I did not have plans to run Ragnar Minnesota this year, but left it open just in case the opportunity presented itself. I ran the race last year last minute with a fun group, but the course is different this year and I was curious to see the new route to Duluth. I lucked out and found a team that needed a runner. The captain sent me a link to photos of the team from previous ragnars, just so I could get a sense of what I was getting myself into LOL. I arrived to Minnesota late Thursday night and the captain graciously picked me up, one of 3 trips to the airport to pick up teammates at all hours of the night. We had an air bnb nearby. I met some of the crew and then hit the hay. I was assigned runner 10, so I was in van 2. After a hearty breakfast, we were off to get started! Our team name was "I can't feel my legs, can I feel yours? Here was our lineup for van 2: Runner 7 - Carlos (newbie) from SFO Runner 8 - Tyler from Boston Runner 9 - Sara from SFO Runner 10 - Me Runner 11 - Alec (newbie) from upstate NY Runner 12- Jess (captain) from upstate NY It was nice and sunny, but getting hotter as the day went on. One of the two newbies, Carlos, ended up having a horrific hard hilly long run in the heat, I felt bad for him. Poor guy did not know what he was getting himself into! My first leg would be my longest at 8.9 miles. The first half was in direct sun, but actually went surprisingly well. Then it got more shaded and wound past a lake. I slowed down and took lots of pics. Our exchange was at Big Marine forest park and there was a refreshing lake there. My team ended up enjoying the lake while I was out sweating my butt off! After our last runner finished we headed near the next exchange for dinner. Chubbys bar and grill to the rescue. The restaurants in town had no idea the race would be in town and were completely overwhelmed with the crowds. My next run wouldn’t be until 330 am or so, but I decided I wouldn’t try to sleep until after it was over. We had a large suv but couldn’t stretch out. This run would be 6.1 miles on a forest trail. I was filled with anxiety, worrying about scary forest animals jumping out. We heard reports of bats swooping at people, but it ended up being really pretty, and my fastest run, because I was motivated to not get eaten by a bear! Loved the cool temperatures (around 56) I took a little catnap and then perked right up when someone mentioned breakfast. Went to a tiny small town diner. It was interesting, and I’ll leave it at that. Got another nap after that. Luckily I just had my shortest run left. While we were getting ready for our last set of runs, I heard from my buddy Matt M that he was here running the race, and was able to find him and my insta beer loving friend Matt B, who I had never met in real life. A good chunk of the race was run on the William Munger Trail. I think all of us had at least one of our legs on this trail. Pretty nice, right? During my last leg, the Matts were already done since they were in van 1, so they were at a local watering hole on the course. They were sweet enough to interrupt their celebratory drinking to check on where I was so that they could come out and cheer me on. All of a sudden I looked up and they were all lined up with their bright pink Beer Runner t-shirts, clapping and high fiving me. A highlight, for sure! Then our other new teammate Alec had a crazy 8 or 9 miler with ridiculous inclines in Duluth. The hills there are insane! After that we were off to the finish. I found another insta friend Belinda, 2 of my teammates from team last year, and then the Matts again. Our team enjoyed hanging out at the finish for a bit before cleaning up and heading out for dinner in Duluth. Oh and we actually did pretty well! Check out these results! Overally, I’m so grateful to have found this team. I had a great experience for my 20th Ragnar Relay. Our captain, Jessica, definitely has a no-runner-left -behind mentality. She was great and we had a drama-free weekend. The team has a Tumblr page (yes you read that right!). Check that out if you want to see more pics from this adventure.
I’m not sure if I have a preference of the two courses. It was nice to see Duluth – but a 2.5 hour drive back to the airport is a bit of a drag. Maybe if it started in Duluth and ran to Minneapolis it would be better? I'm excited at the prospect of doing another race with this team in the future, and hopefully on the "Beer Runner" team with the Matts for Michigan next year! Until my next adventure, E
1 Comment
"Disclaimer: I received a Stunt Puppy Go Dog Glo Harness to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!" I’ve never given any thought before to using a harness vs. a traditional collar when walking my dog. I’ve always had used collars. When the opportunity came up to try a harness for my dog, I thought I’d like to see if it changes our walks at all. When I got the package, I had to play with the fit a bit. The initial fit was a little loose, then my cocker spaniel got a haircut (shaved) and all of a sudden it was swimming on him. The harness is easy to adjust to make looser or tighter. My dog needed a little time to adjust to it, he didn’t quite know what to think about it. Just walking around with it on before adding the leash, he seemed a little awkward. I do feel like I had better control of him. He’s only a puller when he sees other dogs or people he wants to greet. The special “martingale – style” leash attachment is what makes this harness unique. This was designed to help with dogs who pull. It sits in between their shoulders for greater control. I’ve actually had a collar slip off before, which is not what you want to happen with other people or dogs around. I had absolutely no worries with this harness. We will continue to practice with this harness, especially when the nicer weather comes around here in AZ! The harness has reflective features, which is super helpful – especially if you walk your dog early in the morning or late at night. In the summers here in Arizona, that is pretty much the only choice we have if we want to not melt.
