42. Ragnar Relay Race

  This past weekend, I participated in the Ragnar Madison to Chicago relay.  I was on a team of 11 guys who teamed up to run 197 miles.  It was nuts.  It's very hard to describe so I thought I'd just throw in a lot of pictures...

  We started in Madison at noon on Friday.  Here's our team at the start line.  At this point, my sweats were clean and comfy.

 

  Watching Steve start the race.  Each runner runs 3 legs ranging from 3 to 10 miles.  I was runner 6 out of 11 so I had about 3 hours to wait before it was my turn to run.

  Rick and I tossed the frisbee while we waited.  I would describe the event as 10% running and 90% waiting around or driving.  The running ended up being the easy part.

Here I am right before my first run.  Notice that I still look rested at this point.

  My first run was an 8 miler that ended in Lake Mills.  The majority of the run was on country roads like this one.  Very cool running in the middle of nowhere completely alone.

  First run: Done.  8 miles @ 8:49 average.  I finished running at around 4:00pm.  We hit Jimmy Johns for dinner and then our van had to wait till 11pm to start running again.  My house was just a few miles from the next runner exchange so we killed time there by firing the potato gun.  It was a hit.  (Usually is.)

2:30am.  I'm up for a 3.2 mile sprint along the Oak leaf trail in Franklin.

  This may have been the weirdest run I've ever done.  I ran along a bike path with a small headlamp.  I could only see about 20 feet in front of me because it was drizzling and super-duper dark.  I could see little eyes lighting up on the side of the path.  That helped me pick up my pace.  I did the 3.2 miles @ 8:03 pace.  Now, time to try to sleep for an hour before our van's up for our final set of runs @ 5:30am.

  Before my final 7.8 mile run at 10am on Saturday.  Not looking so rested anymore but definitely enjoying the experience.

  My final run took me from Kenosha down into Illinois.  Here I'm crossing the Illinois border and feeling strong.  Isn't it cool to run and take pictures of yourself?  I don't think so either...  7.8 miles @ 8:59 pace.  SOOOO happy to get the last run done!

  The whole team waited for Tim to come in on the final leg and we ran the last 100 yards to cross the finish line together. 

  We did it!  197 miles in 29 hours 15 minutes-ish.  Get me outta here.  Get me home.  Get me in a shower.  Get me to bed.  What a weird time.  I will definitely do it again.  Absolutely amazing race experience.  Thanks guys, for an incredible unforgettable weekend!