So, a few months back, my cousin Heidi mentioned that the Ragnar Northwest Passage Race was starting the day our family reunion ended, and it ran right by her house. She invited all interested parties to run it and I was in! For those unfamiliar with Ragnar, it is a 36 hour, 200 mile, 12 man relay race. Me and 10 of my closest cousins jumped in to do it. Okay fine, it was 9 cousins, one spouse, and 2 friends, but believe me, by the end, we were all close cousins!
I was in Van 1, and what with all the coordinating and stuff, we had to leave the reunion a day early. I left on Thursday at 1pm and got to drive to Heidi's house with her family. Squished in her little car with 5 kids for 7 hours. Good times! We got to Heidi's house about 8pm. By the time we got everything settled and the others met up with us, it was pretty late. I had Applebee's takeout for dinner and we didn't get to our hotel till 1 in the morning. Once at the Day's Inn, we discovered they had booked us 2 rooms with King beds.... for the 6 of us. And there were no rollaway beds. And no other rooms. That kind of sucked. 2 slept on the floor and 4 of us shared the 2 king beds. We had to be up by 7 and on the road soon after. We needed to be at the 8:30 safety brief and we were late. We got checked in and gaped at some of the outrageous costumes people planned to run in. My favorite... a guy wearing nothing but an adult diaper and angel wings, carrying a small bow and arrow.
I was not feeling so hot. I was feeling pretty awful. I'd gone to bed with a headache and woken up with one, but as we hung out waiting for our 9:30 start time, I was starting to feel distinctly pukey as well. Just super. I headed to the portopotty (or, the Honey Buckets as they were called.) Unfortunately, I did not lock the door all the way and was mortified, in addition to panicking over whether or not I was going to explode from either end. Ultimately, I produced nothing but dry heaves. I went back out and we cheered Cynthia on as she left the starting line. I was runner #6, so I was the last in our van to run, and that gave me several hours to sort out just how ill I was. (Stupid Applebee's take out!!) We cheered on our runners, drove to the spots they asked us to for water and cheers, and made our way to the exchanges. At the exchange, the next runner waits for the previous runner and they trade off like a relay, but rather than a baton, you get a gross, sweat-slicked slap bracelet. Most of our first legs were longer runs- 6-8 miles, and we covered 37 miles between the 6 of us.
I was incredibly stressed out. I felt awful and I was so worried I was going to let my team down, and I hadn't even started running!! Finally, just after exchange 5 when we sent off the runner just before me, I hit the Honey Bucket and puked my guts out. I am not a dainty puker, and this was full body heaving, producing full-splatter sprays of vomit. It was ugly. For anyone who used the last potty on that exchange, I apologise. Profusely. I really do. It was no fun for me, and I had it all down my legs and feet. Yeah, sorry, I know that was TMI. I did wipe down the seat and that area, but what was I going to do about the floor, short of hosing it down?
On the plus side, I did feel better. I had about 40 minutes to get ready for my run, and I was a bit concerned, since I now had an empty stomach and still wasn't feeling great, and I had 6.5 hard miles to run! Yikes! I drank a protein shake (thanks Dan M!!) and some NingXia Red and told myself that even if I ended up crawling my leg I'd at least have given it my best. And really, what was the worst that could happen? I mean, aside from yakking in the bushes or needing to drop trou in someones yard for an emergency bowel evacuation?
It was a warm day. 90 degrees? I left for my run around 1/1:30pm and it was hot and sunny with no shade. Yes, I did get sunburned. The first 2 miles were just slogging and telling myself that if I wasn't vomiting or experiencing explosive diarrhea, then I could do it. And it got better. I didn't get lost, I didn't walk (okay, I had to stop for 3 stop lights and I walked the water break for 15 seconds!), and I finished feeling a whole lot better than when I started. What was really awesome, is that I ran 6.57 miles in 1:06:31, which is a good time for me when I'm feeling good!
The bad thing about being the last runner for your van is that everyone is ready to go and hungry, while you are sweaty and hot and gross and not hungry. We went to lunch. I was feeling a bit queasy still and only ate part of my lunch, but I put the rest in the cooler and I was amazed a few hours later just how good a cold omelet could taste! We headed to the high school that was the main exchange point with Van 2, and I decided sleep was better than a shower. I washed my face and changed my clothes and discovered I had a chafing issue. Who knew a sweaty bra band could rub you raw? ouch. We picked out spots on the gym floor and had maybe 90 minutes of rest before we had to get ready to run again.
