Race Report: SoCal Ragnar Relay (April)

Ragnar Relay has been on my consideration list for years.  Typically my Training has prevented me from joining a team.  This year, I vowed to do it.  Not all the Fab5'ers were "in", so when I got the opportunity to join a team with some old friends, I jumped on it.



Van 1

 

Ragnar Relay is a relay of 12 Runners (6 if you want to do the Ultra), in 36 hours, traveling approximately 200 Miles.  Our team, "OC Ragarnauts" consisted of all "virgins".  Not one of us had ever participated in a Ragnar... and so we had NO clue what we were getting ourselves into.  Well now, if you are gonna jump in deep, you might as well have no clue what you got yourself into. 




Team at 2nd Major Hand off

 
First thing's first with Ragnar: 
Get your team.  After signing up with my friends, we realized we had a few spots to fill.  Shirtless Josh and Fisherman joined the roster.  So at the end of the day we had a mixed bag of old and new friends.

Each Runner, then had a chance to make their case for which Runner we wanted to be for the Race.  I ended up with Runner #4.  Decent Mileage + average intensity helped make my decision.   

Ragnar Requirements:

Next, fill your volunteer duties.  Rules are - if even one member of your team is within a 100 mile radius to any point on the course, the team will need to provide 3 volunteers for the Race.  Can't find a volunteer, no prob, Ragnar will find one for you at the tune of $120/volunteer in addition to your Race entry fee ($120/racer).  Money goes to a local charity, but our team ended up having to "buy" one volunteer.  Cha-Ching!

Rules, rules, rules... and more rules  Ragnar has a "bible" devoted to all the rules.  I found one at:  http://www.ragnarrelay.com/ragnar/about/rules  There's rules for the vans, rules for the Runners, rules for folk in the van but not Running, rules if you cheer, rules on where to sleep... rules for just about everything.  But at the end of the day, it was a lot more intimidating on paper than in reality.  Our group was most concerned with the "no alcohol" rule.  That almost caused the Fab5'ers to gracefully back out of Ragnar.

Safety is a HUGE thing for Ragnar.  Safety vests & lights were part of the requirements on check-in (yup, we had to show proof upon check-in).  Each team was required to have 12 reflective vests + 4 headlamps + 4 LED back lights.  I tried to put off purchasing my reflective vest as long as I could, but for approx $30 I broke down and bought one (admittedly envious, I didn't have Sparkles' Waste Management vest - I'm still curious how she got it).  Needless to say... another expense to the cause.  Cha-ching!


Team Captain:  Cecilia

And then... you got all the fun logistics to figure out... correction:  all the fun logistics our Team Captain Cecilia figured out:  Vans, van rentals, drivers, food, packing, safety equipment check list, contact/emergency contact lists...

At the end fo the day, our stats were:  12 Runners averaging an 8:30/10k pace + 1 rental van + 1 suburban w/ soft top + 1 designated driver + camping gear, ear plugs, beef jerky, raisins (why?), Gatorade and tutus (essential!).  OC Ragarnaunts were ready to go!



Baby wipes and toilet paper saved the day!



Let's skip ahead to the Race:

Van 1 met on PCH at Huntington Street (across from the Hilton). 

Ragnar doesn't have a group start time.  Instead, each team requests a start time... then based on how quickly your request came through and the team's average pace - so some folks started at 6:30, we had a start time of 9:30. 

Pulling into the parking lot - talk about excitement!  Vans coming (signing in), vans going (off to track their Runner).  People changing into costume.  People writing on their vans... some getting a massage (way to take advantage of an opportunity).  It was like a bee hive with activity on full throttle.  

Check in consisted of safety meetings and proof of vests/lights.  After some repacking to get the Van in order we headed over to the start line to see our Runner #1 (Sharon) off on the course.  Coffee in hand, we cheered Sharon on and then jumped in the Van to begin the shenanigans. 

Meanwhile, Van 2 participants were just waking up... their check in wasn't until much later in the day.

So, what did we get ourselves into??

Ragnar felt like the good ol' days of high school cross country.  Vans were decorated.  Costumes were plentiful.  And team names were, uh, short of appropriate.  Totally my scene!

Our team had some orange tutus that were purchased for "flare" by a few of our teammates.  I'm not sure they were originally meant to be worn as the signature team statement by all members... but, after watching the hand off between Sharon and our Team Captain, Cecilia we realized 1) Orange Tutu = easy to find your teammate in a crowd for hand offs and 2) Orange Tutu = ...well, it was character building for our guys. 

