Ragnar Relay NW Passage 2012

Friday I will join my team, "Smells Like Team Spirit" for my 3rd year running Ragnar Relay.  The first year I had just ran a Marathon and wasn't scared of the distance at all, last year I had only ran a half marathon but weighed less and was a lot speedier than the previous year.  Like went from a 9:30 pace to running an 8 minute pace, WHAT?!?!  I was shocked that I ran that fast for as long as I did...never been done before and has yet to be done since.  Ragnar makes you do crazy things...like run faster than ever.  This year...well you know, running hasn't been my focus so I am a little worried, but also I know I will do it.  It will just hurt and be a tab bit harder...but it will all be worth it.  It's a great team and I love spending a crazy, sleepless 24-hours with them.  I figured I have 2.5 hours of running but the rest is a breeze!

2010
Smells Like Team Spirit

2011
Smells Like Team Spirit

I am in Van #2 and runner #9 (same as last year).  Sometimes ignorance is bliss, right!  Knowing what I have to run is good and bad.  Having my last leg be the longest and hardest, NOT GOOD!  But I'm trying not to think about that, right now!  Maybe being slower will make leg #3 easier since I pushed so hard last year or maybe it will still suck and make me question why the heck I do these crazy things.

Want to see what I will be running?  Of course you do!

Run #1

6.1 Miles

Any run that starts downhill is always a treat and gives me a speedy start (thank you adrenaline)!  It's beautiful to run by the lake and then flatten out until the finish.  It will be hot, but it will be my first run and my legs will feel fresh and I will be pumped up.  

Run #2 

(Middle of the night)

2.7 Miles

This runs ok.  It's flat and short and very quiet.  Last year I was solo the entire time, no one passed me and I saw no one!  Strange.  Night runs are really cool, but this one is through town so it's not as peaceful as my first year night run, read here.

Run#3

Longest, Hardest and the last one...NICE!  No, not really...

6.8 Miles (lovely up-hill)

This is the mother of all runs!  It wouldn't be if I was only running this one leg, but this will be my very last.  I will be exhausted, my body will not want to run at all and it will have to.  Last year I got passed so much on this leg and I felt slower than molasses.  Luckily I have the STEEP downhill to look forward to at the end where I will be thrilled to be done.

See look how excited I was after leg #3 last year!  

Ragnar is a blast!!!  The running can be hard, but it's all worth it in the end (I think).  Can't wait to show you our team picture for 2012 and the bling to go with it!  Ragnar does give the best bling!

See...

2011

2010

 *Check out my post with TIPS for packing and training for a relay that I wrote after my first Ragnar Relay here!