Ragnar Relay Napa Valley Race Recap

Last weekend I had the privilege of running in another Ragnar Relay Race Series.  I ran the Napa Valley relay race with 11 of my girlfriends.  I truly believe I am hooked on running Ragnar Races since running my first race Ragnar Relay this past April in So Cal.

We kick started the fun weekend on Thursday night.  We piled into our friend’s WHITE mini van (white vans are all the rage for a Ragnar Relay).

Our team name was, Run You Over For Wine.  Our two vans were decorated similar (the only difference was the faces of the 7-12 runners in Van 2).

We were mother runners who left our crazy crew of husband’s and children to run 200 miles from San Francisco to Napa Valley… all for the love of good fun and wine!

It was a super fun girls weekend.  Running. Laughing. Memory making!  Good times.

Our girls weekend started Thursday night in San Francisco.  We stayed at one of our teammates parents house.  It was a goofy slumber party.  Tired Mamas.  Almost lost without their kiddos and husband.  Yet enjoying each other’s company and doing our best to get as much rest as we could before our epic race began early (6:30) the next morning.

I was Runner #1.  Which means I kick started our team off at the starting line.  I had the least amount of miles (only around 11 miles) for the team, but I was okay with it.  It is the adventure and memory making that makes this race so much fun!  Plus the added challenge of tackling the always wicked hills that each runner encounters on this race!

For some reason, being runner #1 was the most nerve wrecking for me.  I had the same nerves I do at the beginning of the start of any road race.

I had the same self-doubts I do when running any race.  How should I run this race/leg?  Fast? Comfortable? Slow?  What is the route like (I didn’t get a chance to really study my leg)?  Will it be crazy hilly or boring and flat?  Trail or road!?  So many questions were running through my head.

Would my head lamp stay lit long enough for me to run!?  You know, safety concerns too!

We were running behind schedule (it seemed to be the theme of our weekend racing adventure).  We were scrambling to get checked in, our race gear, visit the lovely port-o-potties, and get psyched to run this first leg.

Once I got to the starting line, there wasn’t much time to second guess myself… or try to tell myself that I was too tried.  It was go time.

The horn went off and our 6:30AM starting group of runners headed up our hill to run to relay exchange #2.  The first half our run was on a dirt trail at Golden Gate Park.  The trail was uneven, muddy and rocky.  That made things interesting… but kept my brain alert and fresh.

The second half of my run was along the ocean on pavement.  It was a foggy morning… but the views were amazing.  Too bad my phone had battery issues or I would have taken a few photos of my epic WINDY HILL and the ocean views.  But take my word for it, it was pretty!  Or better yet, run the race next year!

My first leg was complete.  It was by far the most physically challenging of my three legs.  The hill was crazy intense.  Windy.  Hilly.  Hard.  But I was proud of my time for the distance and route.

I passed my slap-bracelet-baton to Christina (runner #2) and the race continued till the next time I ran… 5:30PM.

After our van was finished running, we headed out to find some lunch.  I filled my tummy with a yummy salad and loaded baked potato.  It was just the fuel my tummy needed… as well as super yummy!

After we got lunch, we camped out at Exchange #12 where we waited for the next exchange to happen, and my turn to run.  We rested, some took naps, and rolled any aching muscles.  I enjoyed looking at the blue sky and people watched (there are so many fun costumes and PEOPLE at Ragnar Races!)

We got word that Runner #12 was booking it and getting close to the exchange.  We took a quick Van #1 photo and I was ready to put on my tough woman skills to my longest leg (with a few nice rollers).  I was super thankful that speedy Maria (runner #12) got in just in time for me to NOT have to wear my night running gear.  Otherwise I would have had to run EACH of my legs in my gear (which isn’t the most fun to run in).

My second leg was the most fun.  I had the most kills (where you pass someone) on this leg.  I ran the entire route (except when I had to stop at signals).  The rolling hills were challenging but totally doable.  I had fun with it.  Mostly because my van mates were cow belling and cheering me on the entire way!  That is what makes this race so much fun!

I finished my second leg strong, again passing the baton to Christina to run another wicked hilly route.  The girls in our van are still in great spirits, not stinking too terrible, and having fun.

Yet in just a few short hours the weather changed and the skies DUMPED on us.  Leaving the remainder of our team having to face not only the course and hills in the dark, but also running in the pouring rain.

Our night run was filled with the most drama (for lack of a better word).  Running in the rain, sleep deprivation, pushing too hard on a run, as well as mental self-doubt crept in.  Thank goodness for a good 4 hour nap in the van to help refresh our team and get us started for our last leg.

Oh Wait!  That didn’t happen as planned.

When we heard Runner #12 was approaching (1 mile out), we were STILL SLEEPING IN THE VAN!  Nothing like being jolted awake from sleeping in a reclined captains chair to run in the cold, dark, rain for 2 miles.

Oh Wait!  That isn’t all!!

We couldn’t find two of our teammates!  They camped out outside… but because of the crazy downpour of rain in the night, they moved.  We couldn’t find them!  They weren’t responding to our texts.  We weren’t sure what we were going to do!  But the race must go on!

My friend Tammy told me to run my super-short leg (only 2 miles) fast… but not too fast because we didn’t know when we would find Rebecca and Christina.  Plus, waking up 5 minutes before you are running isn’t necessarily grounds to have a speedy run.

My last leg was physically the easiest of the three.  It was super short and flat.  I ran it at a comfortable pace.  Not too fast.  Not too slow.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to need to continue running more miles after I got to the exchange, or hang out and wait for my teammates.

I had to hang out at the exchange point for about 5-10 minutes for my van to arrive.  The found our runners.  Thank goodness.  I was done running for the day.  Our race continued on its way to Napa Valley.

Because we were Van #1, our team finished running around breakfast time.  We enjoyed a yummy brunch-lunch.  Afterwards we headed to the finish line where we chatted with friendly runners, did handstands, drank beer and just enjoyed being DONE with another fun Ragnar Relay.

It was a great weekend.  I am officially hooked and LOVE RAGNAR RELAY RACE SERIES!  I am looking forward to running many more races with my girlfriends.  I am hoping to run Ragnar Tahoe Trail as well as a few fun Ragnar Relay Races near me in 2014!

Have you ever run a relay race?  Have you run a Ragnar Relay?

I would LOVE to hear about YOUR experience!