Fitness Flashback

MapMyRun gave me a Fitness Flashback from 2 years ago.

I ran this during Ragnar - Wasatch Back in 2013. It was a great middle of the night run. A good distance. These are the types of runs that I continue to look forward to. I've set my sights on Top of Zion relay for 2016. Here's to setting goals and getting back into running!

Massage out the Ache

When it comes to running (or other forms of exercise), sore muscles are often a result. At the suggestion of a close running friend, I purchased a "stick" that is used to roll out muscles.

The reason that I grown to love this more than the foam roller (I still use foam roller, but will discuss that in a later blog), is that it is small and can massage out just about every muscle group.

You can pick up one of these sticks (or similar product) at your local running store or purchase it online (like amazon). I picked mine up at Runners Corner in Orem. (I am in no way getting paid to mention them or this product)

Whether you are just starting out running, adding more miles, training for uphill or downhill, this type of stick will help you to recover quicker by rolling out your muscles. Pressure and tolerance is determined by you.

I was able to take this with me during the Ragnar Relay - Wasatch Back. It was more than helpful to have on hand in between my legs of the relay to keep my muscles from being to tight. I feel that this is one of the reasons that my recovery time was shortened immensely due to this.

Ragnar - Wasatch Back

RAGNAR Recap

Are you ready for this?

I finished RAGNAR - Wasatch Back! I am a big fan of relay races. I've ran a few races since I started running a few years ago and relay's are definitely at the top of my list. When people ask me "How was Ragnar?", I want to prepare a presentation to show and explain everything about it, but I end up just showing my enthusiasm for the race in the sound of my voice and a quick reply "It was freakin' amazing!" It truly was. 

A few words to describe this event? Chocolate milk, muddy buddies, ready, unicorns, rainbows, gatorade, fig newton, uphill, downhill, sweaty, sleepless, hot, cold, shoes, medal, $100 t-shirt, dance parties.

What is ragnar? Here are some statistics about the race.

By the numbers... 
70,200 Safety Pins
18,000 (or so) Ragnarians
3,300+ Amazing Volunteers
3,000 Goodie Bags
1,500+ Cones
1,500 Teams
700+ Honey Buckets
198 Miles From Logan to Park City
130+ Staff and SWAT Volunteers that stayed up well over 24 hours to make it all happen
70 Police Officers working odd hours
22nd of June, 2013 - Official "Utah Ragnar Day"
21 Stations of Medics and/or Local EMS
10 Year Anniversary Event
6 The number of runners that make up and Ultra Team
3 Days
2 Relays
1 Crazy Awesome Experience

Now let me show you a few pictures depicting the course and the legs of the race that I covered.

Above - Course map

Below - My 1st Leg (I was runner 9). Dedicated to my son Kyden.  avg pace 8.04 m/mile

Above - Leg 21 - My 2nd leg and by far my favorite. Middle of the night serenity! Dedicated to my wife Kelli. She inspires me! Avg pace 9.32 m/mile 

Below - Leg 33 - 3rd and final run. Middle of the day. Blazing heat and insane uphill. Dedicated to Jennifer Hovinga and all of her family. Avg pace13.19 m/mile

Below - Picture from 3rd Leg. When I reached the end of this leg, I yelled as loud as I could because I had done it!

My team (Both van #1 and van #2 together)

This race was exhilarating. It was great to learn more about myself both physically and mentally. I am grateful that I was able to push myself farther than I have before. There were moments on the 3rd leg where I didn't think I was going to make it. To the gentleman that encouraged me halfway up the hill, I am grateful. His suggestions of "run 10 seconds then walk 10 seconds" is what helped me to finish. It doesn't necessarily matter how fast we finish, just that we finish what we started.

Now I have a ragnar medal, t-shirt and Ragnar 2013 window decal that I can hang in my car for the world to see :D

Thanks van #2 - Josh (+Joshua Snow Hansen) , Whitney (+Whitney Ulrich), Whitney F, Kaylynn (+Kaylynn Zoe Young), and Chris. Your words of encouragement also helped to keep me going. 

Here are a few more photos from the experience. Top - sleepy time. Middle - prepping for night run (yes those are my shorts that are drying). Bottom - pre race team photo with our cool shirts.