The day before I was under the impression that the trail run I was about start would be a fun way to spend two days with some running friends. Little did I know that the Mountain before me was about to challenge me both physically and mentally. I truly believe that all Ragnar runs are meant to challenge you as a runner but the Ragnar Trail runs are there to put fear into your heart and dread EVERY minute of those loops.
To start our adventure we go to safety briefing. When that includes what to do if you encounter a bear you should probably pay attention. You know.... Safety first!
The anticipation of my first run was overwhelming but stamped down very quickly by my fear of falling down a mountain and maybe becoming bear scat. Thanks safety briefing.
I'll spare you all the details, but my first run, the yellow loop, was a mental mind F¥€£! I mean 1.5 miles UP a mountain to start a run in full sunshine and heat, It was at that moment that I began to dread my last lap, which wouldn't take place until almost 16 hours later.
Ragnar events are never all about the runs (that is meant in both ways!) and this event was just as good, if not better than road runs. The Village was full of teams getting ready to start on an amazing adventure so the entire place was electric with anticipation. The sponsors of the event, Salomon, had a tent set up and you were able to try out a pair of shoes and GPS on the mountain if you wanted. That's a pretty fantastic idea as far as sponsorship are concerned. I wasn't able to take a pair out but that was my fault and if I do another one I will DEF try them out!
There were smoothies, burritos, bondi bands, yoga classes, muscle rollers, and of course a beer tent! Once it was dark there was a huge bonfire and S'mores. Really, what more could you ask for? The Village is also where everyone gathered before and after their loops were finished so there were always a lot of people around to chat with and make new friends!
As the sun was going down it started to get a little quieter and my anxiety about my next run started to increase. As 11PM came around I began my second run, the green loop. It was the shortest of the three and in the end was my favorite and my fastest! It may have had to do with the whole Blair Witch thing.... But does that really matter.... No really does it?!
Even though it was almost midnight when I finished, my blood was pumping and I was ready to stay up all night. Well at least until I was changed and my mind was set on the red loop, my last run, the longest, the most inclines.... Shall I go on?
I saw people returning from the red loop exhausted and defeated. How could it be worse than the yellow loop though?
During your run you had to wear a slap bracelet with the color loop you were running. This was for safety reasons also probably to remind you what signs you should be following and to see if the runners passing you in the final mile had just endured the same pain you had just gone through or if their pain was from a different loop.
9:30AM was fast approaching and that meant my final run, the red loop was on the horizon. I was mentally prepared to call 9-1-1 around mile 2 or possibly just roll down the mountain to make my own path out! Of course I stopped to take pictures and at mile 3.8 stopped for some water and to take a pic with, probably, my favorite volunteer (hey she told me I only had 3 miles left to run!!) In the end I survived the red loop with a lot of struggle, a little pain, and of course some laughing at myself. I made it down the mountain and finished the red loop with a smile on my face and only a little wobble in my step.
I can not begin to express the difficulty of the runs we did on Friday and Saturday and if you never get to experience something that awesome ....... well you have no one to blame but yourself. It helps to be out of your comfort zone every now and then and nothing will do this better than a Ragnar event.
I want to thank my team members for their full support even when I was doubting myself. You are the true meaning and spirit of these events and I can not wait for the next one!
Fair winds!