Ragnar Weekend - Some things

One year ago, I agreed to sign up on a team of 12 to run a 200-ish mile relay race. At the time of sign up, I had known most of these people for maybe 15 hours. Two days ago, 12 former strangers, now friends, stuffed into two Honda Minivans of 6 people each, and ran/drove our hearts out from Blaine to Langley. Never have I ever experienced something quite like a Ragnar Relay.

Van 1: Charlie and his angels 

Van 2: Team Captain and his posse

A few thoughts and things I've learned along the way.

Running is multi-dimensional. It is unifying, gratifying, satisfying, liberating. It is also frustrating, challenging, difficult, and maddening. Running teaches you to reach beyond your current, pre-defined boundaries, and expand your world. Running opens up possibilities to new people, new experiences, and new challenges.

Things I've learned this past weekend - 

Ragnar people are crazy... but they are also serious. Everyone just loves to run. 

There is no such thing as a "typical" Ragnarian - Young, old, big, small, thin, large, fast, slow, moderate.  It doesn't matter. If you run, you are a runner. PERIOD.

Ragnar official t-shirts run REAL small. Size up. Trust us.

People love drawing on cars with paint markers. 

I can only draw sticks and circles. And checks!

People love drawing dirty things on cars. So wrong.

Some talented artists have the ability to create.. flying fish.. out of said wrong objects.

The nicest person on your team will have the most roadkill, and proclaim herself a"murderer" - with a smile, of course

People have no problem sleeping on the ground in strange places. Like very fit homeless people.

Your feet, they will stink. A lot.

Runners stink. A lot.

You will chafe. A lot. 

You will gladly poop in porta-potties. Desperate times. 

You may not wash your hands with actual soap and water for an entire day. You will care/not care.

A hot shower in a random high school gymnasium will never feel better.

If you forget soap, shampoo will double up as body wash in a pinch. 

If your husband forgets his towel, you may need to shower first and then pass along a maybe very damp towel, and neither of you will think it's weird.

You will think your $8 spaghetti dinner is the best things you've ever eaten, even better than that steak at Asado. 

The spaghetti plate will come with the world's most delicious boxed yellow cake with chocolate frosting. You may ask your husband to go snag you an extra piece.

It is not easy but it is very satisfying, to be on the same Van team as your husband.

You will bicker a lot with said husband but then always get his back, especially when he needs a little extra help on his longest leg.

You might even suggest holding hands while running #notreal

Living on very little sleep and an overload of carbohydrates make for a deadly combo. #toot

Ibuprofen and ice packs will be your best friend. So will Tums.

Wait. No, deodorant will be your best friend. 

Lack of sleep, and night gear will make you act weird

Providing water to your fellow runners will be very important

It's ok to be grumpy sometimes. We all understand, especially when we go to the wrong exchange, and make a thirsty runner wait for ten minutes. Whoops.

Hint: This did not happen to the runner on the LEFT.
A picture of happier times, just for reference.

Free pizza and beer will never taste more amazing.

When the festivities are over, everyone will want to get home asap, and everyone will need to play nice.
Don't be a jerk, ok?

Ferry Line Cutters are jerks, and should be called out. And will be called out. Team 160, we're talking to you!

Most fellow Ragnarians are not jerks, and you will find yourself randomly chatting with groups of people about various things, and even sharing your leftover pizza with a very grateful stranger.

Running really does bring people together.

This community is pretty amazing.

You will accomplish more than you've ever thought possible.

Living in a van with 6 people for two days will basically make you a family. 

It only takes 30 hours with 12 people to make a lifetime of memories.

​Ragnar Northwest Passage 2015
#ragnarnwp

Linda's legs:
1 - 5.7 miles.
2 - 4.5 miles.
3 - 3.1 miles.
4 - Extra 3.6-ish miles with J towards the end of his 8 mile 2nd leg.

Total miles: 17-ish miles DONE and DONE.

Team Beast Runners: 200-ish Miles!

Harry, we're (almost) there! And I'm clumsy

7/6: 4 miles, TM. 37 min. PM

7/7: Bootcamp. 25 min. 

