flat and really quiet and peaceful. I was running mostly along a frontage road next to I-17. I felt great. I hardly saw anyone, just one or two speedy men passed me and I passed just a few people, but no one was making small talk. The weather was perfect, cool and clear. I had about 6.25 miles and ran about a 9:30 pace for most of that. I had some street crossings so ended up with a little slower average because of that. Right before I got to the end they turned me off the road and in through a park area. It went from well lit road to pitch black.  My eyes were still adjusting when I stepped in a giant puddle and my right foot got wet up to the ankle.  I realized the sprinklers were on and the sidewalk was wet and slippery.  Luckily it was only about two tenths of a mile and I got to the chute. When I got there Lisa was no where to be seen. I shouted out for her and my team but still no response. I got out my phone and called her, no answer. I called Barb and she answered and told me she and Brad had left some time ago. I remembered that Brad was going to pace her for her night run (husband of the year) so I called Brad and got ahold of him.  Apparantly they were having some difficulty finding the chute. I think it was about a five minute delay but they showed up and were off. I wasn't the only runner waiting for my next runner, clearly that exchange was confusing. As we walked out I realized how poorly marked that exchange was! Ragnar needs to fix that for next year.

Trying to stay cheerful and awake!

My head started a dull ache again but I was excited to be heading to the hotel.  We showered in runner order which put me last but it was fine because I was still enjoying my runner's high. After showering and snacking we all settled in for a one hour and 45 minute nap.  We cut it pretty close on time but made it to the next exchange just in time!

Cynthia's Third Leg, Rolling Hills:
About 11:30am it was time for me to head out again, this time in to Fountain Hills. Actually at 11:26am Kecia was waiting for me in the chute. Our minds were sort of working slow and we had calculated the wrong time for her to be done. Luckily another team was looking out for us and ran to get me when they saw her waiting in the chute.  I think we lost less than four minutes, but that's frustrating and I felt bad! I was also looking forward to this run, but knew it would be a challenge for me.  It was rolling hills for most of it, but there was a pretty tough climb right in the middle of the 5.8 mile run. Hills, coupled with heat, that is definitely my cryptonite! I was also trying to ignore the blister pain, but it was definitely affecting my stride at this point. I had been shooting for a 10 minute average pace and I didn't hit it, but in my defense, the street crossings can kill your pace! I waited at least a full minute at one crossing. I ended up with a 10:20 pace and was proud of that.


The traditional blanket tunnel...as Karen heads up the steepest longest hill of the race.

Even though we had a ton of tasty food in the van we were ready for a real meal. We went to the Safeway deli and got sandwiches and sodas.  Then we leapfrogged along and I think saw each of Van 2's runners at least once, except Lisa because I was getting my blisters doctored up. :( Sorry Lisa. We gave them some cowbell support and were impressed with each of them. We had some speedy and dedicated runners!

Finish:
We all gathered back together at Tempe Town Lake.  Our families were there and it is always great to see them! The only problem is that it brings you back to reality and you start realizing just how physically and mentally tired you are! Logan showed up in his blue morph suit and it cracked me up! I'm glad he gets in to the spirit of Ragnar! Brianna also loves Ragnar and we picked her out a cute purple "Ragnarian" tee shirt that she wears with pride. Lyndsee got a nose bleed and got to visit the medical tent...

Soon Jody came in running strong! We got our car stickers and cool medals, our pictures taken and then, in a sort of anti-climatic way, it's over. The end usually makes me sad. I don't know what could be done to make it better, but I never really like the finish.

High points of Ragnar 2012:
An Amazing Team! I loved everyone. My van mates were Karen, Lindy, Kecia, Wendi and Sarah. This was Wendi's first Ragnar, I recruited her and I'm so glad I did! She was super fun and supportive. I can see why she's a good teacher; she has such a clear view of things in life that matter and so easily can dismiss the things that don't, and never dwells on anything negative.  I had never been in the van with Kecia so it was also fun to get to know her better. She's fast! And funny. And I was impressed with her on so many levels, as an athlete, a mom, a teacher. What a woman! I could go on about everyone, but these were the two new girls to me this year. Of course Lindy, Karen and Sarah are BLINGtastic as well!

