Team Results!

Dear Team,
I was reading the results for the race and saw that Team Nordic Track Elite Womens team finished in 23hrs! What! 10 hrs before us! I thought we did pretty well. Then I got to thinking, Was this the team that ran on a treadmill? It better be, that just goes to show it is much easier and faster to run on a treadmill. If they did the regular race that fast then wow!

I am packing and ready to go!

So Van 2 I just wanted to say that I can bring bottled water, do we need a cooler? Food to share, baby wipes, garbage bags, I also have a headlamp and tail lamp and a running vest. I am happy to bring what ever makes this trip more enjoyable. Erin thanks for the ride I will see you at Chevron at 545am! I email you my cell phone.

Get your groove on...

Updating my running playlist for this weekend. I really wanted to whittle the 4 1/2 hours of music down to something more manageable, but just can't. Who knows what I'll want to listen to. I do know one thing...I'M SO EXCITED!!! See you all in 35 hours (give or take)!

No Worries... Be Happy

After a few quick text messages - spot has been filled :) Carry on!

Rock. Hard Place. Me.

My Fellow Ragnarians,

It seems that every time you get a group of moms together there is always the last minute one to bail on the group--a case of strep with the kids, flat tires, emergency appendectomy. Luckily everyone is healthy and the tires are filled with air.
I will throw this out there though, if you know of anyone is would like to join van 2, they can have my spot. It looks like I might have to be the one that, sadly and with regret, jumps ship.
We found out some great news last night that requires me to be in OKC on Sunday. And flights from SLC to OKC are scare and super expensive. I wouldn’t even be able to run all 3 legs. Even if I switched to van 1, it would be near impossible.
Every time I go to buy a ticket, I get a funny feeling in my tummy. I just can’t shell out another $300… So, if you know of anyone who wants my spot, please let me know asap. You know—that fun neighbor, the dental assistant, your sister in law, a friend’s cousin’s dog walker.
I hate to not run. Really I do. I have already started preparing my bag to come. Treats have been purchased for you all and another special little something from me. Argh. This is tough. But I just wanted to see if anyone knew of a fellow runner who’d like a Ragnar experience….
With love,

Lindsay

0% makes me so happy!

I am a habitual weather checker for races for the 10 days before a race! And guess what the is a 0% chance of rain- but after last year don't count on it being accurate, just saying.

So here is the low down on some details:

1. We are going to have dessert at Katie G.'s house on Thursday night at 9. We would for everyone to be there but if you can't that is totally fine too. I will email everyone her address instead of posting it for the whole world to see. It will be for about an hour seeing as how we all need to sleep to get up bright and early the next morning.

2. Our start time is 8:30 am in Logan and Ragnar needs teams there an hour before their start to do all the new safety stuff. Mindy has graciously offered her driveway at least for us to get things together and she is only about a mile from the start line so we should be getting to Mindy's probably about 7. So I will be pulling out of Draper at 5 picking up Lindsay and heading up to get Jenny (and Melissa?) so Jenny I am not exactly sure how long it takes to get from Draper to the gas station - do you know?

Erin
-- Post From My iPhone

A week Away! anyone excited like me!

I am so excited! But need to final up my plans, anyone up for a concrete plan! Are we meeting at the start line? Can anyone offer a ride from Kaysville area? Or maybe I can take the frontrunner up to Ogden? I don't mind ditching my car somewhere, anywhere besides Logan if I can help it. Does van one have a rental van? Who is driving it up to Logan? I am so excited but would love some feedback. I am also good to bring as much as is needed for this fun weekend, food, supplies, whatever is needed! I heard someone on the team lives by the start line, should we meet there to get situated? Decorate the vans? If you can't tell I am excited to run! Please respond if anyone has any suggestions or ideas of what is going to happen.
Jenny O.

