RAGNAR.
Our team, The Dirty Dozen, killed this relay like it was no one's business. We finished in 65th place out of the 805 teams among our division, and 123rd place out of all 1092 total teams. Not bad! Not bad at all. We finished in 30:07:27 when our estimated time was 32:14:43. Yeah you could say I'm bragging. Actually, I am bragging, I'll admit it. I am so proud of everyone and for how hard they pushed themselves! Embarrassingly enough this race was really emotional for me. Karlie used to always talk about her experience and how she had to hold back the tears when people finished their legs. I always thought it was a little funny, especially since I'm not a crying type of a person. "Like a vault baby locked down." Todd that quote was for you... haha Well I was right back then to say that I'm not that type of a person. However after seeing how hard everyone was pushing themselves, knowing how hard it was for me to do the same, then to finally see the relief on their face after they finished - sheesh I had no chance. I was constantly looking away to conceal the overflowing tear ducts.
On a lighter note, there were a lot of teams that were so clever in their name choice as well in their team decorations. Example:
There were a lot off potty jokes, some not so nice, but overall I just couldn't stop laughing at every van that we saw. I took note of a few team names that were my favorite:
-RMFAO (Running My Fat A Off),
-Holy Cramp,
-You Better Wasatch Your Back,
-Lettuce Turnip the Beet (took me a second... had to say it out loud to get it...), and
-Just Another Manic Run-Day.
We saw a suburban that had tusks and was decorated like a Mammoth, a team that each took a sport and ran in the gear (ie: one with a mountain goat tied to back pack with hiking poles, one in a wet suit and carrying a surf board, one running in snow shoes, etc), saw a man running in a gas mask, a woman running in a viking costume and this:
This race was also very educational as well as contained a lot of firsts! I compiled a list for you, because you know how much I like organized lists :)
1] Honey buckets are the greatest things on the planet. I had more fear of not having a honey bucket within 1 minute of me at all times, than I did of getting eaten by a bear on my night run. (which was a logical fear for some - ask Natalie)
2] 3 hours of sleep is a beautiful thing
3] Sleeping in a hotel, even if it is on the floor, will always be counted twice in my prayers
4] Matt has a special spot in his heart for cottonelle wipes
5] I love killing people, and I killed 38 people in two days*
6] Having the right music can be the difference between life or death.
7] Words/Actions like poop, wedgie, fart, sweat, pee and WATER were probably used more in those two days than ever will be in my lifetime.
8] It is possible for the Oakey boys to sweat. It only takes running Avon pass, but it's possible!
9] Kendall's name is not Wendall. But it happens to be his new favorite nickname.
10] No one can do the running man like Natalie can.
11] Chocolate Outrage Gu is the best thing I've ever tasted.
12] Road Rage is expected, Volunteers we had to pay for are idiots but Jeff is one that will always get you where you need to be -even if it takes playing chicken with the other lane aka Mexican driving.
13] Camie makes the best chicken salad, thank heavens.
14] I have never loved sleep more than Sunday evening after my 14 hour nap.
15] And finally, the most important lesson I learned is this:
SPANDEX IS A PRIVILEDGE, NOT A RIGHT.
Now for some pictures!
*A kill is someone that you passed on your run. No injury or violence took place in order to get any of these kills. And yes, I can use runner terminology because after this, I am a runner!
