- I have a ragnover. I didn’t know this word until earlier in this week, but this is what I have and I don’t know when it will subside because it’s pretty fierce. A week ago, I was filled with nerves on the eve of the start of my first ever Ragnar Relay, and here I am, less than a week after crossing the finish line so ready to do it all over again.
- We went to Arizona to run Ragnar del Sol. Arizona in February was a brilliant idea. Flew away from winter towards sunshine and cacti. Bliss.
- I was completely overcome with nerves before we hit the starting line. My training hadn’t gone as I had planned, and though I knew that my legs of the relay maxed out at about six miles per, I had been hoping to have more mileage in the bank before the weekend. Unfortunately, shin splints + real life consumed several months of autumn for me and I just started late. I had prepped as well as I could, but I was still convinced that I should have more miles, that I would be hurting.
- I was runner six in van one – which meant that even once we got started, I had to watch five teammates get out there and kick some serious butt before it was my turn. I was so eager to get started! When it was my turn, I took off way too fast for the heat, and while I ended up getting a PR for those first two miles (according to Garmin), I was not looking great three miles in. I was hot. I was tired. And I didn’t want to run anymore. I was so mad at myself for how I felt – and I was feeling deflated. I let myself down.
- That pace ended up being about 12 seconds per mile faster than my predicted time – so it wasn’t a fail. And when I crossed the finish line sweaty and goosebumpy, my team steered me towards the shade and brought me a cold can of coconut water to drink. It helps. (I would not have enjoyed this experience if I hadn’t had such an awesome team – if you’re going to spend 30+ hours in a van, make sure you like the people.)
- Waiting for our next legs seemed to fly. Our van two was a team we didn’t know, and so when they were running, we ate dinner, changed clothes, and all that good stuff. In retrospect, maybe we could have made a better use of our time (Sleeping might have been a good idea), but it’s hard to when you’re all keyed up and ready to just GO GO GO.
- I ran my second leg, accompanied by members of my team (I told you they were great) at midnight. I’ve never run at midnight before. All I could think about for some reason was a milkshake…
- According to my Fitbit, I didn’t sleep at all during the Relay. I believe it.
- Not sure how I find the energy for the third leg – which was hilly and crazy. When I approached the finish, I was so excited to see the team waiting and ready to run to the finish and turn things over to van two to get things done. It wasn’t my fastest pace ever – but I felt SO GOOD about that stretch. I felt STRONG.
- I didn’t expect to love the Ragnar experience as much as I did, but oh my gosh, it was amazing. Already planning out the next one? You better believe it.
Thursday Ten: This Must Be a Ragnover edition
February 15, 2018 by Leave a Comment
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