Hi, I am Kelly Hoole. I am in van 1, running leg 6. I am excited to be running Ragnar (at least that's what I keep telling myself), I am more excited to spend time with the fun girls in the group. I ran my first race nine years ago when we were living in DC. It was the Race for the Cure 5K. Over 75,000 people ran that day, so that when we finished there were still people that hadn't crossed over the starting line. I am happily married to Greg, we will be celebrating our 15th anniversary this October. I am a mother to four; Nate 12, Caroline 10, Anna Sophia 7 and Lucy 5. I am a mental health excercisor which means that I excercise so that I take out my aggression on my running shoes and not my children. I am excited to meet everyone. My goals for this race are to have fun, hopefully get some sleep and above all FINISH!

Other new info...

Hey guys! I went to one of the Ragnar meetings on Thursday night. They talked about lots of things (which I'm sure many of you previous participants knew about). But they went over several new things I thought I would post on here in case anybody was curious. I'm sure they've covered all this in the Team Captain meetings etc.

*Each van needs to check in with all the equipment for their van, and attend a safety meeting about an hour before their start time.

*We have to get six 'support' flags for our team. Someone in Van #1 gives them a credit card at the start (they won't charge anything unless they're not returned) where they will get three of the flags. Van #2 will get the other three flags at the first major exchange. We return all six at the end of the race.

*Five of the legs will be 'non-support' legs...but Ragnar staff will be providing water on those legs.

*The start is at a new spot...the Icon Fitness Center in Logan.

That was most of the new stuff. I'm sure Erin already knows all this, I just thought I'd post in case anyone was curious.

I talked to some ladies at the meeting that have a 5:00 am start time! I'm glad ours is a little later. :)

Can't wait to meet all of you!

Melissa

Pick your pocket, pick your nose.

Hi everyone. I'm Megan A. and I just learned how to post on a blog. Never had any experience with blogging and now I know a little. I am thrilled to run this race. I loved running. I gave it up to protect my knees. And so I am coming out of retirement to run the race of a lifetime.

I am married (happily on most days - no just kidding). I have 3 kids, Josh 7, Abe 5, and Ellie 9 months. They keep me very busy, but I love it (again, on most days ;)! Somethings we love to do as a family are go on trips, snow ski, camp and have sleepovers in our very own basement. Things I love to do are workout, play with my kids, dates with my husband, and cooking.

This race is going to be awesome. It'll be great to push myself and to get the old competitive juices flowing again. But most of all I'm excited to be hanging with the gals I'll be racing with. Race on!! (by the way, my high school cross country coach used to tell us to loosen up our arms by yelling , "pick your pocket, pick your nose."----- Plan on me yelling that to the girls from the van)

NEW FLASH!! THIS JUST IN...

Headphones are back!!!!! Ragnar got enough response from us 12000 runners that they are now allowed again. Resume your running to your tunes just a few guidelines:

New Rules
For safety reasons, we still strongly discourage the use of headphones. The safest and best answer is not to use them. If you still choose to use them, you do so at your own risk and must meet the following requirements:

1. Hear traffic
2. Be aware of the sounds around you
3. Be able to hear instructions from course officials when speaking at a reasonable tone (not yelling)

Strikes will be given out if you are unable to hear instructions. Three strikes on any rule may result in disqualification for your entire team.

Tips on safely listening to music
Should you choose to use a personal (or impersonal) listening device, below are some tips:
1. Put the headphones behind your ears rather than in your ears
2. Use one ear bud rather than two
3. Use a device likehttp://www.safesoundsports.com/product.html
4. Keep the volume low
5. Use a device like an iPhone or Blackberry on speaker mode

Epic long post full of VERY IMPORTANT INFO!!!!!!

Hello ladies! We are about 2 weeks out and is any one else freaking out???? We have some things to get done so I am going to resort to bullet points so I remember everything - Here we go....

