Sunday, September 28, 2008

DC Ragnar Relay Report


I was super scared, but did it. And I have a medal and tech tee to prove it, plus the burning thighs. (I'm the one in the back looking the most disheveled.)

General low-down: Van 2, my van, started our running at 6 p.m. (Van 1 started at noon.) As the twelfth runner, I didn't start until 11:00 p.m. It was pouring rain and I swear my pants were five pounds heavier at the end of my run than at the beginning. When I finished, we went to the start of our next run and hoped for sleep, but unfortunately had only about 3 hours before we were to start again. Maybe 1.5 hours of sleep were obtained. My second run, leg 24, was longer but it didn't pour on me as it had the night before--awesome! I ran by some beautiful homes and saw dead snakes and frogs along the highway. Our second break was much longer, but as it was in the middle of the day, I didn't sleep well. My last run was my shortest and easiest, and boy was I happy about that. It was also the most beautiful as I got to run nexto to the Potomac River, across from some of DC's most famous landmarks, and directly underneath planes landing at National Airport. Forty-nine minutes later, it was all over! Our team feasted on apple pie and pizza.

What I learned:
  • Training-wise: Long runs were definitely helpful, but even more helpful were the Saturdays where I ran once at 7 a.m. (about five miles) and then again at about 3 p.m. (about six miles). It helped me know how my body would react to such insanity. Also, I know better than running in brand-new, unbroken-in shoes, but what damage could some super cute red ballets flats do? A LOT, it turns out. Don't try out new shoes the week before your race.
  • Eating-wise: This was a big concern for me because running with a full stomach isn't pleasant. I knew that my first run would start at about 11 p.m., so I ate dinner at about 4. Then, after run 1, I ate a bagel, luna bar, and drank tons of water. A couple of hours later, I ate some jerky and drank more water and Gatorade. And right before each leg, I ingested a banana. Repeat. This made for very good runs, stomach-wise. I was never famished but neither was I overly full. It also gave me good reason to think before eating the Reese's peanut butter cups in our van.
  • Sleeping-wise: Rent a 15-person van. For our six runners, we had a mini-van which barely fit the six of us and all our gear. A 15-person van would have been so much more luxurious. (A motor home, with a driver, would have been the ultimate in luxury, but they're illegal, sadly.) I didn't use the sleeping bag I brought; a blanket would have been more practical. The pillow was necessary however. But really, plan on not getting much sleep. It's just hard.
  • Packing-wise: Bring three sets of running outfits and two pairs of running shoes. Although we have things like the news and papers to know the weather, it's better to be prepared. I was soooo glad to have three changes of clothes for each leg, especially after run 1 wherein I got drenched. A couple of my teammates were not so lucky.
  • Fun-team-names-wise: I'm not quickly-creative. So as I was invited to join this Ragnar team about six weeks before the actual race, that was not enough time for me to come up with a clever name or costume. While I liked what was eventually chosen, it was not award-winning. I'll start working on it now and hope that by the next time I do this, I'll have something that is. And while I'm not sure I'd like to run in costumes (one team wore cavemen outfits), I think some could absolutely do-able. Anything where you could draw on your face or applique on a shirt, would be okay. Like I said, I'm thinking about this.
I think that's it. I hear Ragnar is adding five new locations to next year's relay schedule. Anyone up for a run-cation?!

12 comments:

Janice {Run Far} said...

Oh my word, this is the coolest blog around. I stumbled here from my cousins blog. I am going to have to link this blog on my own personnel running blog. I will be back for sure.

FUN FUN FUN!
Go marathon mommy's

5 Miles Past Empty said...

I love relays! This one sounds totally fun! How far was it total? We have put in for Hood to Coast (in Oregon) for next year. It is pretty hard to get into! I think that one is over 100 miles. The farthest one I have done is 56 miles.

The 2-a-day running is a great way to condition yourself for relays! That is how I prepared for the relays I have done. Plus you get to head out and have 2 runs! In one day! Can't beat that!

Thanks for sharing! Sounds totally fun, no sleep and all! Great job!

erinmalia said...

The race was 183 miles and my legs were 6.4, 7.4, and 4.8 for a total of 18.6. Most people ran closer to 15 though.

There was a team there named "hood to coast rejects" as they didn't make the cut for that one. Ha.

Rob said...

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Unknown said...

Brandon Family,
Hood to Coast is 176 miles and fantastic! I did H to C for the first time this last summer. This race sounds like so much fun as well! I love it!

Unknown said...

quick correction the Hood to Coast is 197 miles from start to finish

amydear said...

A relay sounds like tons of fun. Congrats on doing yours! It was great to read your report.

emily said...

way to go sis. you looked fantastic, by the way. despite what you think.

but, really, who cares what you looked like. you just ran over 18 miles - nice work!

JP said...

This is awesome!!

I loved your helpful hints, too! :)

Anne said...

Great tips!!

I was all set to run DC Ragnar but pulled out at the last minute so that I could focus on my marathon training. You guys are all awesome for running through the rain. I remember that the rain woke me up in the middle of the night that night and couldn't help but think of all of those crazy Ragnar runners that were out there on the trails.

Hopefully I'll be able to find a team to run with next year.

marathon mom said...

I so want to do thIs race next year- I am in VA, right outside dc if anyone wants to do it1

Anonymous said...

If you've never been to Oregon, you should seriously consider the Cascade Lakes Relay. It is a gorgeous, scenic course and the race is smaller and more intimate than H2C. Oregon is a great place for a family vacation too!