Stunt Puppy makes collars, leashes, harnesses and ID collars – all Made in the USA! The harness comes in 3 sizes (S, M, L) and 2 colors (blue or black) and retails for $45. You can shop for Stunt Puppy gear here. "Disclaimer: I received a pairs of Shady Rays polarized sunglasses to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!" Summer is in full swing and I rely pretty heavily on my sunglasses. I am pretty tough on sunglasses, I tend to break them easily, or lose them. I tried a pair from Shady Rays earlier this spring and I enjoyed them, so I jumped at the chance for a new pair. I got the matte black sunset. Orange is my favorite color, and the lenses have an orange sunset tint to them. I have been able to wear them for everything from racing and walking to running errands and relaxing poolside. I wore them in two local 5ks around 90 degrees. Even being sweaty, they didn’t slip or get foggy. These glasses are truly for people like me who are on the move and want sunglasses that can keep up with them. In fact, their motto is “Live Hard. We’ve Got You”. I love that. I also love that they have a mission to help others. They are able to secure 10 meals through Feeding America WITH EVERY ORDER PLACED! Now that is what I call a win-win! Their “Live Hard” motto is more than a motto, they have a lifetime warranty and a more than generous replacement program for those times you may lose or break your favorite pair. Speaking of living hard and playing hard… I travel a lot, and my glasses were shoved in a carry on bag. I went to pull them out at Ragnar and noticed that one of the lenses had popped out. I was like “noooooooooo”, but I calmly popped it back in and they have stayed put ever since. Whew! But even if they had broken, they would have had my back with their incredible warranty policy they stand behind. Item specs:
There are currently 54 styles and colors to choose from! Shop their styles here. Now is the perfect time to get new glasses ready for summer! You can get 50% off on TWO or more pairs with code “BIBRAVE”. What are you waiting for! "Disclaimer: I received a CoolNet headband from BUFF USA to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!" I have been a fan of BUFF USA for years. You know, the company that makes the original buffs for Survivor? I’ve tried out many types of their buffs as well as the UV arm sleeves and have always been impressed with their quality and functionality. I tried their cold weather gear, and now it’s time to try warm weather, because duh – I live in Arizona! I don’t tend to wear headbands much because my hair is very thin and fine – and the bands sometimes slide right off. The CoolNet headbands has grippers built in so they stay in place – and I’m happy to report they work great! The first time I wore it was on Global Running Day, when it was around 90 degrees. Worked great! I also wore it in a 5k race in the heat, and it stayed perfectly in place. I was also worried that it would feel hot on my head, but honestly I don't even notice it! I love that it offers sun protection of 50+. I hear that if you freeze it before your run, it will help keep you cool – I’m going to try it on my long run this weekend. Other perks: Made from Recycled material - 95% REPREVE® Polyester made from recycled water bottles HeiQ cooling technology Washable – gentle cycle, air dry Odor Resistant Comes in 12 patterns, check them out here! The CoolNet headband retails for $15.00. I’m going to stock up on a few more, now that I know they work with my hair. You can save 15% on one for yourself (or other BUFF awesomeness) by visiting http://www.buffusa.com/bibrave & signing up for the newsletter. You're welcome!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary supply of ItSpray Vitamins to review and giveaway. Have you taken supplements in pill form and wished you could better control the dosage that is right for you? Personally, I have always hated swallowing supplements the size of horse pills. I try to keep that to a minimum. That is one big reason that the new IT Spray vitamins are such a clever idea. There are 3 types – Boost It for your immunity Charge It for energy Dream It for sleep and mental calm All are infused with vitamins and herbal remedies known to help each area. BOOST it I have been traveling a ton, in and out of airports and airplanes, rife with germs! BOOST it is portable protection that you can customize with the dosage. You don’t have to wait until you’re sick to take it, it also helps your overall health protection for skin, nails, gut health and metabolism. It's a refreshing citrusy flavor. Active Ingredients: Zinc, Vitamin C, & Echinacea. Bonus – it fits the 3oz requirement for travel! CHARGE it There are plenty of mornings when you are dragging and have an early morning meeting, or an early run, gym date, etc. It has natural caffeine and a range of B vitamins for energy on the go, to sharpen your mental game and keep you going. Active ingredients: Ginseng & Ginkgo Biloba , B Vitamins Again, here is where the ability to control your dosage is key. You can do just a few sprays if you just need a quick pick me up, or the full 7 sprays for a full reboot! Charge It comes in a berry flavor. DREAM it I admit it, this was the one I was most excited about trying. I have been taking melatonin as needed off and on for several years now. I fall asleep easily, but I have so much on my mind, that I tend to wake up in the night. I have also been wanting to give 5HTP a try, as a way to control work stress and anxiety. This supplement has it all, and you can take just a little amount, or the full dose. We all know how important sleep is and how it affects pretty much every system in our body.