Our Pink Clothes - How cute are we in our hot pink and black! Let's all keep collecting more hot pink and black for next year. I like how we are still unique but cohesive and look like a team.

Great Food - Kecia's monster cookies! String cheese, candy, pb & honey sandwiches, diet coke and so much more! Yes we had too much, but I don't know what I would have given up.

Hotel - It's totally worth paying for the hotel for the warm shower and soft bed, even if it is just for a very few minutes.


Regrets of Ragnar 2012:
Not everyone at the start - I really missed not having everyone together at the start line. It made sense logistically, but the start line is so much more fun than the finish! The adrenaline and team spirit are pumping. Next year I hope we can all be together.

Everyone laughing with Lisa (or at....?)

Not enough time with Van 2 - Maybe it was because I had just finished running when we met up with Van 2 but I felt like I hardly saw them. I had planned on at least cheering Lisa on (she was the first runner) but it felt like there was never time. If we wanted to go have a meal

Later start/heat - It was hotter this year for sure! If we had started later the heat would have been better for Van 1 but then I guess Van 2 just would have had to deal with it.  I'm torn on if I like the later start better or not, it would have been nice to be done with our night runs two hours earlier...but it was nice to have two extra hours of sleep on Friday morning. Something to think about for next year.

We didn't win - Last year there was only one team in the division we entered this year. I had hoped to win, but didn't know who our competition was! There were some fast "babes" out there. Now we know who they are and we will be on the lookout next year. We lost at least 10 minutes because we were late for exchanges, luckily that didn't affect our finishing position but that can't happen if we want to win! :)

On the other hand, we did win! We all got to the start relatively healthy, injury free and well trained! I was proud of everyone's performance and would feel priviliged to run with them again! Thanks for the memories ladies! Until next year.

Ragnar Relay 2012

Leg One
7 miles at noon. 7:35 pace. So so so hot. Nothing pretty to look at for distraction. Really kind of an ugly leg. Am I being negative? Anyone out there have Leg 3 and find it beautiful???

Leg Two
6.5 miles at 11:00 pm. 8:39 pace. Enjoyed the cool night air. Wore short sleeve shirt and tights. And gloves. Tried to wear our light-up hair dreads to run, but it started to feel too tight on my head a few miles in. Took it off. Enjoyed the mile or so of trail. It was so dark I had to keep looking for red blinking lights that marked the trail. I did this same trail last year. It seemed easier this year after my experience running trails with Aravaipa. I have developed my trail legs a little. Listened for the cowbells. There were my beautiful sweat sisters! They took the dreads back from me. Felt completely alone for most of the night run. Didn’t even see another runner til the last mile and a half. Then I finally saw and passed 3 or 4 people. Didn’t take any wrong turns this year. Didn’t add extra mileage to my run. Always enjoy the night run.

Leg Three
9 miles at 9am. 7:58 pace. Warm but okay. Scenic route. Pleasant. Unsupported run. There were 2 aide stations. I passed up the first one and filled my bottle at the second one. Ate 2 gels. Passed allot of people. One guy really tried to not let me pass him. But I won the battle. Enjoyed this leg.

Van One:
Sarah, Karen, Me, Wendi, Kecia, Cynthia

Van Two:
Lisa, Kellie, Jeanne, Barb, Julie, Jody

Our Ragnar Virgins (no longer!):
Wendi, Kellie, Jeanne, Julie, Jody

Favorite Van Food:
Kecia’s Monster Cookies, Hot sauce Pringles, Peanut Butter on Cynthia’s homemade bread, sweet tart jelly beans, bagels and cream cheese, string cheese.

Restaurant experience this year:
Olive Garden. Friday night. Lots of quality carbs!

Favorite on the run food:
My runs were supported by GU

Favorite cheering sound:
Cowbells, couldn’t get enough

Favorite “Light up the night” item:
Our pink coil dreads with blinky lights
(Sarah ran with hers, very cool!)

Favorite competitors out there:
I liked the Disco Van. There were 12 guys in one big van and they were fully decked out in disco outfits and jewelry.

I will post a few more pictures soon...Great year! Thanks General Bling (Cynthia) and all the Cool Running Gals on the Team!!!