The Race: The Ragnar course was 200.9 miles starting in Ventura and ending in Dana Point. A team consisting of 12 runners and two vans typically runs the race. Each team member is assigned a position as a runner (runner 1-12) and is required to run in correct numerical rotation per each leg of the race. The logistics and rules to do the race are incredible complex (there’s a 60 page book called a “race bible” that you are required to read before doing the race). This was Ragnar’s second year in LA and they had 282 teams participate.

The course was scenic and the execution of the logistics (per the planning of the Ragnar Relay people, especially director Steven ) was highly impressive. It was an open road race that was surprisingly easy to navigate through (all things considered). Having a GPS and an iPhone and a few people who were all native to various parts of Southern California also helped a TON.

Our Race: My team (#132 Sugitorias) ended up experiencing as much as you could expect when it comes to executing a large complex plan with a group of people. Long story short: we were losing runners and team members left and right from January up till two weeks out. When it came to race day, our 12-person team with night pacer went to a 10 person team without any night leg support in the blink of an eye. The morning of the race, I woke up at 7AM to a text from our team captain (meaning that I got 2 hours of sleep) that one of the girls who was supposed to report in had gotten into a car accident and was suffering a mild concussion. We lost another runner once the race was under when she had a severe asthma attack in the beginning of her race.

The captain of the team ended up seeing to her and finished her leg of the course while “chick-ing” 8 people along the way. This ended up setting the mood for the next 24 hours: just get it done no matter what. We weren’t about to let a smaller team stop us from finishing what we’ve been planning (or trying to plan) for the past 5 months. We completed the relay with only 10 runners, 2 vans, 1 driver, and a two jars of economy-sized nuts (trail mix).

My Race: The part of the course that I was most afraid of and had been training my mind and pace for was Leg 19: the 7.0 mile leg at 2AM from the Santa Monica Pier into the very beginning of Dockweiler Beach. By the time Saturday 1AM rolled around, I had already experienced my first leg of the course somewhere in Thousand Oaks. That leg didn’t go so well… it was hot, at high elevation, my allergies acted up (my van nicknamed me Snuffleupagus) and I had puked on the course trying to down water half-way into my leg.  I had about 3 hours of sleep total and to top it all off: this was my first time wearing a running skirt. (Not exactly the tough chick running persona I usually go for.)

I remember running through Venice beach at 2 in the morning thinking to myself, “This is it, I’m actually doing it… I’m actually doing
it!!!” I’d look at the Garmin borrowed from one of my teammates (10:30-10:45 average pace) once I got into my 4th mile and felt fine I knew the entire remaining portion of the relay would be a cakewalk. I dodged through the bums in Venice Beach, saw the ocean water reflect the light of my headlamp in Marina Del Rey and heard the ocean waves crash onto the beach as I bolted towards the chute of the exchange in Dockweiler Beach – it was truly an amazing experience. My three legs of the course (18.6 miles total > 5.5, 7, 6.1) were done at a negative
splits and for the last 6.1 I had completely demolished my 10K PR time.  (I know I’m SHOCKED about it too.)

Team rankings have yet to be posted, but performance-wise our team was beyond incredible (meaning everyone went above and beyond either their distance or projected pace to get it done). Final thoughts? I can’t wait to do it again next year! I would recommend this experience to anyone who is a hardcore runner that thrives off pushing yourself to find out what you’re really made of. I made some incredible friends along the way and got to know some truly impressive athletes in my van. I also got to eat at Jack in the Box at 11pm on a Friday night – something that I would NEVER do unless I had really good reason to (fueling my body up because my life and team depended on it). Can you say bonus?!

My first night trail run I did with fellow teammate and vanmate, Miniver. A few things I learned during this inaugural flight of sorts: Miniver apparently needs to be told not to wear all black when running in the dark (I thought this was a given) I need to wear booty shorts and a tank top next time (400 ft elevation even in the dark will make you sweat buckets), need a better form of carry on hydration (my handheld didn’t cut it when it came time to grab onto something – by something I mean Miniver – for coming down steep slopes). Running in pitch black gives you a lot to think about as well. For instance, I keep thinking to myself, “Why the hell am I doing this?” and “What was I thinking?! I’m not fit to be a captain. I’m not fit to be a captain!” And finally (my favorite) “HOLY F**KING SH**!!!”  I think I said that last thought aloud a few times.

We ended up running 4.23 miles, as snobby as I am about my mileage this was the hardest run I had done all year. My chest was pounding, I was sweating buckets, I literally wept quietly to myself when I was convinced that Mini was running too far ahead of me and I was doomed to be killed by either mountain lion or wayward vagrant off the multitude of side trails of the second largest state park in California. It was one of the most accomplished and happiest runs to date. In fact, it really made me fall madly in love with running again, not that I ever really fell out of love with it, but all the fear, pain and undeniable accomplishment when we were finally done was a complete and utter rebirths of sorts. This race is by far already one of the hardest, scariest things I have ever trained for, and yes, I am shaking in my little running space boots with excitement over it. Last week I ran 56 miles and I’m hoping for another 50 this week for my 100 miles in 2 weeks promise to myself.

Still can’t believe I’m actually a captain for this crazy group.

Here’s a video of thoughts after our flagship run with the equipment:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Ragnar Relay Los Angeles is a race with teams of 9-12 people who take alternating “legs” or running portions covering Santa Barbara to Dana Point. The entire race covers over 177 miles and takes about 24 hours to complete. Teams travel across the course throughout all hours of the day via self-equipped vans for drop off points. In addition to vans the teams are required to equip themselves with night running gear, back up drivers, first aid kit, provide the race with volunteers and still maintain some form of mental stability to run at all hours of the day.

I’ve personally been training for the race by alternating my runs and speed workouts while having days where I “double up” on my runs (meaning, I’ll do six mile repeats in the morning and do an easy 3-4 miler after work). The Ragnar site also provides you with a full training plane here.

Sounds like a party doesn’t it? The reason I’ve been particularly excited to do the relay is not only to have something to look forward to after conquering the 26.2 miles of the LA Marathon but also to be able to experience something that is not always unique to running… actually being on a team and spending time with some really great friends who are just as passionate as I am about the sport. These are people who I’ve come across via several social networking avenues like twitter and DailyMile (a running social networking site) who have are a home away from home of sorts in my realm of personal relationships. I’m beyond excited to take this on with them!

We also named our team Wish You Were Beer (watch out for us on the course if you’re there) if that doesn’t top off the incredible amount of fun to be had by all. If you’re interested in partying in a van of your own with 11 of your closest friends it’s not too late to sign up for the relay.

Here’s a video of Ragnar Relay of 2009:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Before I forget, (not that I would) we’re now 62 days away from the LA Marathon. So far for 2010 I’m  122 miles down and a few hundred more to go with training.