Ragnar x's 2...CAPCoasters

Unfortunately I didn’t take any photos of the most fun section of the ragnar experience…the middle of the night runs.  But you didn’t miss much since it was pitch black, except for some reflective vests, head and butt lamps.  We weren’t the stylish people around, but we were safe, and that’s all that matters!

2:00am, (or something like that…) I took off on my 3.8 mile leg.  It was a beautifully clear evening, the stars were AMAZING as we ran through neighborhoods, and down little town streets.  I was so at peace, and so happy b/c I was cruising at a low 8min pace.  THEN the fast teams had started catching up to us, so I’m getting passed (killed in ragnar terms) by 1,2,3,4,5 guys. WHAT?  I had to check my watch like 35 times, they had to have been going low 7’s, oh well, one day I will be as fast as them…until then, I’ll be happy with my 8:20ish pace.

 

Pace. Well as for pace, I am not very consistent, as you can see from my chart below.  Seriously?  I need to get a hold of myself and get this in check. 

I wasn't listening to any music, apparently this is just the rhythm of my heart.

SPASTASTIC

 

Yay 2 runs down, one more to go!  After our van rocked all our legs we had to wait for the other van (who overslept) to get to the exchange.  We could have been nice and run their first leg for them, but decided we didn’t mind waiting, and we will just take a little rest.  After the first van came to our rescue, headed in search of food at 4:00am.  Denny’s it is!  I had a nice big strawberry waffle.  YUM! Then after that we headed to the final exchange where a few of us decided to head out in the mist and find a grassy noll.  And out we went for 2 hours.

I was woken up to the sound of port-o-pottie doors slamming. Oh the sweet sounds of RAGNAR.

 

By this point we were down near UCSD, getting ready for all our final legs, we were exhausted, kind of hungry and ready for a shower.  Anyways the first two guys rocked it, then I take off.  Sorry Scott, I appreciated you hard run on the leg before but I needed to get in the zone and find a bathroom.  Luckily there was one not too far up.  Score!

 

i surprisingly never hit a wall.  Although the last 2 miles where on a very crowded boardwalk, where by the end of it i was exhausted from dodging people. when this sign came up, I was thrilled.

 

I’m not sure how I did it, but I did, 11.1 miles on very little sleep, and very little food.  But it was great.  I lucked out with a pretty run along the water, through Ocean Beach and down around the marina.  I had one main climb about 4-5 miles in, where I just walked part of the hill b/c it was too steep and my running wasn’t much faster.  When I made it to the top, I made up for the walking by cruising downhill.

 

ELEVATION. not much of it. thank goodness. except for when i got shot up into outer space in that last little blip.  not sure what the heck happened there...

 

lights and a hill

  

After my leg, my van mates were kind enough to let me wipe up a bit and change out of my nasty clothes.  then we headed off into the fog to find mr. roger.  There was way too much traffic, so superhero scott jumped up out ran a through and with our ragnar safety flag and got us moving.

 Then I hopped out of the van, all dressed up to give him some gatorade. 

 

not sure what i was laughing at...we were delirious by this part.

 then decided it would be fine to stop and take a picture. i guess we weren't trying to win it, why not?

so thankful to be a part of this amazing group of individuals.

 overcome with happiness...WE DID IT!

 

me and roger, my awesome van buddy!

not sure the face i'm making...embarrassing. 

 

overall one of the my most amazing experiences in my life.

can't wait to do it again...one day.

 

ragnar. the first 20hrs...

I was randomly asked if I wanted to run in a 200 mile relay, and without hesitation, I said yes.  The 12man team I joined was a group of Board members of the Children's Abuse Prevention Center.  They were all raising money for the organization which was awesome!  I went in with the mindset of knowing I had 3 legs, all of which I knew I could easily run...4.9, 4, and 11.1.  I didn't take into consideration all the things that would make those miles insanely hard...not eating/sleeping

We got picked up at 3:00AM Friday morning to make it to Huntington in time for the 5:00am start.  They start you based on the average pace of your team, seeing as we got one of the first times we were on the slower side...perfect.

our rock star runner was in the blue long sleeve shirt, he started us off great, we were in 1st after his leg...

 

our van

 I was in van 2, so we had a long rest time in between legs.  We thought it would be fun to dress up for our first runner.  Thanks to Sue, we all had awesome super hero costumes...

 

these flowers were right before my run.  i was trying to find peace.  My first leg was around 1:00pm in Corona, a hot inland city.  The heat index for the day was at 110-gross!  Since my first leg was only 4.9 miles, i figured no worries I don't need van support.  They even came by me twice and I just waved them off, little did I know the heat would creep into my soul and destroy me.  See my pace chart below...Luckily just when i was melting into the sidewalk a team of angels came by and squirted me with a super soaker and woke me up.  Thank You friendly team that i don't remember, you saved my life.

 

Thank you Garmin to show how amazingly horrible i did on my first leg :)

soooo, street lights were my downfall, i hit a long one in the first mile, and a bunch in the last two, as you can see....the one downfall of ragnar, stopping at lights. 

 this was earlier...i just cut myself out of it b/c of course i'm the awk one on the side.  i just figured i needed a picture after my complaining.

i'm weird...

 this may have been the hottest time during the day...this is right before one of our girls took off...little did we know that she would get super dizzy, and dangerously close to a heat stroke.  I jumped out and ran with her for the last mile to make sure she was ok.  Unfortunately according to ragnar rules, if I jumped in for her, I would have to do her other two legs, which would have been too big of a commitment for my lazy self.  She made it out safe and sound, our next runner wasn't so lucky. He had a 10 mile leg, in the 110 heat, we lost our most experienced runner to a heat stroke. :( but on a positive note, I actually saw him this weekend at the PCRF half, and he's back to his super quick pace. anyways...that about sums up our first day....CRAZY!

beach-->snow-->desert-->birthday!

I loved being home right around my birthday...mom's cookie cake is the best on the planet.

this is from a walk one morning with my momma. :)
one thing i miss. (besides my family and all the humans back home...) old oak trees, and moss covered streets.

my first day back at work was my birthday...my team is amazing and decorated it super cute in Minnie Mouse colors :)

For the weekend, we packed up and headed east to the desert.

We started at the pacific, seeing the waves, and headed over the snow covered mountains (see below) into the gorgeous desert. 

only in california

and over the mountains, we found our campsite.  We could see the snow clouds right over the mountains, so crazy.

springtime in the desert...

  

 

a man and his car.

 

we had some close encounters with the desert folk/creatures. 

 

 

  

 

happy birthday to me.

thanks jor, brent and chels for the great weekend in anza :) 

Blurry...

The scariest flight of my life..

 

mom, kris and I bringing kurt from the AT to the ICU <3

 

After driving by this place multiple times, we had to give in.

best ice cream ever!

 

My dad's welcome home sign.

I couldn't be more thankful for The Village.  It was such a blessing to have everyone's support and love.  I now realize and appreciate how amazing it is to have such a close knit neighborhood family.  <3 the village!

 

After dad was home safe and sound mom and i deserved a sweet little treat.

 This picture was taken one of our first Easters in the Seff..
Being back in the same house for Easter was a blessing this year.  We were only missing Kurtie, who was there with us in ivideo spirit.

 

the world coming back into focus. 

life is good.

 

Life is too short to not appreciate every minute!