Active ingredients- 5HTP, Valarian Root & Melatonin. This product is designed to not only calm your mind and eases anxiety, but also helps you fall asleep and stay asleep; Um, yes please! This one comes in berry flavor. DISCOUNT Ready to buy your own? Save 25% off with code GETFIT online. GIVEAWAY Want to win a spray vitamin of your choice? Simply head on over to my twitter page, twitter.com/azsungoddess1 and click on the pinned post. All you need to do is retweet this tweet for your chance to win! Rules: RT my pinned twitter post regarding the giveaway for your chance to enter between Thursday June 6 and Sunday June 9, 2019 at 11:59 EST. Don't have Twitter? Drop a comment on this blog post. One entry per person. Winner will be chosen by random drawing and notified on June 10, 2019. I have thought about doing this race before, but it just seemed “complicated” to get to, so I brushed it off. The race starts in Coburg, Ontario and ends at Niagara Falls, Ontario. We run within Canada the entire time. On a whim I responded to a post on the Ragnar Niagara page for a team needing a runner, and the rest was history. And getting there was a piece of cake! I was super excited to do my first INTERNATIONAL Ragnar, especially since there is a second one planned this fall. I considered it like a trial run. I met my team at the Toronto airport and we rolled out out to Port Hope, where we would spend the night before the race. We had the first available start (5am), as speed was not our forte. Everyone was super friendly, and knew each other already. I was the odd man out, but I’m used to it. The race is definitely one of the smaller ones that I’ve done. The start area was small, and the exchanges were pretty easy to get in and out of. I was runner 6 and I saw that my first leg was 16.59 Km, or just over 10 miles. Yikes. One of the main differences in this Ragnar is all the distance is in Kilometers instead of miles. It definitely messes with your head! This leg had a beautiful start. Right on lake Ontario, on a paved path, then a dirt trail. I did not see a soul for almost 3 miles! Say what! All of a sudden a woman came up behind me and I was like wow, another person! She started chatting me up, and wanted to stay together. I’m typically a solo runner who likes to take walking breaks, but she was a fascinating Canadian, and I wanted to keep talking to her! Qani was a very positive person, waving energetically at anyone we saw – truck drivers, telephone pole repairmen, doesn’t matter. 7 miles later, we were coming up to the finish (after taking a wrong turn on the trail), and she couldn’t believe it. I said “grab my hand, girl, we’re doing this!” and so it was. I have kept in touch with Qani since the race and I’m so glad I met her. After I finished, we headed out for a quintesentially Canadian lunch – poutine! I got something over the top, but I enjoyed it. Then we went to the exchange to rest for a bit. Leg 2 would provide a different type of scenery – a downtown Toronto skyline view near the waterfront. It was 5.7 mles. The first few miles honestly were a bit sketchy with lots of transients, but once I was in the heart of downtown and other runners were nearby, it was more fun. The CN tower was on full display. I loved the end of this leg. We had to run up a bridge that was all lit up in bright colors, it just looked fun in a lively setting. After the finish, we drove on to the next big exchange and slept in the van. And by van, I mean minivan. Ugh, not my first choice. Super duper uncomfortable for sleeping. I was sleep and coffee deprived by the time we rolled out for our next set of legs. The team knew how caffeine dependent I am and what a fondness I developed for Tim Horton’s, Canada’s version of Dunkin Donuts. Their coffee and cheese tea biscuits are the bomb – and cheap! Anyhoo, they graciously stopped to get me my goodies right before I ran. I just had a 3.5 miler left to go! My last run had some nice water views, but ran along the shoulder