A Teammates Blog Entry...His Ragnar Experience...

7/31/2010

Ragnar Relay 2010

Filed under: General — bilbo @ 8:39 pm

I ran the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage this year, much as I did last year. It was another good time.
The team was radically different this year. Only 5 people from the 12 last year were the same. However the new additions certainly were fun.
This year I was racer 12 instead of 11. I only had 17 miles, about the same as last year, so I felt I knew what to expect. I trained for a couple of months and really felt ready. This time in particular I ran hills since that was what killed me last year.
Our start time was a couple of hours later than last year, so I wasn’t running the same times. It was kind of sad because I really liked the middle of the night run last year. Instead I got to run the morning and see the sun rise. Less dramatic than the lightning storm I ran in last time, but nice nonetheless.
I think the biggest difference was the stamina of the team, or at least those in our van this year. Last year the van I was in was mostly “avid” runners, while this year felt more casual. Actually, that was a nice thing, since I myself am far from an elite runner. The pacing was good. Also, having a dedicated driver was awesome. I would heartily recommend it for any team, if they can find one.
The sad part was that I was kind of stupid. I ran almost all of my legs on a broken foot. Inside of mile one on my first leg I somehow broke my left foot (specifically the 2nd metatarsal). I was wearing the Vibram KSOs, and I’m sure that contributed to it (more on that in another post). I adapted and started running on the outside of my foot, which meant my right leg compensated and I got cramps in my quad and calf. I didn’t want to quit though because other runners had difficulties. I felt that we were already asking a lot of everyone else so I just grinned and bore it. Oh well, c’est la vie.
The foot aside, this year was better in many ways. First, I took some dramanine, which helped in the van and made me tired enough so I actually slept. Second, I kept my diet more regulated, so I didn’t get sick. I’m not sure if it was the *Ade drinks I had (instead of just water like last year) or if I just kept a more consistent stream of fuel in my body, but it was pleasant not feeling like I had to yack just before my last run.
The spaghetti dinner was gone this year, replaced by a rather tepid breakfast. I don’t think I’ve ever seen bacon sliced so thin, nor eggs so bland (might have been powdered for all I know). Still, fuel is fuel, and it did start the day off right.
The last run was a lot more pleasant too. I knew right where the finish line was and I paced myself accordingly for the two major hills on the leg. It was fun running with the team past the finish line and I could actually enjoy it rather than being frustrated from being so exhausted.
Perhaps the best part was that my wife was able to make it up and see my finish. It was a very pleasant sight seeing her at the finish line. It made it that much more memorable.
Last year I said that I was going to participate again, and I did. Unlike last year, I’m not going to do it next year. I won’t go so far as to say that I won’t ever do it again, but 2 years in a row is enough for now. Next year my goal is to run a marathon, and I don’t want to feel obligated to run the Ragnar in addition. Who knows, maybe I’ll change my mind, but I doubt it.
Other memorable moments:

• Meeting Mike from D.C. (He’s not from Washington, he’s from D.C.)
• The ever growing list of pet peeves between said Mike and Jennifer
• play-by-play of Kim putting on her shoes at 2am
• The dorky flags to cross the road

So, like last year, many thanks to Cara, Kim, Runner Mike, Driver Mike, Marcy, and Jennifer for the fun. It was good seeing Rob, Francys, and Brent again, even if they weren’t in the same van. Unfortunately I didn’t get to know the others as well

Ragnar Video-

Rob worked hard on this slideshow of our Ragnar Relay Race. Sorry about the bad quality! Enjoy...
P.S I can't wait to run this one again next year!

I'm an Eater with a Running Disorder!

By the numbers:
- A Team of 12 Runners
- 189 Miles (Blaine to Langley, WA)
- Approx. 29 hours
- 2 Vans
- 42 water bottles
- 7 blisters
- 0 overdoses on energy gels (9 for Rob)
- Sleep: almost none!

Last weekend I ran my favorite race, the RAGNAR Relay Northwest Passage. I ran 18.4 miles, Rob ran 17. It was a blast! The memory that will ring in everyone's ears (literally) was me ringing Grandma Gulliver's old cow bell which we used to cheer each other on. "Can you feel the cow bell power?", I kept yelling.

I enjoy this race so much because of the camaraderie that comes from having fun and testing your limits alongside good people/friends. Each year it just seems to get better. I'm truly addicted. I can't wait til next year.
The pictures are available here:

http://jessicabjorn.smugmug.com/Events/Ragnar-2010/13105610_2MWGo#950177937_GbQ28

I'd like to thank:
Dan & Noriko- for watching my daughters.
Deb- for watching my girls
Cara- for being a great Captain
Brent- for coming all this way and making it extra fun
Melody - for letting us use your van, eating burned pizza and being crazy fun
Bryant- lending us your wife and van
Cara's mother-in-law - for letting us visit at your home which is a heaven on earth
And to everyone else for their support and encouragement!

Saying Good Bye to Our Friends The Fergi's...

It is so sad to have to say good bye to good friends.  Specially those whom we have had so much fun with and love dearly!  We just now have an excuse to go to Missoula, MT....

On Sunday we had dinner with our friends the Slesk, who had invited the Fergi's for dinner as well.  They provided us with the opportunity to say our last good byes.  We had a good time and enjoyed each other's company, as always.  Thank you Slesk family for such a delicious dinner and great company.

