Running at Night in the Ragnar

Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay June 2009 #9

Rena asked me why I didn't listen to music during my runs. I answered that I had a "lively" inner life. The truth is that I do not want to be distracted. While running on roads, I want to make sure I'm ready to move out of the way in case a car or truck gets too close. On trails, I've had some close encounters with snakes, mountain lions and startled rabbits! I like to be aware of danger and have se time to react appropriately. I think it's important to run in harmony within your environment. I have been hit by a car twice while riding a bicycle. It is important to wear reflective clothing and carry plenty of lights. As Bill, a fellow technical writer once told me, "better to look like Bozo the Clown then being hit by a car."

My second run started at 10:00 pm and it was dark. Annie handed me the baton and a flashlight. I was wearing a reflective vest and a rear blinking light. I was optimistic as I started running but the flashlight slowly started dimming and went dead in about 10 minutes. I was running but I could barely see anything.

I heard runners pass me wishing me well. I was running along the road and I felt abandoned. My team couldn't see me and I never saw them. I wasn't sure what to do. Each time a car passed me, I had to dodge to my left to make sure I wasn't hit. I tripped and fell and my right hand hit the pavement hard. I didn't realize until I was near the exchange point that I lost the baton. I also smashed the flashlight. I felt so screwed. I promised myself to bring extra flashlights on my next night runs and to wear reflective clothing and blinking lights.

I kept falling into a walk and looked into lighted houses as I passed. One house in particular stood out. I saw a family gathered together playing a board game. I felt so home sick in that moment. I wished I could knock on their door and join them, you know, just take a short break. My leg muscles kept cramping up. It became harder and harder to run. As I progressed, I heard someone running up ahead with a loud breathing pattern somewhat like a steam engine. He had a bright flashlight. I ran up close behind him. I followed him all the way into the exchange point where I handed off to Steve. Steve was a little confused when he saw my damanged hand but no baton. Volunteers told us to just go ahead without the baton.

Karli bandaged my hand. She was very careful and reassuring in her manner of administering aid and I was grateful. I felt ashamed for losing the baton, breaking the flashlight and turning in such a dismally slow run time.

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Ragnar Running & Getting Lost Together!

Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay June 2009 #3

The relay required cooperation and team work. The rules of the race were that we had to run when it was our turn. We shared race strategy, food and we supported each other. The bonding process was a little awkward at first. What was okay to say or not say? Some members of our team used colorful language and told jokes that were really funny. One of the ladies made the comment, "do you notice that the boys haven't made any crude remarks or told any off color jokes?!

We helped each other to prepare to run. We pinned on our number bibs, gave each other water and most importantly we made sure we found the exchange points and arrived on time. This was our biggest challenge!

Karli was off and running and we scrambled to figure out a route to the exchange point. We also wanted to make sure we saw Karli along her run so we could offer water, shout some encouragement or just watch the race. It was a challenge that required each team member to take a turn driving, navigating and cheering our current runner. I tried to personally witness the exchanges as it was an accomplishment that I wanted to acknowledge as each member crossed the line.

There was a bit of rivalery too. One running team was dressed up as Hufflepuff (Harry Potter). They had capes and had some attitude that really seemed to rub Steve wrong. Every time we saw a member of the team run by he would make a face and mumble something under his breath.

We had a little trouble finding Karli along her route. She had made a pit stop at a 7-11 to relieve herself. She managed to make up time and smiled when we waved and screamed encouragement from the truck windows to her. It certainly made the race exciting. The adrenaline ran high as we watched beautiful pastoral scenes go by. I kept thinking about the office. What was going in back at MonaVie? What was going on with the other team? They were probably driving to the exchange point where Steve would pass the baton to Rich.

Karli looked a little uncomfortable when she handed the baton off to "Mustang" Sally at the exchange point. Go Sally we shouted and headed out to the next exchange point. Karli made a note to herself to not eat a whole package of mint oreo cookies before running in hot weather.

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Wasatch Back Ragnar 09 Relay Race Begins

Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay June 2009 #2

The day of the Wasatch Back Relay race and I was awake by 3:39 am. I drank several ounces of MonaVie Active before running up the hill to the Timpanogas Transit Center and caught the first bus of the day at 4:37. I was dropped off at 106th South in Sandy and waited for Annie to pick me up. I was a little worried about being forgotten so I called her to make sure she was up and aware I was there. We were named The MonaVie Runners with the team number 415.

When we arrived at the MonaVie parking lot, I was surprised to see it empty. The van we were supposed to have reserved wasn't available. The rental agency let us down and we were in a lurch. Annie made some calls and soon showed up driving a really nice truck she borrowed from her father in law. I was impressed that this truck could seat six of us and have room to stash our stuff in the back. 

We drove to Logan and arrived at the Ragnar staging area. There were pavillions set up and people everywhere talking and preparing to start the race. It was a beautiful sunny day and the atmosphere was charged. I was fascinated by some of the colorful costumes teams were dressed up together. One team in particular went all out dressed in American Indian tribal dress.

Steve checked in with the race officials and showed we had brought the required reflective vests, LED lights and flashlights. We examined the contents of our team packet and we began to orient ourselves to the race. We pulled out our running numbers, van numbers and a wristband (the wristband is used as the baton). Since Rena was to start the race, Steve demonstrated how to use the wrist band baton used during an  exchange point.

Everyone was anxious to start and see how Rena did on her leg of the race.While we waited, we talked and pinned our race number, 415 on to Rena. She was ready to run! We all walked over to where the race was to start and Rena took her place in the pack. 
 Rena started the race. We drove ahead a little ways and checked on Rena as she progressed. It looked like she was doing fine and was keeping a good pace. Soon we saw her running along side another runner. We were laughing and happy she had found a running buddy to push out the last part of her first leg. Of course, Rena still hasn't heard the end of this...her sisters use it for fodder to tease her! I admire Rena's friendly and outgoing personality and her ability to connect with people. Rena earned the nick name "Aphrodite" for her ability to make everyone feel loved.

While we waited at the exchange point for Rena to come in and send Karli off to start her leg, I was surprised to see some runners pushing themselves to nearly passing out. I saw a man run in to the exchange chute gasping for air like a fish out of water. He passed his team baton and proceeded to collapse while first aid checked on him to make sure he was okay. He had definitely pushed himself beyond his limits.

Rena came in and passed the baton (wrist strap) to Karli. She shot off and was off listening to her ipod tunes and skipping a good beat. We followed Karli and checked on her several times. She was either really focused or she had her tunes up pretty loud. When we got her attention, she smiled and waved us on--what a trooper!

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