~ We have a start time! 8:30 AM which is fantastic... last year they had our teams start at 12:30 and we were the second to last team to come staggering in to the finish line so 4 hours earlier and we should be finishing up with the pack :) that being said I have updated the spread sheet with estimated start times for every one's legs in case you are a little OCD like myself and find beauty in organization

~ Just when you think you know what you are doing Ragnar goes and changes a few things... (haha ok a lot of things in one fail swoop)

1. Mandatory Safety Meeting
A 10 - 15 minute safety meeting for all team members of the active van will be held prior to the start of the race (for Van #1) and at Exchange #6 (for Van #2). Safety materials will be passed out to reinforce the safety rules of the race. A Safety Certificate will be given out at the close of the meeting; this certificate will need to be submitted prior to the start of the race (for Van #1) and at the start of Exchange #6 (for Van #2). We recommend you arrive an hour before your start time in order to complete the safety meeting and start on time. (THAT means we need to be there at 7:30 AM!!! ready to go)

2. Required Items for Check-In
Van 1 must check in at the start line at least one hour before their official start time. Van 2 must check in at exchange 6 at least one hour prior to starting their legs. When checking in, each van must present the following items:

(So this is all new Please let me know where you can help fill in)
-Two (2) flashlights or headlamps (this means a team needs a total of 4) - We are good here I have 4 {Lindsay this includes the one you have} But it would probably be nice to have a couple extra flashlights
-Six (6) reflective vests (team needs a total of 12) - I now have 6 {Lindsay don't forget the one you have :)} Katie has one and Melissa has one so we are still in need of 4 more - anyone anyone?
-Two (2) LED tail-lights (team needs a total of 4) Jeni has one and I have two so we are going to need at least one more

Designated Safety Officer
All teams must designate a safety officer to be on duty at all times during the race. This person must be seated in the front passenger seat and have a copy of the rules with them. This person is to stay awake and alert and to remind team members of the safety rules. The responsibility of being the safety officer may be rotated among team members.

Didn't we all want to do safety patrol in 6th grade :) I guess now is out chance!

Support Leg Rules
The supporting of runners (i.e. handing them water or spraying them down) is allowed only on those legs marked "Support". After dusk, any team member outside of the van must wear a reflective vest. Team members do not have to wear reflective vests at major exchanges, unless they are within 20 yards of the exchange. All team members must exit the van from the passenger side (with the exception of the driver, of course).

If a team member is crossing the road to support their team member, they must do so carrying an orange flag. Flags will be provided at the start; a credit card deposit of $10 is required for each, but that amount will not be charged to the cards if they are returned at the finish. No roads with more than 2 lanes (one in each direction) may be crossed except at crosswalks.

Non-Support Leg Rules
If a leg is designated non-support, teams are not allowed to provide food or water to their runner during the leg. You may pull over in a legal spot to cheer your runner, but you should not impede traffic in any way. If you do see a runner in distress, you are allowed to stop and help. You must obey all pedestrian and traffic laws, however.

Runners are encouraged to carry their own water on these non-support legs. However, for all legs over 4 miles in length, there will be one water station along the course. Legs over 8 miles in length will have two water stops provided.

Designated Sleeping Areas
All runners must sleep inside of their vehicles or in designated sleeping areas; there will be no sleeping on the ground in the exchange areas allowed.

Alcohol Not Allowed on Course
The consumption of alcohol is not allowed anywhere along the course. Ragnar will still have a finish line party with alcohol available.

So I guess the idea of running Ragnar hill falling down drunk is out - dang it!

Headphones
In accordance with USA Track and Field rules, the use of personal music devices with headphones while running is prohibited. In an overnight relay, roads are not closed during the race and participants are running through the night. This format requires that all runners be alert and aware of their surroundings at all times. Wearing headphones causes distractions and the inability to hear what is going on around the runner.

Ok so this one is terrifying to me but Jeni and I chatted a little about this and here is what we came up with....

I am going to have my ipod with me and I will tuck my headphones in my bra straps and crank the volume so I can still hear it and hear what is going on in the world around me. I might at times have 1 ear in :)

Rules Enforcement
There will be course marshals on the course who will be available via text message. They will text message any team seen violating any of the safety rules; if three violations are reported on the course, the team will be required to check in at the next major exchange. If the violations are found to be valid, that team will be asked to leave the course.

so they have said this one for the last couple times I have run and I have yet to see one of these 'marshals' so I am not going to say they don't exist but we will see

~ Well there are all the fun new rules. so on to the rest of things. We need an emergency contact info page so I need the following info from everyone:

Name, cell phone number, insurance carrier, emergency contact and their phone number and any allergies or health concerns/ medication

~ In lieu of getting shirts made (extra cost lots of time and really do any of us wear them after the event?) if everyone could have a black top to wear for the finish line so we do all look like a team that would be great!

