Ragnar Relay Series

I packed up running clothes, food and water for the Ragnar Relay Series and drove to Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday. The trip to Wisconsin went smoothly. I only had to stop once during the seven hour drive to get gas. I filled up my car in Rockford, Illinois. At the start of the drive, I was a little nervous because that was the longest drive I have ever done by myself.

I met up with my team, Mom & Dad, Thursday night. We met at one of our captain's apartment for a spaghetti dinner. We ate and talked about what the plan was for the relay. After dinner was over, Everyone parted and went home to get ready for the relay. I slept over and ended up going to bed around 9:30 p.m. CST, which was 10:30 p.m. in EST to me.

Woke up at 3 and 4 a.m., I went back to sleep until 5 a.m. I figured that was long enough, so I finally got up. Before getting dressed, I looked out the window. It was pouring rain. Not a good way to start out a 200 mile long relay. I got dressed and was thankful that I brought two pairs of running shoes with me.

The team members riding in van one assembled and then it was time to head to the start line. When we arrived at the park, it was a sea of white panel vans. The parking lot was filled with them. Over 300 teams were participating in the Madison to Chicago relay. Our first stop as a group was to the check in tent, then over to the safety meeting. After that was completed it was time to start the relay. At the start of the relay, the rain finally stopped, but it was a very chilly morning. Kimmy started off the relay and did a very good job. In no time, she was slapping the relay bracelet onto Justin's wrist.

I had butterflies while waiting for Justin. I knew once I ran my first leg, I would be OK. My first leg was 4.9 miles. This leg had many long inclines and hills. I kept a positive attitude and just kept running. I just told myself to keep my legs moving because my teammates were waiting for me. I finished my leg in 45 minutes and around 10 or 10:30 a.m. Once I was done, I freshened up as best as I could, changed my shirt and then our van headed to the next exchange.

My second leg started around 5 p.m. The leg was entirely on a trail. I was run straight for the whole run. The only turn I made was to run into the exchange zone to hand off the bracelet. I was very pleased with this leg. It was flat and I was able to go fast. It was my fastest of the entire relay. My pace was 8:40 for 5.9 miles. I passed a guy and two ladies during this leg. That made me feel really good. I finished the run in 51:11.

At the start of the third leg, it was misting and starting to get dark. This would be my first time really running in the dark, I started running around 8 p.m. I had on my reflective vest with LED lights and my headlamp. This leg was run on sidewalks and the road. I ran on the shoulder and it was scary. Cars were driving by me doing 55-60 mph. Most of them didn't even move over in the next lane to give me room. They just zoomed by me by less then two feet. Besides running next to fast traffic, this leg had more hills and inclines. I finished the 5.4 mile run in 50:38.

After my third leg for the day, our van was able to stop at one of the exchange points to take a shower. We were all happy to get clean. After showering, we stopped at McDonald's around midnight to get something to eat. For the entire day, I ate bananas and protein bars. It was nice to eat something different and warm. When we finished eating, some of us went to another exchange at a church to get a couple hours of sleep. I ended up sleeping on the floor with one of my coat's as a pillow for a nap of two hours. It wasn't enough, but it did help.

The start of my last leg was around 4 am. It was cold, foggy and misting. My leg was run on a trail. I was asked by my team if I wanted a bike pacer. I said yes. I just wanted someone there in case something happened on the trail. The trail was so dark. It was hard to see anything, even with my headlamp. After leaving the trail, my leg took me right next to Lake Michigan. You could hear the water moving in the wind. It sounded really nice. I finished the 6.1 mile in 57:44.

My part of the relay was complete. I had fun with my team members Kimmy, Justin, Adam, Susan and our van driver Nick. Running the Ragnar Relay Series was an experience I'll never forget.