of a highway, which is not my favorite. The finish area was really nice though, a great way to end! Hot damn, van 1 was done and after a 25 mile drive, we got the chance to explore Niagara Falls while waiting for van 2! We took #allthepics. All the hills and walking was exhausting, but fun. I hadn’t been to the falls since I was a kid with my parents. We had lunch and visited all the souvenir shops. Then we went to the finish to wait for Van 2 to arrive. The finish area, like all Ragnars, was stunning. It literally backed up to the falls! Wow. Teeny tiny gear tent, so I wasn’t able to buy anything at the end. No “free” food at the finish, all for purchase. There were “good” beer choices – and everything was in both (a little overpriced) in US and CAN prices. But the best surprise was seeing the bonus medal tent. I had been told that only US Ragnar races qualify for the bonus medals, which made me extremely sad. It’s a huge motivator for me in doing these races. Our team was super happy to see the medal lady sitting there, as many of us had already done Ragnars this year. Made my day. This team was very easygoing. They do several Ragnar Relays a year, so there is a good chance I will get to do another one with them in the future! So, the main differences were -
Running in Canada was unique and I would definitely do it again! Canada kind of puts their own spin on everything. I fell in love with the scenery and the local favorites like Tim Hortons. This experience made me even more excited for my next International Ragnar Relay race, coming this fall! "Disclaimer: I received an Gear Vest Pro from OrangeMud to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!" It’s only May, but summer has arrived in Arizona already. Even short runs/workouts are going to need water. Enter the OrangeMud Gear Vest Pro. I have owned several hydration packs, including the OrangeMud Endurance Pack. They each fulfill a specific purpose. The Gear Vest Pro has a much smaller footprint than anything else I own – Yet it has literally everything I need. Bottom line – it has all the storage, the awesome “chip clip” bladder closure (my own description) and room for 35 oz water. Specs: Weight: 11.2oz, Bladder Size: 1L (35oz) included. Sport Focus: Ride, Run, Explore. Cargo: 5L Pocket config: Pocket 1 - 1L Bladder, Pocket 2 - Bulk Cargo, Pocket 3 - Zipper secured cargo and secure key clip. Ok now it was time to put it to the test! I tried it on and it felt a little odd with the straps fitting just above and below my breasts. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it looked a little funny to me. A fellow BibRavePro suggested criss crossing the straps to make it more comfortable if necessary. Either way works! You’re supposed to cinch the sides first to get the right fit before doing the front straps. The storage is impressive. In addition to the large zip up compartment across the back which can hold way more than it looks – you can easily stash extra clothes, hat, gloves, whatever in there – there are two lower compartments in the front that can hold up to a plus sized phone, keys, or a soft flask. There are also two pockets at the shoulder design to hold gels. The pack was designed for a variety of sports – running, biking and hiking. There are even loops to hold hiking poles! Now that’s cool.The bladder comes out for easy washing and the whole pack can be washed easily. I took it out for a hike and it was perfect. I wanted to stay hands –free because I am a total klutz and need to keep my hands free to break my fall if I trip on rocks or roots. I carried my phone, keys, headphones, sunglasses, my tripod for pics and of course a liter of water! This product retails for $129.95. I received orange (my favorite!!!) but it comes in 3 colors – also lime green and coyote brown. I totally recommend this! It’s great for shorter distances (with the ability to stretch for longer distances with extra flasks) and I can bring everything I need to be out for a long time.