7/8: Strength/Weights. 20 min

7/9: Rest

7/10: Rest

7/11: Rest

7/12: Rest

Totals:

Miles: 4

Strength: 2

Run days: 1 

Rest: 4

Well. This week looks different, right? 

 Started the week off strong at least. I wanted to squeeze in a couple more miles but dinner (and the family) were all waiting for me so I stopped at 4 sweaty miles. 

After a vacation related hiatus by D,  we met at 5 for Bootcamp. I think we were both very tired still because our workout felt both very difficult but at a sub par effort level. 

Now here's where it gets stupid interesting. After finishing my workout, I was running up the stairs to jump in the shower when I somehow missed a step and my ankle twisted at a very odd, cringeworthy angle. I spent the next few minutes writhing in pain and cursing .. Everything? Nothing? I was able to hobble up the rest of the stairs on my knees and reluctantly got ready for work.

TBC...

It's now Tuesday before Ragnar, and my ankle is definitely sore. I have been mindful to not bear too much weight on my left (injured) side, and I've not run since last Minday. I'm getting more nervous that I won't be able ton finish all 3 of my legs. I am clearly not planning on breaking any speed PRs this weekend but I was certainly hoping to maintain an even pace for the team. 

But, I can only do so much given the current circumstances. I'm pissed at myself for being so clumsy, but I guess that's why they call these things accidents. I'll spend the next couple of days nursing my ankle, and I can just hope for the best. 

Wishes for a speedy recovery!

Also, Ragnar in 3 days!

Holy sh..

Another week. Nothing to see here, really

Week 6/29

6/29: 5 miles, TM. 46 min. PM workout 

6/30: MC Fit workout, 2 rounds 

7/1: 5 miles, TM. 46 min. AM

7/2: Bootcamp w/ D. AM

7/3: Rest

7/4: 8 miles, TM. 1:15. Strength 10 min.

7/5: 15 min XT circuit

Totals: 

Miles: 18

Run days: 3

Rest days: 1

Strength/xt: 3

Ragnar is two weeks away! I haven't had much chance to run outdoors in the heat because it's just way. too. hot outside when I get home feel work. Maybe other people are badass enough to run in 90+ degree evening heat, but I am not one of those people. My 5 miles on the treadmill on Monday felt like a sauna run (sweater than hot yoga!) and my morning treadmill run on Wednesday didn't feel that much cooler. I figure while I'm not training much on actual roads and hills and terrain, I'm kind of heat training since I'm stuck in an airless garage without a fan. 

So much sweat, guys. Like the guy in the movie Airplane

I had hoped to break the 20 miles mark this week but I wasn't able to squeeze in two measly miles on Sunday. The most i had time for before church was a quick body weight circuit. 

Confession: I was still in pj's and was able to finish the workout without even putting on a bra. Sure, I guess I did have the time to run a quick 2 treadmill miles but would have required some support, I know this is foreign to anyone not a -A cup but sometimes I take the way easier route ok? 

I went out to dinner last night with a group of girlfriends, and a friend of mine was lamenting how right now she was the biggest she's ever been. She clarified that she knows she is not really "big" but big for her. Her clothes don't fit the same, and she is smaller chested so her shirts cling to the first thing that sticks out - her stomach! When she admitted this to me, I felt like I had found my kindred spirit of body struggles. I know I'm close to 40. I know they say your body changes incredibly around this time in your life. I'm ready to embrace 40 (I have a little time, don't you worry) but I'm not 100% with this new body of mine. Yes, I'm definitely more fit than I used to be, and i have some muscles hiding underneath here somewhere but I think I just have to come to accept that I, too, am just "the biggest I've ever been". 

I am sure some people reading this willwant to punch me through the computer screen, but this is MY struggle. I do expect anyone to really understand or empathize because I know I'm not actually big, or unhealthy. I am normal and healthy.

Who wouldnt wish for these things right?

Like I tell myself, and those around me, gotta love everything God gives us. I am thankful for this body, and I make it a priority to work out and sweat it out, because I can!

The mind and the body, always a work in progress.