As you're reading this, I'll be somewhere along the mountain roads of Utah, running Ragnar. If you are wondering "what is Ragnar?" then you are not alone; lots of people have asked me the same question!
"Ragnar" is a term from Scandinavian mythology. It refers to a man of divine ancestry who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated by bold exploits, and favored of the gods. I'm not sure how the Scandinavians feel about it, but I am including "woman" in that definition. Of course, there's not much divinity in my ancestry, but I do hail from one Scandinavian pioneer whose story reminds me that I have courage and strength in my bloodline.
In running, Ragnar is a relay race. There are Ragnars all over the country now, but it started in Utah. The course is 199 miles through the east side of the Wasatch mountains, so it's called the Wasatch Back (the west side of the Wasatch is called the Wasatch front). Everyone who runs Ragnar is on a team, either a regular (12 people) or an ultra (6 people). Each person on a regular team runs 3 legs of varying distances. The rest of the team drives to the next exchange while one runner is running his or her leg. (The ultra teams, who are obviously insane or just better runners than I am, run 6 legs instead of 3.)
Ragnar courses are scenic—and tough. While there are various distances in each leg, they all include some bit of uphill or downhill. My leg is #11, and it includes 4 miles of "steep uphill," 5 fairly flat miles run next to a reservoir which I will probably conquer in the dark, and the 7 miles of "steep downhill." Last weekend, I was talking to my sister-in-law, who is driving her friends' Ragnar team's van (she's not running, in other words, just driving). She was baffled that people would pay money to go through such an experience. My husband, who really does love and support me in my running, nevertheless agrees with her. Why pay money to simply run on a road, when there is a road just outside your door you can run on for free?
In fact, they're pretty much on the same page as the woman in this video:
(tee hee)
I've written about this very topic before. I like racing because it gives a purpose to my exercise. And so I have a challenge I'm always working on. But it isn't only that; it's also about the landscape. In races, you run in places you might not otherwise, because of traffic or land restrictions or fear. (I would love to do more trail running but, as I don't have a running partner, I don't do it very often since that insistent voice insists on wondering "what if you were attacked?") You get to run down the middle of a road, instead of on the berm, without worrying about cars. You get bussed to a scenic spot to start and then you run through desert, or mountains, or along a lake or beside the ocean.
Landscape matters to me.
I'm writing this the day before I leave to meet up with Becky and head to our Ragnar exchange station. And despite my love of racing, I have to say: I am nervous about this race. It comes from not knowing exactly what to expect (I like to know what to expect) and from worrying about my abilities. Have I trained enough? Will my ITB flair up? Will all the sitting-in-the-van time between my turns to run make my back flair up? What if it rains and my shoes get wet on the first leg? What if I'm forgetting something?
But I'm trusting in Becky, who's run this before and assures me I can do it, too. And my friend at work who is also, coincidentally, running leg #11. (With 13,000 runners it's highly unlikely that I'll see him, but I might!) And my old neighbor, who is on an Ultra team.
I can do this, right?
So if you're reading this sometime on Friday or Saturday, pause for a second and send me some strong-running vibes. Proffer up an offering to the running gods. And know that I'll be keeping the idea of Ragnar (wo)man in my head to make myself strong, too.
Go - Amy - I am totally sending those good running vibes. Can't wait to hear how it goes/went!!!
Posted by: cris | Friday, June 17, 2011 at 11:27 AM
That video is hilarious!
Did it really cost you $800?
How did I miss that you are doing Ragnar? (I've missed a lot lately--sorry). Rob Hayes has done it--not sure if he is this year or not. I am amazed that you are doing it, possibly as I type.
I'm excited to hear about your experience!!
Posted by: wendy | Friday, June 17, 2011 at 11:00 PM
I was thinking about you today wondering if you were in the midst of running. I just offered up mint chocolate cookies to the running gods.... hope they like em! Go Go Go Go!
Posted by: Jamie | Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 12:23 AM
It's Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Eastern time and I'm sending as many good running vibes as I can. Go Amy, you can do this!
And yes, the video was hilarious.
Posted by: Kim D | Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 06:31 AM
Good running vibes to you on Saturday morning - 9 am TX time, so it's 8 am in UT.
Posted by: JanSC | Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 08:03 AM
Girlfriend, you are a stud muffin. Can't wait to hear about the race!
Posted by: Melissa K | Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 08:33 PM
You rocked Ragnar!! It was priceless to have you on the team. You kicked that last hill's trash - all 7.3 miles of it. Team Sparkle Chafing Tail was the best. Hope you loved it and are ready to sign up for next year, cause you know you want to!! I love love love you.
Thanks for giving me awesome music for my last leg. I kept shaking my head when songs with come up - just because we are so similar, and some were songs I already had so they made things familiar, and some were just Amy songs that made me remember all the reasons I love having you for a sister.
Posted by: Becky K | Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 11:09 AM
HOW FUN! I can't wait to hear about it!
Posted by: Apryl | Monday, June 20, 2011 at 08:07 PM
Just so you know - my boys keep begging me to come back here and watch the relay racing video. We showed it to Dad and Bryce and anyone else who was visiting and could use a good laugh. Very entertaining!
Posted by: Wendy | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 10:11 PM