~ Enough info to make your brain hurt? Watch for info on a fun little get together here next week :)

Salt Lake Running Company's checklists

Salt Lake Running Company has posted two Wasatch Back checklists on its website. I'm not sure which one will be more important. See you all soon!

www.saltlakerunningco.com

Count me in!

Hi! It's Jeni! I'm finally back up and running, as my laptop decided to try to commit suicide. Thankfully, it did not succeed and I finally have it back so I can post on the blog. You can only do so many things on an iPhone. Blogging is not one of them.

So I am so excited to be part of this team. I put a team together earlier this year and went to register only to find out the race had sold out the week before. I was so sad, as I really want to do this. So...when Katie told me Erin needed an entire van to fill, I jumped at it. I'm so thrilled to be spending a couple of days with some of my favorite people. However, that also creates one of my biggest fears of the race--that we will still like each other when we are all through the blood, sweat and tears of it. As my sweet husband can attest to, I get just a tad onery when I'm over tired, so I hope my dear friends will disregard and forgive any comments I make at three in the morning. I just can't be responsible for my actions at that time. Tee hee. In all honesty, I'm not all that concerned about it. My other fear is running in the dark. I've never done that and frankly wild animals and bad guys scare me. I'll have to do a couple of practice runs in my familiar neighborhood.

I look forward to meeting all of you Van 2 girls. I can't say enough good about my bunkmates in Van 1. Each one is an amazing wonder woman whom I so admire, and not just for her athletic ability. Every time I think about this race, I grin and get almost giddy, I'm so excited. I'm not a strong or fast runner--maybe even the weak link. I have no desire to do a full marathon, although I've done two half marathons. If I feel good and can function after a run, then I'm successful, despite my time. I want to do Ragnar for the experience as a whole, just to say I did it.

Since you probably want some pictures of me and my cute family (I'm not biased or anything), here we go...

Karen and I after running a marathon relay last September. This is what got me wanting to do Ragnar, it was such a fun morning with just the girls.

Since everyone else has a running picture, here's one of me after a 10k in Midway. This actually was my worst race ever. It was so hilly, I could barely walk the rest of the day!

My "bosses" in our favorite Kauai.

They keep me wanting to do good throughout my day, keep me on my toes, but don't neccessarily keep me sane.

1 month check in!

HELLO LADIES!!!!

Can you believe it? We only have 1 month! Who's ready? Who's getting ready? Who knows everyone on our team? (no one can answer yes to that one - it's a trick)

Want to get to know who's here? -Lindsay E. - Katie G. - Jenny O. - Megan T. - Melissa D - Erin B - Who's next? We are half way through the introductions so don't be shy.. post something

ok Next up... STUFF!!!!

Has car 1 found a car? I have a van rented for our second car but I seriously wake up in the middle of the night freaking out about being at the start line and not having all our stuff ready so please help me sleep :)

As far as team gear here is what we need and what I have:

1. Two (2) flashlights or headlamps - I think I have 2 I will double check

2. Six (6) reflective vests - I have 2 anyone else able to get one or two of these?

3. Two (2) LED lights- ”tail light/butt light” - I don't have any

So as far as food and odds and ends we found last year it was great to have a little sign up so we didn't all need to bring everything (as space is questionable) and we didn't overlap so I will put up pages over to the right for each car check back often and email me what you are interested in

Coming soon - how and how not to pack... with pictures and all (I know you are all secretly excited)

Hi I'm the missing Link

first ever race experience, and the only one in which I look like any kind of an athlete...Great Potato Half Marathon, spring 2004.

