Ragnar...When can I do it again? #ragnarsocal

Okay, I realize I am only 4 days out from Ragnar SoCal, but honestly I am ready to do it again. I found it to be such an amazing and fun adventure I can't wait to do it again. I say I won't captain a team again for a while, and yet I am already contemplating a team for Ragnar Napa? What is my problem! Oh wait it is because I have been talking to quite a few Mother Runners interested in the idea. Will it happen, not sure yet, but let me tell you what I would do differently next time.

Rum Runners Team 311 Bib and Finishers Medal

1 -  when you get your team together, or even at least a good idea that the team is coming together, think logistics and GET THE VANS RENTED. Hint: The deposit is refundable so just get them before the prices go up or they are gone and you have to live in a mini van. Mini vans are doable, we did it, but 12 Passanger is better. Also - consider where the runners are coming from. Relays are point to point so if some are coming from the start and some from the finish get a van from each point so no one has to drive something even smaller! Buy decorations and get crazy with the van decor, once they are rented and the name is decided have fun with it!

2 - Don't forget your shoes. I was so focused on my clothes and making sure I had all that stuff I almost forgot the most imporant piece of equipment! My shoes!

Third - Enjoy teammate bonding time whenever you can! We started by spending the night before at Downtown Disney. Okay, so part of that was because my High School friend is just a little of a fanatic about Disney, and hey I love the place too! In hind sight we probalby should have tried to have a team meeting between all 12 of us. But Ronda and I got to relive some High School memories!

Ronda and I just outside of Disneyland - just like sophmore year of High School!
 

4 - Plan on not really spending much time with the other van until the finish line. I couldn't wait to see my college friend (who I haven't seen in 15 years). But that didn't happen until I handed off at Exchange 6 and then we had time for a sweaty hug and for her van to take off. We got to visit at the "after" party (talking about later) but still not enough time to catch up!

Brenda (College Friend) and I at the finish line!

5 - When running, plan for stop lights to slow you down and stay in a positive happy place! I have struggled all along with the fact that I am a slow runner. This was proven by the number of times I was "killed" (Ragnar term for being passed) during my 8.7 mile first leg. Be prepared if you are a slower runner to get to your happy place when running and have some rebuttal when the negative thoughts come in. It took me about 1/2 a mile to get out of that negative mindset. But I got there!

6 - Be prepared at night when you are running for just about anything to happen. This includes running through a downtown area at 2 AM when the bars are closing. Decked out in your safety gear it is still nice to see other runners and keep them close to avoid the drunks and other interesting characters stumbling their way home.  As my mother says "nothing good happens after Midnight." While I may not always agree with that, since I am running and that is good right? It is still a little nerve wracking to get through that mile. It is again a mental game as much as a physical game. I did have headphones, but in hindsight I would probably have left them behind for this leg.

Finishing my 2nd run at 2:30 AM

7 - The finish line is an awesome atmosphere and you should do your best to have the WHOLE team there to cheer on the final runner as you cross the finish line! Ragnar is an incredible experience that will not be regretted! Something about seeing a group of 12 all wearing the same thing running across the finish line knowing you have accomplished an epic run that you would never have been able to do on your own (unless you are an ultra runner and then disregard that statement)!

Finally - If you want to have an after party do it the NEXT MORNING! Breakfast party would be a great idea! We had a wonderful get together at our house afterwards, but it may have been more fun and less tiring if we had hosted breakfast the next day so we could all sleep. Somehow going on only 1.5 hours of sleep and then trying to catch up with everyone, you aren't really able to focus on all that happened. 

Sunday after the run was spent sleeping, thankfully my daughter was on board with that idea!

I am still processing and thinking about how to train better for the next one. Would I captain another one, maybe. Would I join another team, in a heartbeat! But for now I keep reminding myself I have a 1/2 Marathon coming up in May that I need to stay focused on. Hmmm. . . guess I will start making sure my training doesn't slack now!