Ragnarly Race
Finally a race report from Jeremy. I had hoped to wait until we had compiled all of our pictures before doing this, but the memories are getting old so I thought I’d better do it now while I can still write half truths. After a while, my stories embellish themselves to the point that you can’t really tell what actually happened. I get this disorder from my Father genetically and from his friend Lew Lamb environmentally.
On this race, I was given the opportunity to be runner 10. Runner 10’s three runs are as follows: an easy 3.5 mile run around Pineview reservoir, a nice 6.5 mile run around Echo reservoir, through Coalville ending in Hoytsville, and a ridiculously difficult run up Guardsman pass.
Our preparations for this race began quite sometime ago. I started training in February following the intermediate training program that is suggested for this run. I managed to keep to this training program diligently running well over 800 miles during 2008 up to the run. I felt I was ready.
The night before our race, we all met together at Katie and Nate Rockwell’s house. I got to meet the rest of the runners who would be in my van. Van 2 consisted of Dad, Chris, Eric Shipley, myself, Steve Brown, and Mike Brown, all running in that order. We were excited and I didn’t hardly sleep a wink that night.
Friday morning we all made our way to Merlin Olsen (the starting line) and prepared for our 9:40am start. With a great deal of excitement, we lined up along the chute and watched our first runner (Steve DeLong) take off. 
The race had begun. We drove up ahead a bit and watched Min (runner 2) pass about 5 minutes ahead of schedule.
After which, we drove to exchange 6 (Liberty, UT) to wait for our turn to punish ourselves.
At Liberty we found a tremendous gathering of crazy runners all of whom had yet to run (read lots of energy and a bit of nerves.) As the time approached, Nate came barreling down the road, handed off to Dad and we were moving. Dad ran a strong leg, we later realized that would be his theme and that the only thing he did better than run was sandbag. Chris took off next running equally as hard. We were able to bump into his parents who had made the trip up to watch him as he passed through Eden UT. Chris handed off to Eric and I was up next. Eric ran a great leg and passed off to me.
My first run was beginning. I was wearing my Dad’s Forerunner (I have since purchased my own) and loved it. I started off way too fast and found that I did the first mile in 6:40. Instead of being smart and slowing down I decided to keep it up. After mile two I was at a 6:50 pace at which time I was very aware that it was ridiculously hot and began to falter. I finished my 3.5 miles with an average pace of 7:12 per mile.
I gladly handed off to Steve Brown who seems to have an unbelievably high pain threshold. He began running up Snow Basin absolutely flying for the grade. He handed off to Mike Brown and he too ran a solid run up to the Snow Basin lodge. We exchanged with van 1 and had a bit of time on our hands.
Thinking of nothing better to do, we drove to Morgan, ate a big dinner from Fazolis and made our way to the next major exchange located at East Canyon reservoir.
After trying for about an hour to get some sleep we were up to bat and took the hand off from Nate again. By this time is was very dark and we were running with headlamps.
Dad ran, handed it off to Chris, who in turn handed off to Eric. I was next. As I waited my turn, I bumped into a coworker from All West who was volunteering at my exchange. We chatted a bit during the wee hours of the morning (approx. 1am).
Eric came in and I was off. This run was actually very pleasant. I was determined to save some strength for Guardsman and wanted to run at about an 8:00/mile pace. I ended up very close coming in at 7:51/mile. I handed off to Steve Brown in Hoytsville who ran until the exchange in Wanship. Mike ran along Rockport reservoir setting a PR for the 5 mile run. Our van was once again done running.
In this off time we ventured to Mike’s home in Heber and got some shut eye. When I woke up at about 6am, I was dreading my last run. With nothing else to do, we drove to the final major exchange and waited our turn.
Dad being the first runner took off and we all eyed van 1 with a bit of envy, they were done running! Dad ran hard and refused any water or anything else that would delay his finishing.
Chris ran next and then passed off to Eric. Eric had the first part of the uphill and I watched with a bit of dread as I saw the incredible grade he was running up.
In no time at all he was handing off to me. I distinctly remember thinking 100 yards into my run that it may be time for me to begin walking! I managed to run a bit longer before giving in to walking up the steep areas and when getting water from my team members. I finished my run/walk at 9000 feet in elevation completely exhausted. It wasn’t until I reviewed the pictures that I even noticed we were running in a very beautiful area!
About the time I finished my run we got a phone call from Emily informing us that she had just signed us up for next year. Talk about horrible timing! Steve ran the next leg followed by Mike. During Mike’s run we made our way to the finish line and all ran down the chute with him.
We made it! We had a wonderful time, finished in 26:37:07 and surprisingly we were ahead of schedule. Everyone at some point or another ran faster than their projected pace and although the Guardsman leg was brutal, I was very proud of my running and everyone else’s as well.
For me, the enjoyment of this race had very little to do with running. This race was really all about building relationships with your teammates. I made good friends of people I didn’t know before and strengthened friendships and family ties with those I did know.
I’ve begun my training for Ragnar 09! Go Wannabes!
All photos can be found on my flickr account.
