This year seemed completely different than the year prior, when it was overcast and cool the entire race. This year temperatures reached into the high 80's and was really not ideal for long distance running; however, we survived, though with lots of stomach aches and just generally feeling pooped that first day. The second day was much cooler and we had heavy fog all through the morning which worked out beautifully. As our entire team finished the race the sun was just breaking through - perfection!
Oh, one major wrench in my race this year was what happened to me on my very first of the three legs I ran. 3 miles into my run (on that hot day) I felt a "snap" in my lower calf, just above my Achilles tendon, and I was no longer able to run. My van support was still a half mile away and I was only able to limp along. Thankfully a bicyclist stopped and offered help. I sent her on up ahead of me to find my van and have them come get me. In the meantime I continued to hobble along and then did a limp/run thing so that when the van came by I didn't want to stop so I waved them on and just kept on going for the rest of the race (about 4 miles). My teammates stopped frequently to give me water and offer morale support. It was the longest, most frustrating 4 miles I've ever run (I was completely pissed off that this happened, and so early in the race). I knew that I had about 8 more miles to go before the end of the race and I would not put that burden on anybody in my van. I would find a way to run it, even if my time was super slow.
As it turns out one of our "new" team members this year is also a physical therapist and she knew just what to do to keep me going. We bought some special tape, I stretched and then she taped my calf up and I felt so much better; not perfect, but able to continue. As a result of tearing my calf muscle my overall pace was off by more than 2 minutes per mile, but I did run all of my legs and I still managed to pass some other runners along the way.
The very beginning. We are all so excited!
Emily lead our team as runner #1 and she rocked each of her runs!
Me just prior to the start of my first leg (see that happy smile!).
Me finishing up that first leg (see that grumpy face).
Lisa, the awesome PT van mate. She was so excited just to be at Ragnar that she made us all super happy too.
The original Lisa. I want her long beautiful legs.
Laura is so buff! She's actually kind of scaring me in this picture. I don't think I'd want to run into her in a dark alley at night. :-)
Just before the start of leg #2 - which was so so beautiful. We ran through farm country at sunset. So perfect.
Water support!
Other runners were so nice - giving high fives to strangers. Really we are all a big family out there suffering through our crazy need to push ourselves while calling it "fun" - which it was, lots and lots of fun.
Shannon is a consistently strong runner. I cried on her shoulder last year just before my last leg that had a "major" big hill. Shannon had that hill this year and ate it up! She's amazing.
The end of our last leg and passing of the baton to van #2 runners. Sommer was crazy excited (as usual) - such an awesome team captain!
We are done! Hanging around at the finish line, waiting for van #2 to finish.
Exhaustion finally set it.
Some teams really dressed up in elaborate costumes! (Yes the guy in white is wearing an adult diaper... ouch! The chaffing had to have been horrible.)
This team shared a little booty along the way. This always caused me to take a double-take each time I saw them running.
Here's my leg 24 hours after the initial injury happened. Ouch!
Despite the heat, and the ailments that came from it for everyone, and despite my injury and slow time we managed to take 1st place for the women's open division!!! That was so awesome. Can't wait until next year's race. :-)
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