Running the Ragnar

Last weekend I ran the Wasatch Back - Ragnar Relay. For those who don't know what this is - it's a 12 man team rely race that starts in Logan and ends in Park City - 182 miles. I heard how much fun this run was and how it was an awesome experience from some woman in our ward recruiting for a team, and so, despite the cost, I gave in (I'm a cheapo - who pays to run?). Each person on the team has three legs. So while the first car of 6 people are running thier legs, car 2 gets to rest or eat. I was in car 2, and since I cannot eat and then run anytime soon after, and since we only get about a three hour break before we start running again, it soon became what they call an "experience". Sure, it was fun, just like the idea of having a kid is fun. The idea sounds great, and there are definite highlights, and a lot of good times, but you never realize how much stinkin' work it is and how hard it really is until you go through it! And just like having a kid, maybe if I had enough time to forget what I just went through then yes, I'd say I would do it again. Well, for journaling sake ( this is long!) I will post my times. My first and Second leg the competitive side definitely got the best of me. This guy from a running club kept trying to pass me and it threw me for a loop. Anyways, the first leg was only 3.5 miles, mostly flat. It was really an easy run except for that it was 3:30 and 90 degrees outside which drains you way faster than you could imagine. And like I said I ran it a lot faster than my usual slow and steady - due to my pride. I ran it in 28 min. The second leg was my favorite. It was a night run under a full moon at 12:30 at night. It was 6 miles downhill and the last mile up = 7 miler. I loved it, I love running downhill because it takes more effort to go slow than to go fast, so I got to feel like I was a fast runner, that is until that last mile, when reality hits. It was a fun run, but the pounding of downhill for 6 miles definitely to a toll on my legs. I ran it in 51 min. The last leg I was beat. I had a 5 miler that steadily went uphill. It was in the mid 70's at about 10:30 am. I knew the only way I was going to finish was by going slow and steady - so I was pleasantly surprised to find out I ran it in a 9 minute mile pace. So there you have it - running 16.5 miles in 1 day, at different times. The only word I can use to describe the "experience" is CRAZY. My legs were feeling mostly recovered yesterday and then I played a soccer game which seemed to negate any progress. Hopefully they get some feeling back so we can play while we are in Sun Valley this next week!