<< Third Leg #HowTheWestWasRun
Ragnar Napa was an amazing experience. Like, I was super fortunate for the lovely ladies from #RagNoirSistahs to allow me into the running fold. I mean, super fortunate. I had no idea what I was getting into, and honestly, as it was happening, I was pretty damn clueless. But through it all, I had a community of awesome women right beside me.
Ragnar Napa was an amazing experience. Like, I was super fortunate for the lovely ladies from #RagNoirSistahs to allow me into the running fold. I mean, super fortunate. I had no idea what I was getting into, and honestly, as it was happening, I was pretty damn clueless. But through it all, I had a community of awesome women right beside me.
Like super awesome. So much
so, there were 2 teams. I got the unique and distinct pleasure of running with
23 other fabulous females! I can’t wait to do it again. Really. *neck
scratch*
Uh, when we signing up for the next one boss?
Trust. If you don’t trust any
other process, you HAVE to trust that this is going to work. A Ragnar Relay
isn’t something you can figure out from a website. It’s not even something you
can piecemeal from survivor testimonies. You literally HAVE to be there. The
Ragnar experience works. It really does. Your leg is hard because that’s the
best part of it. It’s supposed to be hard. Because, what will you tell those
who come after you?
Communication. For a
person like me who oscillates between not being in touch with her feelings and not
wanting to talk about them, sharing a SUV on a 36 hour relay isn’t exactly the
best place to be…at all. You have got to talk to people. I was so disappointed
when I rolled my ankle. I got the team super off pace. I could hardly walk. It
was hot as Summer Jam in Hell, and quite frankly I was over it. Runner12 asked
me if I was going to get out of the SUV to greet the next runner in. I finally
shared with her that I was afraid to put any weight on my leg. She then asked
me what I needed. I almost said nothing. But I was honest with myself, then
with her. I need some ice. I’m afraid it’s
going to swell. I’m not sure why I was even hesitant to say something. But,
she came back with ice and a smile. #NamingMyNeedsIsSoHard
Plan. You’ve got to have a
plan. Like you need to anticipate all of your potential needs because once you
get out there, that’s it bro. As I was packing my clothes in my gallon zip lock
baggies with dryer sheets, I came across my ankle compression sleeve. I thought
to myself, you never know, might as well and
nonchalantly packed it. When my teammates from Van 1 were checking in on me,
one mentioned, how’s your ankle? Oh, you must have ankle issues come up? To
which I replied, well, not since I
had the bad sprain a couple of years ago. I’m not even sure why I packed it
because I haven’t used it – glad I did tho.
Just Run. Like
seriously. There is nothing else you need to do other than what you signed up
to do. Run! Everybody around you is doing it. Go as fast as your body will
allow you, and enjoy every second of it. Because once you pass that slap
bracelet to the next person, you are going to miss it – almost instantly. And
there aren’t any mile markers out there anyway, so you’re not even going to
know where you are in your leg…until you hit that “One Mile To Go” sign…so you
might as well get there as quickly as you can. #CatchMeIfYouCan
#MostPeopleDid
Fun. If you don’t know how
to have fun, then don’t bother. There was so much. From the hilariously
decorated vans. To the smiling faces at the exchanges. The super creative
costumes. And the upbeat attitudes. This is first and foremost for fun! If you
can’t get over your issues (minor ankle boo-boo) and
find some happy, then you’re just wasting your time. It’s one of the things you
have to pay to do this. You have to pay in cash money and laughs. Both are due.
Like at the finish line. When you’re spent. And the host plays “Tootsie Roll”
as your team comes in. Effin Turn The Eff Up! Worry about your woes on the ride
home.
I’m always so surprised by what
these running experiences teach me. It’s like I’m waiting on it to fail me.
Like I’m going to get out here and somehow at the end of it, I’m going to
seriously think this was the worst thing I ever did.
Crazy. Let’s face it. 36 hour
running relay? We’re all a little bit crazy to do it. Then plan to do it again. #2016
#TheYearOfRagnar #StraightRunningSoCal #WeGotMilesOnIt
#15ThingsIn2015 Challenge
5 new states (Louisiana – 1 down, 4 to
go) #iShouldWorkOnThisOne
4 new friends (OldieButNewbie #RunningHubby; My Child; WickedWineRunCrew (6
people!); Ragnar Napa Valley (10 people!) – 18 down, -12 to go)
3 new running events (Shamrock Half; St
Charles Road Race; Orange County Half; Wicked Wine Run; Ragnar Napa Valley – 5
down, -2 to go)
2 back-to-back running events (Rock N Roll San Jose 5K & Half; Ragnar Napa Valley – 1.5,
0.5 to go)
1 Half Marathon PR (Rock N Roll San Diego! 6 minutes! – 1 down, 0 to go)
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