Ragnar Relay
Has anyone ever participated in one of these 24hr. Team Relay events? What did you think of it? Any thoughts/tips?
As a fun Kick-Off to my 2012 year I agreed to support a friends team in the Ragnar Relay Florida...this is a team relay running event from Miami to Key West ...~ 200miles. Starts 6am Friday Morning 1/6/2012 and (hopefully) ends in Key West on Saturday Morning...Typically a team of 12 runners...each running 15-20 each...As fate would have it...our team is short...so I will be taking two legs and running a total of about 40miles..(longest leg is 9)...As this is not a race I'm not concerned about trashing my bod/legs/mind...(I have done 50+ in 12hours on my own once before as part of a 24hr. relay..LOL funny to think I cut it short by running only 12hrs/50miles- just wanted to get the 50mile plaque...)
Anyone in FLA wanted to pick up one of the open slots? Lets of Margarits or Dos Equis waiting in Key West!
Comments
I highly recommend it. I have done 4 of them, plus I have an ultra team put together for the Adirondack Ragnar in Sept 2012. They are a great way to do something crazy fun with your fitness.
Pete
I ran the Hood to Coast Relay in Aug 2011 - it was a blast. I'm sure you'll have fun too. Nothing like running three 10Ks in the span of 24 hours, sitting in a minivan with 5 other sweaty runners, little sleep, gallons of Gatorade disappearing, sitting in traffic jams, etc. A couple of suggestions: 1) bring a clean set of running clothes for each of your run segments and put everything you'll need (socks, shorts, top, etc) for each relay leg in a separate big baggie (when done with each leg and after you cool off/dry off, change into your clean kit for the next leg and you can put the sweaty clothes into baggie). This way you ride in the van in clean clothes and have a place to put the wet clothes. 2) get some good snacks (chocolate, cookies, mints, etc) in addition to normal race food (bagels, powerbars, bananas) for your van, 3) make sure your van has plenty of ice in a cooler, 4) bring an extra pair of running shoes in case it rains or your shoes get really sweaty. Hope this helps. Have fun!!
I've done multiple Hood to Coast and then Cascade Lakes Relay. We've got an Ultra (one van, six runners) team for next year's Cascade Lakes Relay (217 miles). They are a BLAST. Getting in with an experienced team is key as there's a lot of organization that takes place behind the scenes and ahead of time. Sounds like you will have a great time.
Hey Thanks Everyone (especially for the tips)...I'm looking forward to the event....
I was running with a woman in the middle of the night, when we went by a house full of drunk teenagers having a party. They ran after us screaming and yelling at us, forcing us to pick up our pace for that leg. The teenagers lasted about 1/4 mile.
It's definitely something I think everyone should do at least once in their athletic career.
I did the Ragnar So Cal Relay as an Ultra Masters team. The key is getting people that have a good attitude. It was fun running past a checkpoint that the normal teams would have their runners waiting for their turn and you just run past them. They give you that "you're crazy, but I am impressed" look. We came in second place. The relay ran within a couple miles of my house, so my van of 3 runners and driver were able to get a hot meal and sleep in a bed for a couple of hours and shower. NICE. It is a lot of fun.
Yes, there was an all-Chica team at Ragnar FLK this year and we did it as an Ultra. I need to post a race report so folks can really appreciate what we went through because it turned out to be more than "just an Ultra". I would 100x the recommendations to be careful about picking your team and getting on the same page with expectations from everyone on that team. The amount of fun you have (or don't have) is largely dependent on the people you surround yourself with for these things.
Nemo...would love to read your RR....what was your team/groups/ name or theme...there were alot of good & funny ones....We were 12man Wolfpack#2.....Joel...the team I was on was very social...most were pretty slow and we had a number of people drop out in the last month...so we almost had a default Ultra team (9 people) I ran 6 legs for a total of 41mil...was pleased to run them all comfortably under 8min. pace...wouild love to "race" this with a more serious team...but the event in total was a blast.