Race Write-Up: Ragnar Relay Florida Keys

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” - Dickens

That essentially sums up the Ragnar Relay Florida Keys. I am going to change my race write-up style on this one. I usually discuss preparation, during the race, after the race, and give my thoughts. This race was just pure insanity.

Our team van

Of the three Ragnar Relays I have completed, this one has the easiest course, at least by what most runners judge as easy. Completely flat. Pretty easy to navigate. Gorgeous scenery during most of it. So why did I have a disastrous, epic failure?

Well, one aspect is this: I do not like straight courses. If I can see more than a quarter mile in front of me, I panic. I end up repeating over and over in my head how far I can see, how much distance that might be, and when I will be able to get a walk break. It cripples my mental strategies and I rarely train for this (something I realize I am going to need to do if I want to continue racing).

Finishing up my first leg (around 6 miles).

Another aspect: virtually no wind on any of my legs and blistering, brutal heat for nearly 80% of the race (by my very serious calculations :-}). Everyone on the team seemed unprepared for the weather.

My final grievance comes in the form of the race coordination for my legs. A one mile to go sign is usually a curse for me…except at Ragnar. It is a godsend. I do not wear a GPS for a reason at big races like this and the mile to go sign is my only sure way to realize how far I have gone and how to pace myself in preparation for my next leg in addition to finishing that leg appropriately. My first leg: no mile to go sign. I had already had to walk a little and I was getting frustrated so I saw a large yellow building where people seemed to disappear ahead and I figured it was a turn off. I made a mental note to walk when I got to it and low and behold it was the race finish.

But it was not actually the leg finish. Oh no, it was not. I ran in with volunteers telling me to run into the giant Miami-Homestead Speedway in front of me. Mental stability over. Without expanding too much, this just killed my spirit and I ended up doing almost a mile more than was originally listed as the leg length.

My second leg started off gloriously. I ran four miles without walking despite my headlamp being overly stretched out and hitting my glasses for the first two miles. But that’s where the fun ended. Another race coordination foul up and my mile to go sign was at a mile and a half. I had picked up pace to make up for some brief walking I did around 5 or 6 miles which proved to be disastrous. Never trust a race sign is the takeaway from that.

Second leg trying to get my hat.

Near the finish line. I. am. whooped.

My final leg was just abysmal. I was waiting the entire leg for van support. I desperately needed cold water and a towel to wipe off my sweat. Tens of onlookers, many of whom thought they were being helpful by talking to me, affected my mental state so much that at one point I almost broke down. I was also pretty furious at my husband for not bringing me a shirt after the race (I spent most of the race in just a sports bra and shorty UnderArmours) and not make the van at least stop somewhere along the course where vans were allowed to stop. I really and for once in my life needed the mental support of my team. However, I want to thank my team for being one of the most supportive teams of Ragnar. Even though all my teams have been supportive, it has been in much better conditions and the Florida team proved to be wonderful (I love you guys!).

Me and the hubster. Both swollen and tired. That is love, dear readers.

Having said all of that, and despite the fact we finished more than 6 hours after we planned to not leaving any time to enjoy Key West, I would do another Ragnar. I probably will not do another race in Florida, but the Ragnar experience for better or worse is one to behold and treasure, and I will keep doing those as long as finances and the ability to find a team are aligned.

Hence it was the best of times and the worst of times simultaneously.

Photo bomb!!!

RAWWWWRRRR!!!!