Ragnar duds for the TX race. Thanks to Erin and Lindsay we had stellar costumes and a party-all-the-time attitude!

This is my full time job, my purpose and my passion; Raising a bunch of crazy kids to be well-rounded and compassionate adults...not an easy job as you can see!

The best support team out there, my husband and best bud, John. He can work up a killer training schedule only to see it ignored. He funds my race entrance fees and my gear purchases, and he takes time off work so I can hang with the ladies and "run like a mother". Every race is dedicated to John, and to the effort I make to stay in a size 6 or smaller until he is too old to care what I look like; which will be NEVER. :)

Ha Ha. Erin from Texas was a running buddy and Best Buddy when we lived in Texas. Then we moved (again, we've moved every so often; like 10 times, in the last 16 years). Erin needed runners for this year's race. My neighborhood in Utah is full of great runners. Thus I am the link between Van 1 (the Utah neighborhood chickies) and Van 2 (the TX neighborhood running chickies and their amigas).

I am probably the oldest person on our team! Crazy!

I am mom to 6 and wife to 1. I love travel, service, exercise, creativity and fun. Though I don't like moving so much, I've been very blessed with incredible friends and unforgettable experiences.

This will be my 3rd Wasatch Back and my 4th Ragnar. The Ragnar TX race was by far the most fun, with Erin and Lindsay as team mates we had a roaring good time. Last year's race was certainly the most memorable as I and several of our team (all family members) struggled through the race while fighting the stomach flu. My oldest child was one of the strongest runners on our team, which did my heart some good (parenting a teenager is not an easy task, trust me).

Thanks to Erin and all her great planning, I know this will be a race we will all remember fondly. Thanks to each of you and your dedicated training I'm sure we will exceed our own expectations. So great to be one of you, thanks for the chance to run, sleep, repeat!

Inspiration...

Scenes from past Ragnars... Does this get you excited? I hope so!

The starting line for Wasatch Back

A funny sign from Texas (and, yes, we did have to watch out for livestock)

Katie, in her glamour, powering up hill in her stylish tutu

Erin, post race pizza bliss

The reason I ran...my 30th birthday and some *divine* post-run cake

Texas team:  Running from the Kids! (Note:  we wonder women finished with just 10 incredible runners, with Erin, Katie, and I each picking up extra legs)

Jenny motoring through the rain; she was fast as lightning (and there was some, too!)

Van decorations for Wasatch Back

My favorite leg at sunrise

Jenny and I (and van 2) celebrating the end of Wasatch Back 09

Are you ready to rumble?

The 12th Woman

The 2 main reasons I run

La Familia Eberhardt

My Fellow Ragnarians,


Hello from Oklahoma. Seems as if I’ve been (lovingly) roped into Ragnar again by our intrepid captain Erin. I get one ‘runcation’ a year and I tried to get into St. George. No dice. So as soon as my name was not posted, text messages began to appear… and were happily accepted. See, running with Erin (and Katie and Jenny and y’all) is so much fun! This year will be all about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The good: running with fellow mothers who love their children so much that we leave them in capable hands to run like banshees…all in the name of sanity, peace, relaxation, and above all, motherhood.

The bad: I have had to sell my kidney to fly to be with you. But I did it willingly and it’s so worth it.

The ugly: I had a hysterectomy (long story that I am sure my van will be regaled with…) just a few short weeks ago and have only been ok’d for speedwalking… and my legs read something like ‘this will suck,’ ‘you’ve trained in FLAT Oklahoma for running 3 miles uphill, right?’ and ‘this is just plain sadistic.’ See how excited I am!?! I have been assured by Erin that if by chance my bladder falls out while running up hills, she’ll make sure I get medical attention and a BIG Diet Coke—as long as I finish ALL my legs. What a gal, huh?

