Ragnar Northwest Passage

I'm FINALLY blogging again!! Hopefully this will last...

I can't possibly begin to go back and fill in the gaps of where life has taken Brad and I over the past 2 years so I'm not even going to try. But, there have been a few highlights that must be captured, and today I'm starting with Ragnar!

For anyone actually reading this who doesn't know, Ragnar is a relay race that spans 190-200 miles, and is completed by a team of up to 12 people. I have always been interested in participating in one, and the opportunity finally presented itself this year. Brad and I were both able to be a part of the team and it was an incredible experience! The race involves running (of course), mixed in with eating, chatting, sleeping (sort of), eating, and lots of fun. We had two vans of runners (6 in each) so each van completed 6 legs and then rested while the other van did 6 and so forth, until we finished all 36 legs. It took us about 31 hours to complete.

Ragnar was definitely the most physically challenging thing I've ever done. We basically each ran a leg (between 3 and 9ish miles) roughly every 12 hours until we were done with the race. So in just under 24 hours I ran 14 miles and Brad ran 18 miles. As challenging as it was, we were both on a runner's high for days after we finished (I also ran Ragnar in my dreams every night for days, so poor Brad got woken up at least once a night for two weeks). It was so awesome to complete a challenge I had worked hard to prepare for, and one of my favorite moments was having Trish hug me at the end and tell me how proud she was of me. No matter how old I get, I'll always be the little sister looking up to my big sis, and it felt good to work together and make her proud.

It was also so amazing to be able to run with Brad and cheer each other on. It was such a bonding experience. I love that we were able to start running together, and that we've now been able to complete two races together. We are definitely hoping we get to do it again!

We did our best to capture the essence of the "Shoe Flies" team name with our coordinating bug glasses, antennae, and socks.

Decking out the Vans for our adventure

Race Day Morning!!

Van 1 at the starting line (Christy did not realize she was missing a lens from her bug glasses)

Trish leading the charge as Runner 1

Heading out as Runner 2

Finishing Leg 1 -- Still looking happy :)

Brad and I after my first leg

 

Christy handing off to Brad for his first leg

 

Maren gearing up for her first big run!

The handoff

Brad showing off his "Kills"

The sister High Five

Handing off to Jen for her second leg

Handoff for Leg 3!!!

Brad being silly before his final leg

The Ladies and Malcom (another team's mascot)

That's right! We survived and we're proud of it!!

At the finish line with the full crew