Ragnar Relay 2010: Part 2

I need to take the time to point out that my running group, the BRA, had four teams compete in Ragnar. We saw three of them along the way and it was so cool. There was some friendly competition, but of the four teams, three of them placed. I'll save the results for the end of this verbose post. Ain't I a stinker?

One of the teams was an Ultra, which equals 6 people running the route instead of 12. And one of the other teams was a Master's, which means they had to be 40 or older. The other team was mixed or men's I believe.

When we last left the Half Nuts they were making their way across the state. In pajamas.

Yes, that's right, our nutty captain decided that it may be fun to run in pjs. It was of course optional and he even offered to buy us pjs. On one condition, we wear the ones he purchased. Now, I am no dummy but I knew if he bought them we'd end up in thigh highs and garters. As such, I told him if he would run in thigh highs, so would I.

I kept telling folks it was for our pj run and they kept saying, "You sleep in thigh highs?" Doesn't everyone?

My second leg was a 3.8 mile run through some trails and into a quiet neighborhood. I think it was about 2 or 3 in the morning, but to be quite honest I have no idea. I had just woken up from a short slumber in a tent and was wearing white thigh highs. This sounds like a horror movie if I ever heard one.

Fortunately, my run was fantastic with the exception of one thing. That effing Peter Brady.

I was flying through this run. I kept looking down and seeing 7:15 pace, 7:30 pace, 7:35 pace. "Man," I thought, "I'm smoking!" I caught two runners who were probably on the same team (one was pacing). At some point I heard something in the bushes coming at me. I had Captain as a bike pacer so I just casually said, "Uh, John?" and they ran away. Ok, fine I yelled "JOHN!" And he laughed at me.

After we passed what I'm sure was a werewolf lurking in the dark we were getting close to some lights of other runners up ahead. It was the dreaded team 11 and I was hoping to catch them. Unfortunately, right about this time that effing Peter Brady ran by me and blew my doors off. Well, obviously it wasn't really Peter Brady but his fast running doppelganger. I couldn't catch 11 and effing Peter Brady must have been some silly track star. (He was running 6:40's. I asked him. Then he said "Where's Marcia?" Heh.)

Shorty Shorts from Van 1 in his Stewie pjs. Thought some of you might enjoy this photo.

We all had great runs for the second leg and handed back off to Van 1, starting with Shorty Shorts. And of course, we were off to McDonald's and then the exchange for some shut eye.

I think it may have been Van 1 that finally bested team 11, but I can't be sure. We were talking lots of smack every time we saw them. At one point we found out that they started a half hour before us so the smack talking only increased. They were good sports and gave it right back.

In the morning we awoke to this sight...

Caribbean Steve and Captain took their snooze outside. This is where we informed the Islander on what spooning was. He is insistent that there was no spooning. I'll let you all be the judge of that.

It was probably around mid-morning when we loaded up Van 2 for our final runs. It was getting warm quickly and we were all a little bit loopy. As evidenced by the next set of photos.

Boob grabbing.

Coffee voguing.

Random parking lot booty shaking.

My final leg was my longest. (That's what she said?) I had a 6.6 mile run on the baking hot sidewalk of a very nice residential neighborhood. I was sucking wind by mile 4 and thought for sure they would have to scrape me off of the asphalt.

Thank the lord for the van support. Little J hopped out to give me some much needed water. I wound up running 8:30's which I am A-OK with. These last runs were hot for all of us and we were eager to meet up with our other van at the finish.

As the Captain is very involved with fashion, he made his own outfit for his final run. Tres chic, no? Yes, those are jorts.

Captain was runner 12 and we hopped in the van to meet him at the finish. It was hot and I couldn't wait to get to that finish line. We had been running for over 24 hours.

If I don't wrap this up soon, this post will be over 24 hours. Sorry. The end is near...

When we got to the bandshell in Daytona for the finish celebration we eagerly awaited the arrival of runner number 12 and as soon as we saw him we all jumped in to run into the finish. Half Nuts had completed the Ragnar Relay. And the finish was awesome!

We received our medals, drank our free beer and headed out for dinner and a night on the town. Daytona beach sure does have friendly gals...

By the way, remember that teaser about who placed? Our Master's team placed 1st in their division and 5th overall, while our Ultra team also placed 1st in their division and 14th overall.

And wouldn't you know it, as it turns out the goofball, non-competitive team came in 2nd out of 29 teams in the division and 12th overall. Not too shabby for a bunch of nuts.

I must reiterate how fun Ragnar is. Sure there are moments of "Oh crap I'm tired" or "Geez this van stinks" but it's so completely worth when you get to cross the finish line with your buds. Thanks for reading.

*Thankful Thursday will be up tomorrow but it may be a little late as I have a Turkey Trot to race...