Really though, it doesn’t matter how fast I don’t run, or how much the plane ticket is…what matters is the opportunity and ability to do it…and with such a great team! I was in the same van as Jenny O. last year. She is simply amazing. What a can-do, will-do, take no prisoners attitude she has. And, I am a member of the ‘meet at Michele’s at 6:00am on Saturday’ club with Katie and Erin. We all lived in Texas together and stole away some mommy running time each Saturday at the wee hours of the day. I miss that. A lot. And so I get to crunch some running time with my ol’ friends again. And, I get to meet all of y’all. Whoo hoo!

While we are together sweating, laughing, hurting, mountain climbing, and sleeping in funny positions, I will be sorely missed by my husband Dave and my 2 bambinos: Lincoln and Kate. I am sure there will be pizza consumed, movies watched, time at the pool, and other fun distractions while I am away. They are so good to me for allowing me to do this.

I look forward to meeting each of you and getting to know you better. (So, come on folks, start posting your info!)

Happy training,

Lindsay

Jenny O. is happy to be back on the Team!

I ran the ragnar last year on this team, or through marathon mommies and Erin! It was such a blast! I am back! I am excited to see old friends and meet new ones. A little about myself. I am 32 and I love adventure! I just started running consistantly last year and since then have done 2 half marathons and the Ragnar. I hope to complete my first marathon this fall the Top Of Utah in Logan. I thought for sure the Ragnar would be a great training for me. I am the mother of 3 adorable kids

I am excited as we train together and run together and stay up all night together in a van! Woo Hoo!

Question about Running Legs...

So, I have a question for all of you ladies that have run this before. What criteria is used to rate the different legs easy, moderate, hard, etc.? Is it the number and steepness of hills? Is it because they're on dirt or paved road? Is it when you end up running them? (middle of the night, day etc). A combination of several things?

I'm just curious as I look at choosing my assignment. I feel pretty good about the training I've been doing, but I'll be honest and say it kind of freaks me out to choose a leg that has VERY HARD stamped on it. :)

Thanks!

Introductions...my name is Melissa

Hey ladies! I am so excited to be joining the team!!! I have wanted to run the Wasatch Back for a couple of years now...so I can't wait!

This is my family...

*My husband Charles is a computer programmer and I am a stay-at-home mom (and love it!)
*I have a 3-year-old little boy and an almost 1-year-old little girl...they definitely keep me on my toes.
*Our family lives in Utah (where I have lived all my life!)
*I discovered running in college. I had a bad day one time, needed to blow off some steam, and ran from my apartment in Provo up to the temple and back. It was about 4 miles. I figured after that I was a born runner and was happy to discover it. :)
*Although I have ran several races and continued running on my own, this will be my first big race I'm actually training for since having kids. I have a competitive nature, and have actually loved my training so far and am so glad I have this (and all of you!) to push me.
*The other love of my life is music...I enjoy singing and playing the piano.

Can't wait to meet all you FABulous ladies!!!

Hi - I am Megan

Here is my little family and some info on me :)

• I live in Utah and love it!

• I love to sleep in - which ultimately means that to get in some running time during the day I stick my kids at the playground and run circles around the park!

• Lately I have been trying to convince myself that I can have the best of both worlds - Dr. Pepper and running :/

• I love all things crafty - scrapbooking, crochet, home decorating, etc.

• I had 4 babies in 5 years - everyday there is something to laugh about!

• Why do I run? . . . . . .for a later post :)

Welcome to the team!

Hey Ladies! I am so excited to embark on this crazy fun journey with you! We still have some room on our team- I am still waiting to hear from a few but if you know someone interested send them my way! Let's start with some introductions so we can all get to know each other a little bit....

This is me and my husband, Bart.

And my son, Hunter. He is 10, likes to run and is a gadget junkie (kind of like his mom)

And this is Jorden. She is 8, into gymnastics and was the reason I started running (to find a little sanity - she stole it all the minute she entered this world)

We are going to go with bullet points for the rest of this because it is too late to think through how to connect it all together coherently.

* I love running even though I am not super fast

* I am The Ribbon Spot - it does consume a lot of my life

* I LOVE the color red

* I drink Diet Pepsi a little too often

* I am close to being a chocoholic

Ok - Your Turn!