The team was awesome and so much fun. Our journey took us from Winona, into WI and up the Mississippi to around River Falls area, then west to Minneapolis. I was in the second vehicle (Motor Cade 2 because we were a secret service team) and ran leg 2. It's nice to not be 1 so you can really focus to get ready and have a better feel for when it's your turn. If you have never done a Ragnar (or relay similar), I highly encourage you to do so. Not only is it as competitive as you wish, but the team part of it all makes it such an amazing experience. We did not make the start but did cheer on Motor Cade 1 and their first few runners. Our destination was the first major exchange where we would take over for MC1 so they could go ahead to eat and rest before it was their turn again.
My first leg was 5.2 miles. It was kinda hilly but a good one to get started on. I tried to keep in mind that I had many miles between my next two legs and did not want to kill my legs. I think I did well with holding back some and not killing myself. The hills were pretty tough as the weather was the main thing we had to battle. It felt like it was in the 90's with very high humidity. I was conservative but did kind of pick it up a bunch the last couple miles.
My second leg was not as enjoyable as my first. My shin splints really kicked in on the later part of this 9.2 miler but my feet decided to follow suit as well. I was not feeling the greatest after this leg and it is always my favorite. It was raining some and that made it better. I was dead tired and ready to crash. We went to the our next major exchange and I got some needed rest!
My third leg was late morning and was listed as 6.2 miles. I was pumped for this one because it had some downhill and it should be a breeze. I had no idea what was in store. Warming up there was a guy wearing a "USATF RACE TEAM" jersey. They don't just give those out to anybody. It was an elite team with very fast guys blowing through the field since they started so much later than everybody else. I have only been passed one time (also called a suicide) and was not wanting another. He started after me and had about a quarter mile lead when I took off. I was safe but started to feel really good and after a 6:21 first mile I wondered if I could catch him. Next mile, 6:14. I decided I was going to try to run him down! Next mile 5:58 and I was feeling great. Needless to say, I did not catch him but I did really close that quarter mile gap to maybe 10 seconds or so. It was fun and a great way to end my running for the weekend.
I took Sunday and Monday off. Monday I did see my chiropractor, acupuncturist, and got an hour massage. I thought it was the least I could do for my body holding up like it did and has been. Now it's back to training and another Ragnar 4 weeks away. Napa should be awesome but I have a lot to focus on in the next few weeks. Lot's of miles and I'm doing my own program instead of the Runner's World one. I'll use some of it but need some other areas tweaked.
That's all for now. See ya out there!
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