Matt and Patty, you guys are the best.  You remind us of how Rob and I were when we were first married and starting our family.  Thanks for being such a good example to us and for your love, friendship and support.  We will MISS you so much and the boys!  I know we will not be the only ones in Bellingham Missing you guys! 

We love you!  Have fun and enjoy your new life.  It is a whole new adventure!

Dinner With The Lindsey's

The Lindsey's are just wonderful folks to be with.  They are the most neatest friends ever.  They put up with our crazy kids any time!!!!  They moved out of our Ward boundaries almost a year ago and we had not had the chance to see them since.  Sis. Lindsey was Eliza's Primary teacher for about 2 years.  Eliza says that she is the best teacher she ever had.  Really sweet!

We were able to meet up for dinner last week at their new house, near the ocean.  We just had a good time catching up and just being with each other again.  We rode on the back of their son's truck to the beach, took a short walk along the shore and enjoyed the sunset from their balcony.  We later had the kids sing and recite silly poems and tell jokes.  Super fun and funny!

Thanks so much to our dear friends the Lindsey's.  We can't wait to have dinner with you both again!  We love you!

Sweet Girls...

While Rob and I were on a short run the other day, the girls were doing this...

They were exercising and eating at the same time.  On the front of the chairs there were toasted bagels on top of paper napkins...heeheee!

Reason #6...

Newsflash: Primary children now part of Bishopric Meetings...

Church had been long, followed by an after-church Scout camp meeting.  As the meeting began we noticed that we were missing Sophia.  Eliza sweetly volunteered to go find her.   Then after the meeting we were happy to be in the car heading home for lunch. As usual, we began to ask the kids how their lessons went at Church.  Then we were interrupted by some fuss from the back of the van. It was only half as loud.


It was Sophia, ranting and crying (...something about her BFF. Whatever that is!)

Oh yes, now I remember...Best Friends Forever. Louder she yelled about her BFF not being there. Then it dawned on me; "I know who her best friend is: Juliette". 

We thought maybe she was hiding in the trunk or under the seats.  The kids have done this to us before.

Rob called out "Juliette", no reply. "Juliette!", again silence. Looking back I noticed Juliette missing from the back seat and she was nowhere to be found.  Sophia even check the trunk.

By now we had driven about 4 blocks.  We made a quick 180 and headed back to church. Bursting through the doors we went to the last place we had seen her; the room where the Scout meeting was held. No Juliette. Then I remembered her asking to use the bathroom. A quick search of the ladies room followed: no Juliette. (but we did find a toilet which someone had forgotten to flush). We knew that we were hot on her trail.

We found her in the bishop's office, planning with the bishopric, giving her concurrence that hot dogs was a good choice for the next ward activity (one of the Bishopric members did call us to let us know that she was in the Bishop's office during their BYC meeting).

As we drove home two BFF's in the back seat hugged.

And that is for reason number six why we are not being intrusted with another child (by neither the Lord or an adoption agency).  We had two temporarily missing today!  We can't seem to keep up with the four we've got, heeheee!
 
P.S  Pictures brought to you via i-Phone again...
 
This is a picture of Eliza laughing over the fact that her sister got left behind.  As you can see Sophia was not very happy.  She kept telling all of us "It's not funny guys".

Here is Juliette being brought out by one of the members of our bishopric....She had a Cup of M&M's at hand with a smile

Here are the two happy BFF's reunited....

i-Phone Pictures- Larrabee State Park....

We had the wonderful opportunity to go to Larrabee State Park with friends all day, yesterday.  The weather was Perrrrrfect!  We planned it so that we could go to the beach  right as the tide was going down, this way we could explore and walk along the shore more freely.  It was so much fun.  We found so much life right at our feet.  The kids, Dan and Rob dug out so many clams.  It was a hoot to watch them.  These things were huge.  It was fun to also be squirted by them as we would walk by. 
We saw so many sand dollars and starfish, sea shells, and other living creatures that live on the ocean and the shore.  We truly enjoyed ourselves fully.  One funny thing-  my camera did not get packed (one of the kids was in charge of bringing it to the van before we left).  I was pretty sad and disappointed, but Rob comforted me by letting me know that our i-Phones have cameras.  So all these pictures I took were with my cell phone.  I couldn't zoom in, so most are far and dark.  But, I was glad to have a camera regardless of the quality.
We are so blessed to be living in such a gorgeous place.  The lack of sunshine and warmth is the price we pay for the abundant beauty all around us.  This place is luscious and so full of life!

More pictures to be posted later...it is passed my bedtime!  Stay tuned!

More Summer Fun....

The weather cooled off a bit this week, but it has been pleasant (upper 60's-lower 70's?).  The kids still managed to jump into the cold Lake and put up with purple lips for hours.  We also have enjoyed some campfires and roasting GIANT marshmallows ( I found these triple the normal size of the originals at our local market).  The kids have loved them...
I really thought that life would be less busy this Summer since I didn't sign up for anything, but we have managed to have play mates every day and have made trips into town more than planned.  Crazy!  I'm do for a vacation soon!!!!!
Anyhow, here are some fun pictures...