Want one of your own? Code “BIBRAVEGVPRO” saves 15%! OrangeMud is such a well respected outdoor lifestyle brand. I’ve never been disappointed with any of their products! "Disclaimer: I received a complimentary entry to the Santa Barbara Wine Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!" Let me start with this: The Santa Barbara Wine Half Marathon exceeded my expectations. From start to finish. My friend and I ran the relay, as team “Zin It To Win It”. I had never ran a half marathon relay before. Why don’t more half marathons offer relay options? It was such a wonderful option when there were so many other fun things to do and experience. We arrived in Solvang on Friday morning, the day before the race. I’ve been wanting to see this town for a while, and it did not disappoint! On Friday, it was a bit overcast and rainy, but we did plenty of shopping and beverage tasting that day. Every single shop owner was SO friendly and welcoming. I bought a cute souvenir for my porch and the shop owner offered my friend and I some “God’s Eyes” charms for good luck. We wore them on our race bibs. Once packet pickup was open, it was a total breeze! Plenty of spots for photo opps, and Firestone Walker was there with beer samples. Also there was yoga so folks could get stretched out before the race. We were all smiles, knowing that this relay option was the best decision ever. All the fun of a lively half marathon (and finishers party!) with only “half” of the hard work. We stayed a block away from the start, so convenient. Thank you to race organizers who decided to move the start to downtown Solvang! Much appreciated. We spent the rest of the day eating in wonderful restaurants and taking in all the Danish charm. We met up with fellow BibRave Pro Rory and walked to the start. I was going to be runner #2, so I walked my friend to the start area and then grabbed a coffee and got on the shuttle bus. Have I mentioned how relaxing it was??!!!! I waited at the transition for Connie for quite a while, or so it seemed. Finally she came running down and I was off. I had assumed (I honestly hadn’t checked) that we would have fairly equal amounts of distance. Wrong! Within a few minutes I hit the 6 mile marker. Say what! Shouldn’t I have started around 6.5 and be closing in on 7? Bummer. Then the work started. Less than ¾ mile in, I was greeted with “corkscrew hill”. This was a massive hill with switchbacks. I had a decent pace going until that point, but alas, I had to walk a bit of it (and take pics)! The course was tough, but I absolutely loved the scenery. I enjoyed the rolling hills and vineyards so much. Oh, and it was perfect weather! Sunny and 55-60. There was another large hill between mile 11-12 that I was not expecting. Again, I had a great pace going but couldn’t keep it up the hill. I let Connie know once I was a mile out so she would be ready and we could cross the finish line together. Every mile marker had a wine bottle design. Cute! So cool! Upon finishing, I got my medal (she got hers at the relay transition) and they handed me my souvenir wine glass, which I love. We entered the finisher festival, and the party was well underway! It was pretty crowded and barely any table space was available. Lines were a bit long to get samples, but they were UNLIMITED!! Small, but unlimited. And the wineries were more than happy to explain all the varieties and educate us. The band, Mean Gene Band (MGB) was so good. They crossed the 70’s, 80s 90s and beyond. They even took requests and had an encore. We decided to take a photo on the steps while they were playing and then moments later, people started copying our idea. My only complaint is the lack of food inside the finisher festival. If we’re going to be drinking, it would be nice to offer (even if we had to pay) for some snacks to soak it up a little. We received a pre-packaged assortment of a banana, granola bar, pretzels and a Danish butter cookie at the finish, but some cheese and crackers would have gone so nicely with that wine… So, I ended up running 7.45 miles, and my friend ran 5.65. I cannot recommend this race enough, whether you run the entire half by yourself or as a relay. This was a terrific destination race, and I would absolutely run it again. Solvang has so much to offer. Lodging/Food/Drink highlights: Hotel - We stayed at Svengaard’s which is conveniently located to town. Breakfast - I highly recommend the Belgian Café for unique Belgian waffles. Lunch/Dinner – We enjoyed French onion soup at Solvang Brewing Company and to die for meatloaf at Succulent. Wine/Beer - Viking Garden and the Sausage Garden both have great craft beer selections. Sausage Garden is all outdoor, so we skipped it when it was raining. Danish Reds are popular type of beer here in town. The Good Life Cellar is underground by the park, and has a nice selection of beer and wine and a nice ambiance. We enjoyed some tastings around town, including one inside of a windmill – Sevtap Winery. Sanger Family of Wines was really nice and super modern as well. Danish Bakeries – there is literally one on every corner here. Check them out! Unique activities – we rented a “Surrey with a Fringe On Top” to cruise around town. Um, that was hard work and maybe not the best idea after running a half marathon. Unique experience, though! Getting there - Santa Barbara airport is about 40 minutes away, and San Luis Obispo is about an hour. Next year’s race will be on May 9, 2020, mark your calendars!