For the record, it's still so satisfying when I heard Shirtless Josh say, "I'm NOT wearing a tutu!"...

"NO, tutu!"



...and with said "denied" tutu...

"Well, maybe this once..."

Each Van has 6 Runners.  Van 1 travels around to each hand off to drop off and pick up their Runner (#1 - 6).  Basically, you are on the move the whole time.  Dropping off/picking up your Runner.  Driving frantically in a sea of white rental Vans to the next station. Eventually you come to recognize other teams and the competitive edge sinks in to "pick off" Runners on your Leg (aka Kills - to be honest our group didn't care for this approach but many others kept track of the number of kills by marking up their vans).

Major Hand Off:  Approx midnight

When you pass off from Runner #6 to Runner #7, or Runner #12 to Runner #1, it's called a Major Hand off.  Here you can find food, drinks, music and... well, more energy (aka adrenaline).  At these Major Exchanges, our group was giddy with excitement when we got to reconnect with Van 2.  Truthfully, we wished the group could have been all together through the whole experience (the idea of traveling in an RV was discussed, but quickly killed because of The Rules), but that's what the after party if for, right?? 

When your Van is not "on", it is free to do whatever.  Go have a sit down meal, hit up the designated "sleep space" or shadow the other Van cheering their Runner on.  Our group opted to get the sit down meal or power nap for an hour.

What's hard to capture in a recap are all the funny (ok delirious) moments had on a 36 hour adventure.  I can try to recount the competition between our two Vans (literally running each other down and bringing in sub-7 min miles) just to limit the other Van's power naps by 20 mins or so... or attempt to explain the wrongful use of safety flags when used for a Drill Team routine during stopped traffic... but it can't be replicated and most likely the humor won't be appreciated with a fresh mind.  But I will say this... Ragnar lives up to being a unique, overnight running experience that's sure to keep you talking months later!

Perks of the Race:

• I'll say it again:  a unique, overnight, running experience
• 36 hours of stories and jokes
• 12 Running friends traveling approx 200 miles, for fun
• Well organized Race considering the logistics
• Bathrooms at every Hand off
• Food, drinks, music at every Major Hand off
• I felt safe the entire Race - between the precautions of the organizers & safety equipment
• Team spirit - costumes, Van tagging, cow bells, and wigs galore *heart*
• Volunteers were pretty awesome - even if we had to pay for some of them
• Awesome medals - that doubled as bottle openers
• Felt like an all nighter from High School, where we just caused running havoc on the town
• One free pizza per 6 people, at the Finish
• Beer at the Finish - $2 for the first and $5 after
• Great Race apparel - cool, navy, dry fit Ragnar Race shirt
• Goodie Bag provided for each Van by Race - temporary tattoos, toilet paper roll, GU, cliff shots and maps
• Most portions of the course were pretty awesome!  Of course you have to expect at some point in 200 miles you'll be running in the dead heat, on a tiny bike lane, in the middle of nowhere (aka that road we took from Temecula to Carlsbad)

Things that sucked about the Race:

• The Race website has some opportunities - you really had to dig for the info you wanted
• Costs can creep up if you aren't prepared (it's not just a race entry fee - van rental, etc)
• One of our Volunteers didn't know where to check in, etc - she was wondering for awhile without direction from the organizers
• Be prepared to run in all kinds of weather/degrees - noon on the River Trail SUCKED, but the morning pass off by Torey Pines was windy and cold
• Van smell
• If your Van got lost, or someone was faster than anticipated (and Van 2 was still sleeping), you're stuck - meaning you have to wait for the next Runner in your group to arrive for your hand off
• Wish we could park overnight at the start of the race - we ended up parking at the Hilton Hotel because our group didn't carpool in together (another $28)
• Team spirit was awesome but in some cases teams ONLY cheered for their team - it's against my nature and I wished more folks on the course were encouraging to all
• Likewise, one of our Volunteers had a run-in with an overly competitive spectator... I still think Robbie's response to the Rude Spectator was priceless!
• Without a doubt, the Race should of had food trucks or food for sale at the finish line - we were three beers in and starved



Whole Group Finish line



Net, net:

I loved this Race.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  I was exhausted for a week afterwards from the all nighter, but stoked to be a participant.  Our team was awesome, and some are signing up for Napa.  Sadly, I have to miss the fun.  Given the friendships I gained/strengthened during the trip + the unique all night running experience + the bragging rights to say we started in Huntington Beach and finished in downtown San Diego... I give this Race an 8.5 out of 10, and highly recommend it!  "Dry Course" and all...