It was 8:30pm when van 2 finished and we started the second leg. So it took us 11 hours to run the whole first leg. We had to wear night gear starting at 8pm. Everyone had to wear a reflective vest, and runners had to have a headlamp and blinky tail lamp in addition to the vest. It was dang cold too. I don't know the temp, but this girl is use to Louisiana temps and I was freezing! I got to do my run just before 1 in the morning. I started all bundled up- wore my hot pink leg compression sleeves, capris, and a fleece sweatshirt. The fleece came off about 2 miles into the run, and I was nice and warm when I finished. It went better than I expected. I hadn't had a lot to eat and was mainly going on NingXia Red, the omelet from lunch, and water. I did my 5.6 miles in 58:03 and I was happy with it. It was kind of fun running along in the dark. I was happy that I was not alone. I've had people tell me they were all alone during their night run and that might have been scarier, but we always had runners around- mostly passing me! It was comforting to see their blinky lights ahead and know I was on the right path. Van 1 did 33 miles for Leg 2.
I handed off to Ben in Van 2 maybe around 1:30. Heidi lived close to the next exchange, so we headed over there and were crashed on her floor by 2:30. We got to sleep till 7, but I was wide awake well before then. So I took a shower and, oh my! It was wonderful!
Interestingly enough, it was 8:30am when Van 2 handed off to Cynthia. It had taken us 12 hours to complete Leg 2. It was an overcast looking, foggy, chilly morning- perfect for running! Most of our third legs were shorter runs, and we blew through them pretty quick. Except for Heidi, runner #4, had a hideous run of 8 mountainous miles. On the plus side, this was right by her house and she runs those hills regularly. She rocked the run. On the downside, Van 2 had a hamstring injury so runner #7 was walking. My third leg was 2.4 miles. Since it was so short, I volunteered to run through the exchange and run his first mile and a half. Yes, I know that technically that is not allowed. We weren't in it to win it, but we also didn't want to be there all night.
I think I started Leg 3 before noon.It was still gray and cold, and I wore my jacket right up till I left to run. I was chilled for the first mile, then warmed up nicely. I expected it to be dreadful, but it actually wasn't! I think my legs just decided they were beyond feeling and kept churning away. I did 4.18 miles in 40:13, and I was delighted by that. We handed off to Van 2, almost 2 miles into their leg. I was sad because I missed checking out a major exchange area and all the freebies and stuff that go with that, AND to add insult to injury, we traded out right by a beautiful beach. I would have LOVED to have walked the beach. But alas, as the last runner for the van, every minute I take up is less time for food and rest. On the plus side though, Van 2 gave me some awesome chocolate milk and I was happy. Sigh.
We drove to downtown Whidbey Island and it took forever to get lunch. I couldn't muster enough energy to be cross about it, or the inflated price of my meal. The amazing (and amazingly cheap!) ice cream we got later made my day. We went to Heidi's because we were DONE! We had just enough time to repack stuff and shower. We had an hour drive to the end of the race. We wanted time to check out the after party and whatnot before van 2 and the last runner arrived. We had a little bit of time before we met with the other van and waited together. Robert was the last runner (wearing his Swiss shirt!) and we all crossed the finish line together. Yes, Van 1 was fresh, clean and wearing flip flops, and it was less a run and more of a hobble, but we did it! Then it was pictures and posing with the medals.
We didn't waste time. It was just before 6pm that we finished. So.....32.5 hours or so to run 296 miles. We said farewell to Van 2 and Van 1 dashed off to the airport. Unfortunately, Whidbey Island really really needs a bridge. There was a 3 hour wait for the ferry, so we drove the hour and a half around the long way. It took us over 3 hours to get to the airport. We dropped Tin Tin off and went to our hotel. I was sharing the hotel room with Cynthia and Randy and their adorable cherub, Jude. When I went to check in, the desk clerk said, "We have you in a room with 1 king bed." WHAT?! I was dumbfounded. This was so not happening again. I was NOT sleeping on the floor! Fortunately, this was a Fairfield Inn, (And I really DID have a 2 queen reservation) and they switched rooms for me. We unloaded and decided we still needed dinner, so we (Heidi, Sara, Cynthia, Randy, Jude and I) were all enjoying a delicious dinner at IHOP at 10pm.
I crawled into my lovely hotel room at 11:30 and wanted to swoon from the joy of lying down and getting to sleep somewhere comfy. I slept like the dead. I heard Cynthia and Randy get up at 4 something but went right back too sleep till my alarm went off at 7. I was out waiting for the airport shuttle when I realized I could not find my boarding pass. And I discovered my water bottle had leaked all in my backpack and saturated everything. Super. Fortunately, I got on my flight and all was well!
It was an amazing experience. I loved having the chance to spend time with my cousins, and wish we'd spent more time with Van 2. Would I do it again? Absolutely! I'm already considering next year if I can work out the logistics, which is tough since we know we'll be moving next summer, but not where or when!
