Ragnar Relay SoCal Recap: Leg 2 Night Run

Shortly after our van finished our first six legs, we were able to enjoy a little break before starting our second leg… our night run.  During our break we changed into dry, clean clothes.  We shopped a bit at the van exchange.  We even did our best to scarf down a late lunch at Chili’s.  Mainly we did our best to stay hydrated, stay cool, and enjoy the adventure of Ragnar Relay.

To stay safe, Ragnar’s rules are that proper night running gear is to be worn during the hours of 6:30PM-6:30AM.  We were in luck, because our second leg of the race was starting right at that time.  We battled traffic, donned our head gear and began our next leg of the Ragnar Relay SoCal series.

This was the leg I was most nervous about. I had never run at night. Never run in protecting running gear. Never experienced anything quite like it. Running alone. At night. In the dark. Kind of like three fears wrapped into one leg.

My leg was supposed to run 9.4 miles for my second leg.  But shortly before the race weekend began, they revamped the route and lessened my mileage to 8.6.  I was not complaining about running a mile less… at night.  So I prepped to enjoy my 8.6 miles.

I donned my TWO head lights (safety first), night running vest, and tail light.  I even ran with a blinking red light saber light that I carried on the side of traffic.  I wanted to be sure I was seen.

When Stephanie came flying into the exchange point, before passing me the baton she breathed, “Watch your step!”  I heeded her words and I did my best to watch my step.

The first part of this route was interesting.  We ran through residential neighborhoods on uneven, rocky ground.  I tripped a few times but quickly regained my composure.  Instead of looking out and trying to keep up with the other blinking red tail lights… I found myself looking in front of me so I wouldn’t trip.

This was by far my favorite and most adventure filled leg.  I passed random roaming homeless people walking the path… spooked a few of them… and ran on.  The hills were crazy.  However, being that it was dark it was an advantage because I couldn’t see the top of the hill.  I even passed a few GUYS while running up the hills!

The great thing about hills… what goes up must come down.  Oh the downhill was glorious!  I was flying, or so I felt!

The biggest adventure on my night leg was about 0.5 miles from the exchange point.  I knew my run was almost over and was gaining speed.  To my left I heard some rustling in the empty field.  Then out of nowhere a dog came barreling toward me barking and chasing me!!  He was right at my feet growling, barking, and snapping.  I think I totally spooked the dog as I ran past him ‘relieving himself in the field’  I froze mid run.  I raised my hands in the air and shouted.  I have NO idea why I did that… perhaps that is what you are supposed to do to appear bigger and more threatening?  I heard the owner shout from his building, “Duke!”  The dog turned and I began running again.  The dog then chased me again.  I froze and yelled, “Get control of your dog! I am in a race!”

I am honestly not sure what happened after that… I decided to just take off running towards the exchange.  I heard horns honking, yelling and barking.  But I knew that that night was not the night I wanted to experience my first dog attack while running.

When I ran into the exchange point to pass my baton to Janice, I told her the same words as Stephanie shared with me, Watch your step! and then she took off.  I also did my best to tell the race personnel that there was a dog loose 0.5 miles from the exchange point. Craziness I tell ya!

After I finished my run, we darted toward the van to head to the next exchange point.  It was bedtime… and we still had a lot of running to do before we could rest.

I drank more water, ate a protein bar, put on my pro compression socks and cheered on the rest of my teammates at each other their exchanges.

I think everyone on my team enjoyed their night run.  We all encountered adventure.  From a swarm of attacking yet tasty bugs, loose dogs, combat triage due to a bad fall, getting lost on the course and running on a golf course while the sprinklers went off, massive hills, and more!  The night run was full of fun!

With only one more run to go… night had fallen.  The temperatures had cooled… and we had just a few short hours before donning our running gear for our final leg.  Check back in a few days when I share with you my part 3, my last run for the Ragnar SoCal Relay!

Have you ever run at night?  Have you ever been chased by a loose dog while exercising?