Race Recap: Ragnar Northwest Passage NUUNsense (Part 2)

If you missed Part 1, check it out HERE

Once we got to Bellingham HS it hit me, “OMG, I am running Ragnar with Nuun!” I was a little bit nervous, but really excited at the same time. Kim was a fabulous van captain and got everyone checked in for our bibs and safety briefing. Ragnar is definitely a well organized event.

Getting ready for my first leg at Ragnar

Kim, Zoe, ME, Dani

My first leg was classified as moderate and would be my easiest and shortest leg at 3.7 miles. I almost didn’t run with my handheld filled with Nuun, but was glad that I changed my mind at the last minute. It was hot in Bellingham and after my first mile I was feeling parched. I drank my entire handheld with Kona Cola and could have used more. Even though all I could think about was how hot I was, my leg was beautiful! I ran down a gravel trail that took me over a couple of bridges and along the water front. I wish I would have taken some pictures because my words can’t do the scenery justice. If you live in Bellingham, I am officially jealous of you right now. I was hoping for more than 3 roadkill on my first leg, but there were hardly any other Ragnar runners out on the course.

Photo credit to Zoe

Leg 1 stats:

Time started- 2:58 pm

Ran 3.70 miles in 27:58

3 roadkill

I was pretty pooped after my first leg because the heat really saps the energy right out of me. After I got myself cleaned up and into fresh clothes I cheered, blew bubbles, and acted like a silly person while my vanmates ran. I learned during our first legs that anything goes at Ragnar: futon couch on top of a van? SURE. Silly outfits? SURE. Inappropriate team names? SURE.

Silly outfit

Futon on top of a van

Once Sara finished her first leg and we exchanged with Van #1 in Burlington it was off to find some grub and try to rest up before we embarked on our 2^nd legs.

My 2^nd leg started out at La Conner High School. I would say it was the hardest because it was my longest, but my last leg was pretty brutal hill wise. I think what made this leg seem not quite as difficult is because I couldn’t see the hills I was running. They hurt, but it probably helped I couldn’t tell what I was about to tackle.  Plus I was running in the dark out in the middle of nowhere so I was running as fast as my legs could carry me. At one point I heard something in the woods that definitely put an extra pep in my step! My last mile on this leg was a 6:37. I was flying, but I am pretty sure my red tutu gets credit for making me faster.

I didn't run with the pirate hat or in my flip flops :-)

Leg 2 stats:

Time started- 12:17 am

Ran 8.71 miles in 1:07:43

12 roadkill

After my 2^nd leg I had about 6o minutes of down time before I volunteered to run with Dani on her leg through Anacortes. It was around the time that bars were getting out and was probably safer to have two runners out than a solo person. I didn’t mind because I actually wanted to get in some extra miles for the week. We only had one guy yell at us, but for the most part it was just quiet and creepy. I will say running through a quiet town is almost creepier than the woods. Especially when you don’t know what is lurking behind buildings or bushes. Dani was hauling and I almost had a hard time keeping up with her!

Leg 3 stats:

Time started- I don't know, my watch was being a brat

Ran 2.82 miles in 22:23

4 roadkill

After we exchanged with van 1 at Oak Harbor High School, we were all thoroughly exhausted. We opted to stay at Oak Harbor and try and get some shut eye before heading to the last major exchange at Coupeville High School. It is hard to sleep in a van; no position is really that comfortable. I did manage to get in at least 60 minutes of sound sleep before it was time to hit the road. Before I knew it were on off on the last leg of our Ragnar adventure.

I was really groggy when I got the final handoff from Leana. Must have been the lack of sleep and the fact that every muscle hurt and my feet were feeling achy. My last leg was a tough one, but you could not beat the scenery on Whidby Island. It was gorgeous! I tried to soak it all in because it was truly breathtaking. The hills were tough, they seemed to go on further. My mantra “what goes up, must come down” wasn’t doing me much good. I felt as if I was always going up and there wasn’t enough down before I was going back up. I tanked in the last mile. I saw this humongous hill I had to run up to exchange with Kim and I about had a heart attack. I finally decided I would run better if I did run/jog/wog which is exactly what I did.

First roadkill on my last leg (photo credit Dani?)

Crazy hill, but beautiful views (photo credit Dani?)

Wanting to die here! (photo credit Dani?)

Leg 4 stats:

Time started- 9:55 am

Ran 8.48 miles in 1:08:26

7 roadkill

It was a great feeling to be finished, but I was sad at the same time. As hard as my last mile was, I really didn’t want it to end. I truly had the most amazing experience at Ragnar. Since I was the first runner in our van I quickly changed into some clean clothes and then cheered on the rest of my teammates as we made our way to the finish line in Langley.

26 roadkills for the win! (Zoe and I tied in van #2)

A new wonderful friend from across the country- Dani!

Zoe, ME, Kim, & our amazing driver Bruce

Dani and myself

Team Nuunsense at the finish line

Leana and I had matching Ragnar socks

We unfortunately didn’t have a ton of time to hang out and celebrate at the finish line because my flight back to Spokane left at 8:00 pm. After some team photos and shopping in the Ragnar store we grabbed our pizza and hit the road back to Seattle.

Bruce dropped me off at the airport with 30 minutes to spare before my plane boarded. Thank goodness our team managed to make up over an hour deficit on our last legs. As I sat waiting for my plane to board I immediately felt sorry for who ever would have to sit next to me. I am sure I was an awful sight to look at! I got home around 9:15 and only stayed awake long enough for puppy kisses with my two favorite girls and a hot shower. I was out like a light before 10 pm.

I cannot thank Nuun enough for allowing me this opportunity. Ragnar is my favorite running memory to date. If I could do it all over again tomorrow I would. HUGE thanks to Kim for being an amazing van captain and taking care of all of us. Her brownies were the most amazing treat I have ever tasted. Best post run treat I have had in a long time. Another HUGE thanks to Bruce who was our driver. He was the best driver and support system a team could ever ask for.

 Now who wants to run a relay with me?! Anyone????

--Tasha