I came on the team for the Ragnar in Colorado somewhat last minute...Maybe not last minute but I joined the team after saying no due to travel expenses and PTO, but after Kim told me there was a change in the date and there was someone who couldn't' do it, I was even more tempted so I decided I was in! I knew it would be absolutely beautiful running through the mountains, and I was absolutely right.
I got into Colorado on Thurs, and we drove to Breck where we stayed that evening. The race started on Friday. We were in the first van and I was runner number 5. My legs were 8.9 miles, 4.6 miles, and 6.7 miles. Not super hilly but longer.
I was very excited when we got to the race start, and it was nice because we stayed at a place walking distance from the start in Breck. Out start time was 10am, so plenty of time to sleep in. I decided I wanted to run some extra legs because that's just what I do =) so I did just that by running with Ben our first runner. It was a tough climb from the start of his leg, but we settled into a comfortable pace and the beauty of Colorado began! I took a break after that, and then decided to run 2miles with Kim (runner 3). The first part of her run was all uphill, so I decided to help her out, and she was happy I did.
I was getting more antsy as the day went, since I was the second to last runner, but my leg was finally here. I was actually feeling a bit sluggish, maybe due to the lack of or no coffee at all that day. I tried to just take it in and not race but run a pretty steady pace given the elevation change. It felt good, and I felt pretty warmed up and awake by the end of the run
After our first legs we had a break from 5 to 9 or so. We crashed at a major exchange where we'd meet Van 2. I was out cold even though we slept on a carpeted floor in a high school with no sleeping bad, just a sleeping bag.
Second leg was at midnight, and a bit freaky because part of it was in the middle of a field, and all you saw was what was in front of you. Otherwise I liked the night run. I also ran into this small animal which I quickly dodged by going out on the road instead of the path.
Jen one of our runners had some pain in her knee after the first run, so we knew she was pretty much out. Her bf Ben ran one of her legs but then we had to do some switching and Kim ended up running another short leg while another girl (Jen) took the other Jen's leg (too complicated)! Erica was also not feeling hot, so I took her last 3mile leg. Thank god it was only 3 miles, but I was pumped once I got mentally ready for running almost 10miles as my third leg on about 2 hours of sleep. To be honest I enjoyed that leg the most. I was just out there soaking it all in, and the music helped a ton.
Overall it was an awesome experience!!! Absolutely would do it again, the scenery was just amazing.
Leg 1 8.8 miles 7:54 pace Leg 2 4.7 miles 7:30 pace Leg 3 6.7 miles 8:08 pace Ran Ben's Leg 3.7 miles, and Kim's leg 2miles, and Erica's leg 3 miles, about 30 miles total, was supposed to run 20 miles with only me legs.We placed 49 out of 170 teams so not bad!
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