Cheers! "Disclaimer: I received a complimentary entry to the Santa Barbara Wine Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!" I just came back from a short weekend in southern California, and it is totally making me excited to go back to California for the Santa Barbara Wine Half Marathon in a few weeks! Race management recently announced that the race would now start and finish in the adorable Dutch village of Solvang. This is SUPER convenient, since that is where we are staying and now I don’t need to stress over how to get to the start. The start, finish, and after party are now all in one scenic spot! There are several incredible wineries participating as featured partners and they are offering special discounts if you show your bib. Check out the list here. Oh, and have you seen the medals!?! Cute and functional! It’s a wine stopper. And don’t forget, you can do this as a half, or bring your gal pal and run it relay-style! Either way, you get to see some great scenery and enjoy a very festive after party.
Prices are going up soon, Join me and save 10% with SBBR10 Cheers! It’s funny how some of the things you don’t plan on doing end up being some of the most enjoyable experiences. I did not have plans to run Ragnar So Cal this year, as it fell on a weekend my husband was working, and no one I knew was putting together a team. A few weeks before the race, someone reached out to me on Instagram with an opening. It came from a team that has been doing Ragnars together for about a decade and just happened to have some last minute openings. I was intrigued but not sure if I could really swing it. I actually turned her down, and then she came back to me with a compromise that I couldn’t say no to. It allowed me to come in late and leave earlier so that my time away from home would be minimal. Since she had two openings, I mentioned it to my friend Connie and she was In! This was probably one of the most, if not the most, organized teams I’ve ever participated on, and I have captained 2 teams before myself! Detailed emails, spreadsheets, and a conference call to make sure we had all the logistics straight. Impressive! We flew in Friday morning, grabbed some food on the go and headed to the first major exchange since we were in van 2. Ran into our teammate from Ragnar Del Sol, Stormie. We took over from van 1, quick introductions, and were off. I was runner 11 so it would still be many hours until I got to run. Weather was around 70 and sunny! I had 4 miles on leg one, with a decent elevation gain. There was 8 zillion stoplights, roughly every .3 mile it seemed. Then the hills started, so my powerwalking started. This run SUCKED. I pulled it together to finish strong, though! After Jeremy, our lone man in van 2, finished his leg, we took lots of beach pics since we were finally by the water. And then ended with a nice dinner with a great view in Carlsbad. After dinner we got a little time to stretch out before we started back up near San Marcos. I typically dread my night runs because I’m a scaredy cat, but after my horrible afternoon run, this was blissful. It was another 4 miler, with a little bit of nature path and then through some nice neighborhoods. I’m pretty sure I heard both coyotes and roosters while I was on the nature path. The weather was really nice, though. And it wasn’t hilly, so BONUS! We stayed pretty on schedule during the whole race. We went to a hotel where we got over 3 hours of sleep and then a good breakfast. Yes! I had a little bit of dread in the back of my mind since I knew I still had my longest run in front of me. In all my previous ragnars, I have never had the “Ragnar Leg” which is typically the longest or hardest of the whole race. It was fate when there were only 2 openings and one of them was the Ragnar leg. But I had the whole day to stress over it since I wouldn’t run until 1:30 in the heat of the day. Meanwhile, we got to start our last legs at the Torrey Pines Gliderport, which has incredible views. The vibrant wildflowers made it all the more epic. Finally, it was go time. I actually thought it would be a little prettier than it was. It started out cross-crossing all over the place but ended up on a path near sea world, through pacific beach where I passed tons of breweries and taprooms and wanted to stop, then up a RIDICULOUS hill with 700 ft elevation gain. It was 9.3 miles and I just wanted it to be done. Ocean breezes helped a lot though, for part of it. Ta Da! Isn’t it pretty? We headed to the finish to meet up with van 1 and await Jeremy’s arrival. As soon as we crossed the finish and took all the obligatory pics, it was all business as they doled out shots of fireball. What? This was a new tradition to me, but one I can work with! After hanging out for a bit, we said our goodbyes and my Ragnar friend Alex gave us a ride to the airport in his fancy Tesla. Being a part of Team ATR (All The Ragnars) was such a blessing. From start to finish, it was top notch! Everyone was SO friendly and easygoing. No drama! Excited to be part of their family now, and do more races together with them in the future. Made some good running friends, for sure!
You never know what fun lies just around the corner when you least expect it! Until next time... |
Author
Hi, I'm Emily! I'm an avid runner in Arizona with a passion for travel and racing around the country! FOLLOW ME!
SUBSCRIBE
Archives
September 2023
|