I think it was on our crazy trail run adventure that my friend convinced me to commit to being on a Ragnar team with her. I told her that if she rounded up 10 other runners, I wouldn’t be the one to stand between her and this item on her bucket list.
Well, you know where this is going. We now have a full team (knock-on-wood, no injuries please!), so I’m running Ragnar D.C. on September 12-13! Never mind that I will be in Vancouver earlier that week, or that she and another teammate will be in Japan–we figure our crazy work schedules and jet lag will be good training for the sleep deprivation aspect of this event.
I’m tentatively lined up to be runner #7. It wasn’t my first choice, but it was in my top three.
My first leg is 7.9 miles with this elevation profile:
My second leg is 4.9 miles with this elevation profile:
My third leg is 2 miles with this elevation profile:
From here, that 2 mile leg seems wimpy, but I’m sure I will be glad for the “easy” run when the time comes.
Now that it’s official, I need to figure out how to train for this! I feel like I need to add some afternoon/evening runs to my schedule, add some doubles to my schedule, and add lots of hill training to my schedule. But, I also know that the most important goal of my training program is to remain injury free.
[Tweet “Help! I’m running Ragnar — what do I need to know?”]
I’m also excited to share that just as I was finalizing my plans to sign up for Ragnar, I was offered an opportunity to review Nuun, which is an official Ragnar sponsor.
Look at all the flavors I get to try–and share with my Ragnar teammates. 😉
I know a few other people who have done Ragnar races (Carrie and Sue, consider yourselves forewarned of all my questions!), and a few more who are signed up for Ragnar D.C., but if you have any advice, insight, or encouragement, I would love to hear it!
Have you run Ragnar or another multi-day relay race?
Please share any Ragnar-related blog post links in the comments!
I’m running DC Ragnar too! It’ll be my first. We were out camping that way this weekend, it’s gonna be a beautiful 200 mile run home! 🙂
Fantastic!
Bring the questions on, I’m ready!! And why is my name crossed out up there?
Ah, I had your blogspot url – all fixed now!
Ahhh, gotcha 🙂 Thanks for linking back to me. I’m going to do a post soon on packing for Ragnar! Stay tuned!
So excited that you are doing it too! We have to have a team meet up. If you want to do any joint posts let me know. I am runner 1
Definitely! We should figure something out.
That’s great Coco! Running a relay is definitely on my bucket list! No advice to offer but will be here cheering you on 😉
Yay! I’m so excited for you! It’s such a wild adventure. And I did it twice, and would totally do it again if I could just keep injuries away. Debbie at Live From La Quinta (who was on my team) has some great Ragnar posts. The Ragnar website has good training plans you could modify as well. You’re probably good with what you’re doing and then add 1-2 double days per week for a few weeks leading up. I was told that even if the 2nd run is a mile or two, it’s enough to teach your body to run tired.
Gosh, I don’t think I realized you did Ragnar twice. I hope to do my first double run today ….
woot woot! a ragnar is on my list but the DC race is the same weekend as navy air force half.
I made this post after I left for my Epic Relay race. I am sure the DC area is not nearly as cold as the Rocky mountains are at night, but the warm, comfy clothes for between runs were definitely the best for me. And having a 2 mile run at the end sounds amazing. I always seem to end up with hilly, longer runs for my third run, which inevitably starts at 5 am with little coffee to wake me up after about 2 hours of sleep (if I am lucky).
Hah! I’d love a 5 am run – it’s the midday run I fear. It should be warm in mid-September, but having some sweats just in case is a good idea.
http://runwritehike.com/2013/07/packing-for-a-mountain-relay/
As you just learned from our tweet introduction with M, this will be my first Ragnar. I’m runner #8, and my first leg is the second hardest leg on the course (first leg for runner #3 is the hardest). I added a weekly hill repeat to my schedule three weeks ago in preparation for Ragnar, and two other hilly races this fall.
I, too, will be stalking Ragnar alumna’s blogs in the next several weeks!
Ah, yes, I was afraid I’d get leg 8! You will be a rockstar!
That’s awesome!! It will be a great experience. I’ve wanted to do a relay…I think. In theory I do at least!
I haven’t ever done any of the relays but it is on my list!!!
Good luck and have fun!
Good luck! I definitely want to do one one day although the thought is scary!!!!
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I’m not entirely sure how much evening/afternoon runs will help you with a Ragnar, but for the specific legs if you need you need to up your own hill running that will be very important.
However you were correct that the #1 goal should be to simply run consistently up until that point!
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