You are suppose to decorate your van. We aren't that creative, so we decorated our van with fun quotes.
15 minutes till the start! Sara, Heidi, Randy, Cynthia, me, and Tin-Tin. We're the Van 1 gang. Lucky Randy! (Randy is married to Cynthia.) Cynthia, Sara and Heidi are sisters, and my cousins. Tin-Tin is Sara's friend. We had a lot of fun together!
Cynthia was runner #1 and here she is, getting ready to go!
All the teams starting at 9:30. Some are more dressed up than others.
Cynthia, rocking the cape and looking good.
Hand-off at Exchange 1 complete. Run Randy, Run!
Sara just ran a miserable 8 miles of hills. She was a rock star and is so glad to be handing off to Heidi here.
Heidi is having too much fun on her runs. I think she is smiling in every photo I have of her.
Tin-Tin is looking awesome.
Between the hours of 8pm and 6:30am, everyone had to wear a reflective vest. The runners had to wear a headlamp and a blinky tail light. Randy is looking good!
So irresistible!
We're ready for Leg 2, our night run. Cyrus, from Van 1 (also my cousin!) is dashing in to hand off to Cynthia.
Hand off complete, and Cynthia is off. Look at that game face!
We got to see Van 2 for a few minutes. This is my cousin Liz in Van 2. She looks pretty perky, considering it has been a long day.
Our van was really good at supporting our runners. Here's Randy getting water to Cynthia during her run. I know when I was running, it was nice to have the van drive by cheering, and to get a water break and confidence boost.
This dog was just hanging out at this exchange. Just sitting there. He did not want to make friends, but would tolerate being pet. I don't know what his agenda was, but he apparently had one.
Van 2 has completed their night run and is done with Leg 2. Cyrus, in the amazing blue spandex, is handing off to Cynthia.
(Yeah, I know, I have the most pix of Cynthia. I was obviously better rested and more alert for her running. Sorry everyone else!)
We got to run by some lovely scenery. Washington state is really pretty, and Whidbey Island is incredibly scenic.
Heidi, heading up one of the numerous hills on her last run.... her 8 mile run.
While she ran, we took pictures! Isn't this pretty?
I realized I had no pictures of me. So here I am, tired, cold, and having a blast!
Check out this photo: beautiful scenery, awesome sign on the left, Heidi racing hard with a smile, and the other ladies having a ball with the orange flags. Yep, we're kind of amazing.
The flags were definitely a highlight of the race. Who knew you could have so much fun with road-crossing flags?! Next time there will be video.
Heidi and her evil 8 mile hilly run went right by her house and that allowed her some special perks. That's her 2 oldest kids running behind her. They ran the last mile with her. Her hubby and youngest are dashing to the finish with her. What a way for her to end her race!
One of the best costumed teams was the Storybook Starlets. This is Rapunzel, who ran her race in this dress with a frying pan. Love it!
Yay! We finished! Finally, all 12 of us are together (plus Cynthia and Randy's cutie patootie, who is almost 1) Van 2 held 5 siblings and one friend. That makes 9 cousins, 1 spouse and 2 friends on our team. So when we named our team "Insanity Runs in my Family. It Practically Gallops", we meant it!
Posing with the bling!
And FYI, in case you needed to steal our brilliance, here are the Quotes we put on the van with neon wet erase markers (from Walmart):
* Insanity Runs in My Family. It Practically Gallops.
* Act like a horse. Be dumb. Just Run
* Whatever doesn't kill me.... had better start running!
* Sweat is liquid Awesome!
* Those aren't hills, they're Mounds of Opportunity!
* Insanity is Relative.
* Running- Its cheaper than Therapy
* Running is a mental sport ... And we're all Insane!
* We are all born mad. Some remain so.
* Insanit destroys reason, not wit.
* It isn't whether you win or lose, its how you go insane!
* Neurosis are Red, Melancholia's Blue. I'm schizophrenic, what are you?
* Runs with Scissors!!
* I don't suffer from Insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.
* Madness takes it's toll. Please have exact change.
* They said I couldn't do it. They said the road was too long, the journey too arduous. They were wrong. They- Oh. Dry heaves. Hang on.
Things to do next time:
* Bring sidewalk chalk. I thought it would be great if we wrote fun stuff to our runners on their super-long, really tough legs.
* Oranges. How did we not have oranges?!
* We didn't want to spend money on coordinating costumes, but I loved the teams that did. I hope we can figure out something we can do inexpensively, that is fun, and unifying. Even if we just try to plan on wearing the same colored shirts or crazy socks. Any suggestions are welcome!
