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Ragnar Relay Great River 2010 - RunOther


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Winona to Minneapolis, MN, Minnesota
United States
Ragnar Relay Series
85F / 29C
Overcast
Total Time = 31h 50m
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = Old Farts- Mixe
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Left after work and drove the 3 hours to La Crosse and stayed at Mom's with my Bro, SIL, and nephew that were also racing. Got up at 5:00 and picked the rest of my "van" mates at the Hotel and we left for Winona, MN.

Got checked in, got everything situation with the "van" that we were gonna call home for the next 48 hours and got Chris, our first runner off the blocks at about 7:30 am.
Event warmup:

Got back in the van and drove to the fist exchange. Hurry and wait was the name of the game. Cheered for all the other teams and waited to see Chris.
Run
  • 3h 00m 53s
  • 20.25 miles
  • 08m 56s  min/mile
Comments:

Overall a very good couple of runs for me, I could tell I had trained and was ready for this mileage. The team nicknamed the animal because I was just eating up the mileage with no issues. The only stronger teammate had to be Jeff, El Jefe, as he was aptly named climbed some serious hills! I ended up running part of a 4th leg because one of the guys on the team was Dehydrated and we didn't feel he should push himself. This was a great experience and I would recommend it to anybody that likes to have fun. Some of the costumes and Van decorations were crazy funny and with close to 400 teams competing it was a great festive atmosphere.

Sleep was the only issue, we got about 3 hours in between legs in the gym at Prescott, WI. So after the adrenline wore off, I have put in some serious Z's during the last 2 nights. I also killed some serious calories at both major stops!

Stage 2/36- Ragnar Great River Relay
My first segment of the Great River Relay. 6.2 miles of rolling hills up SR-35 in WI. Decent run, was excited about the race so I pushed a couple of hills but knew I had lots of running left to do so stayed within myself.

Stage 14/36- Ragnar Great River Relay
8.4 miles of hill work up SR-35 in WI. One big hill of 2 mile climb with 852' feet of climbing and then back down. Then another steep hill just throw in to keep you on your game. Run went exactly as planned, I wanted to run 9 min/miles to the hill and 10:30's up it and then finish with 9's again. Very hot night with lots of gnats. I made the mistake of drinking a little Gatorade that we had in "the Home on wheels" which I know does not sit with me and started to pay a little at about mile 7.5. So the bugs and the belly were minor issues, but I felt great when it was done that I did it exactly the way I planned it out.

Stage 26/36- Ragnar Great River Relay
3.8 miles on SR-95 in MN. Couple of decent hills but it was short enough that I knew I could go. Wanted to really push it, but Mike was hurting and we thought it best that I pick up some his Leg.

Stage 30/36- Ragnar Great River Relay
Ran the first 2 miles in Mikes stage through Woodbury, MN. Some hills, but decent course except for 2 intersections. Handed off to big Mike and watched him roll. He deserved to run the last mile and finish his legs of the race, he worked his tail off earlier.
What would you do differently?:

Decorate the Van better, maybe coordinate some costumes for the finish?

Bring the sound track from Saturday Night Live because were definitely "Livin in a Van down by the River" for 2 days!

Bring more air fresher for the Van, man 6 sweaty and stinky runners without showers for a couple of days.....man that is not a good combination, but the source of many funny jokes and comments! Remember, what happened in the van, stays in the van.
Post race
Warm down:

I had not run for a couple of hours when the team hit the finish line, so I had a couple of Irish Ambers while we were waiting along with some pizza, nachos, quesidillas, etc. I could not get enough calories.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

First race of this type so I held back not knowing how my body would react to the miles on such limited sleep. Could have pushed a little harder on Leg 2 and Leg 3. The humid weather sure keep the sweat rolling, I soaked both pairs of my running shoes to point they were squishy by the end of the race.

Event comments:

Already being recruited to do the AZ race in Feb. We will see if fits in the schedule. If not, we are planning on running the Great River again next year!




Last updated: 2010-03-29 12:00 AM
Running
03:00:53 | 20.25 miles | 08m 56s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Course: Rolling hills along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi through some of the smallest little towns I have every seen.
Keeping cool Below average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2010-08-23 2:31 PM

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Master
1372
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Tosa, WI
Subject: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010


2010-08-23 2:34 PM
in reply to: #3059427

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Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010

NIce job!  Sleep is always the issue with that race!

2010-08-23 2:45 PM
in reply to: #3059427

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Expert
1027
100025
Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010
Sounds like a fun time nice work. I cant imagine trying to nap in short periods of time like that
2010-08-23 3:21 PM
in reply to: #3059427

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Elite
3395
20001000100100100252525
Raleigh
Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010
That is unlike any race I have hard of. Did you have to stretch and loosen up? Great job!
2010-08-23 4:05 PM
in reply to: #3059427

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Pro
4100
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Wherever the trail takes me, WA.
Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010
Looks like a blast!
2010-08-23 5:04 PM
in reply to: #3059427

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Champion
7163
500020001002525
Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!
Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010
Nice job...you and your five stinky friends should add the Great Midwest Relay to the calendar!


2010-08-24 8:30 AM
in reply to: #3059776

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Champion
9060
5000200020002525
Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010
Great job, that actually sounds like a lot of fun.
2010-08-24 1:15 PM
in reply to: #3059427

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Champion
6973
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marietta
Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010
awesome cool down!  looks like fun.  they have a bunch of these relays back in texas if you're ever inclined to do one down there
2010-08-24 6:54 PM
in reply to: #3059427

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Elite
3072
200010002525
san francisco
Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay Great River 2010
Great job out there on those hills! 

I agree, it sounds like a really good time.  Way to go!
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