The Way Things Work

RAGNAR 2011

So, I’ve just woken up after more than 12 hours of slumber after completing running the Ragnar (Wasatch Back).  Tough shit, I tell you.

I’ll be honest.  Didn’t train much (or at all, really), so I was really dreading the experience.  I was in a bad mood for like two weeks.  My team consisted of 11 other very athletic girls who had been training for quite some time.  I was super close to just giving up before I even began.

That being said… I can’t believe I had ever had those thoughts.  My sister Theresa put it best:  She said that Ragnar is awesome because it changes running from a solo sport to a team sport.  I wouldn’t have been able to run (slash walk) without my team members cheering me on.

I had a little bit of trouble my first leg and gave up at about 4 miles ish?  Not sure.  For those of you reading and have been runner #2, it’s right before the hill.  Madi Jenson (superstar) finished for me.  She is literally the strongest runner I know.  It was hot, she had already ran like 6 miles or some crazy shit, and she saw that I was struggling so she helped me out.  

Hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before because of nerves so I was pretty tired but the entire time in the car all we do is laugh, listen to music, eat salty foods, which makes it hard to even WANT to sleep!

My second run I was ready to just kill it.  It was in the night time, it was pretty cold, but I had a red bull before and I was just ready to go.  Lauren M, Alycia and I were waiting for Madi to pass me the slap bracelet, and I was listening to Robyn, just basically having a dance party with the two.  I started out the run pretty strong, and then realized about halfway through how bad my knees were killing me.  When I do run, I don’t normally run outside or I just run at the park.  There was a guy who was in a car with a girl we knew who was so awesome and found me about halfway through.  He saw me running slowly and asked how I was doing, and I told him I was struggling with my knee.  There was a downhill for about half a mile to finish the run, and some U2 song came on and I ran the whole thing.  When I got back down I was feeling so good, especially after my car told me that the guy said “your friends knee was killing her but she was still hauling,”.  It’s so nice that not only do you have the support from your team mates, but from other teams as well (except for the ass holes who say “kill” when they pass you).  I felt soooo good after that run.  Then we got to the exchange point for runner 4 and I thought I was going to die.  

Everyone finished their runs really strong.  Alycia had one of the hardest runs that my brother in law Jim had texted me to warn me about.  It was basically 5 miles uphill and on a dirt road.  Dirt all up in your face with cars dusting you as they go.  I must say, I’ve never seen anyone look more beautiful when they work out.  I was a little bit nervous running with Alycia because she’s so pretty and I was afraid I would hate her.  But never in my life have I met anyone more sweet!

Aside from Alycia, I was already super close to Lauren A.  This trip made me love her even more.  She was so positive and cheered me on so much and let me know I was able to make it!  She helped me push myself.  And I honestly think she’s the funniest person and wish I could carry her in my pocket.  Madi J.  Love her too much, love laughing with her and she also was so positive and let me know that I could do it.  Vanessa kills me, she made me laugh the entire time.  She’s one of those people who makes me even more funny because she laughs at me so much.  She was the one who was always telling me what to do if I was cramping, tired, sore, etc.  She brought a lot of knowledge to the table.  Lauren M.  So sweet.  We had some really good laughs like when we were sleeping the first night and she told me she felt drunk because she had the spins.  We were sooooo exhausted.  She had run Ragnar the year before and made me feel ok about the fact that I wasn’t ready.  All in all everyone was so super supportive and I really couldn’t have imagined being in a better car.  I’m so sad that I didn’t get to spend more time with the other car of girls because they are super funny.  Our team name The Runs, luckily didn’t jinx us but it sure did the other car ;).  So, actually I’m grateful I wasn’t in that one.  

Done with our second legs around 3 AM, grumpy and tired we were soooo lucky to sleep at Roy’s condo the first night, in beds, which was so helpful.  However, I woke up in so much pain I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to even WALK my last leg.  So, I put on my cutest outfit and said to myself, if I’m going to look like an ass hole walking this thing, at least I’m going to look like a cute ass hole.

I walked it.  The whole thing.  I had knee support brace things on, took a lortab, was limping, and it took me a really long time, haha.  But I still finished out and walked the whole thing.  I can now say that I completed Ragnar.  (kind of not though because Madi helped me my first run).  

Everyone else finished out so strongly.  Lauren M got screwed because she basically had a 7.7 mile run that was all uphill.  It definitely should have been split into two runs.  Her cute boyfriend came to cheer her on but you could tell she was pissed haha.  

We drew so much funny shit on our car, literally.  Drew piles of steaming shit.  I loved that our team name was The Runs.

Looking back on it, the only shitty part was the running when I was in pain.  If I had trained I would have most likely loved almost every second of it.  I am so happy that I had such a great first Ragnar experience.  I honestly probably won’t do it with anyone else ever unless they own a molester van… and will offer me candy along the way.

And for all the bitches in my car, be looking forward to some new tracks from yours truly next year :)

xoxo