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Ragnar Relay - Great River?
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BikerGrrrl (Emily) - runner0 Votes - [0%]
Matchman (Tom) - runner1 Votes - [33.33%]
Joe Ryan - At home weather checker1 Votes - [33.33%]
Kelpeng (Kelly) - runner1 Votes - [33.33%]

2007-10-01 3:48 PM

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Subject: Ragnar Relay - Great River?

Has any done, or is anyone interested in doing, the Ragnar Relay next summer?  I'm assuming they will do it again anyway...   The Ragnar Great River is a 24-hour relay road race from LaCrosse to Minneapolis. 

More info: http://www.ragnarrelay.com/greatriver/index.php

Basically, you get a team of 12 people and each person runs three legs.  It's good for a mixed bag of runners because the legs vary in distance and difficulty.  You have two support vans that transport 6 runners and support.  You leapfrog the runners to provide support and encouragement and drop off/pick up runners.

I'm interested in this and wondered if anyone else would be.  It was in late August last year, so I assume it will be around the same time next year.  I am attempting to make this into a poll hoping you will add your name if you're interested.  I will revive this later if there's enough interest.  And, if you're not interested but have a van and/or are interested in support, that's great too!

Add your name to the list if you'd like to be kept in the loop...



2007-10-01 4:29 PM
in reply to: #986148

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?

I would SO be down with this. My wife's friends did Hood to Coast this summer but I couldn't play because it was Kathryn's 30th birthday. I can't say I wasn't a little bit bummed.

Dates for '08 are August 22-23. The latter happens to be Kathryn's birthday but maybe this year she'll let me join the fun.  

2007-10-01 8:32 PM
in reply to: #986148

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?
Oh I wish I could but I'll be on a taper for another race at that time.  Sounds like a great way to spend some quality time with other b.ters.
2007-10-01 8:43 PM
in reply to: #986650

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?

1.  You can always come along and drive the van

2.  Aren't you in Mexico?  Do something OTHER than BT for heaven's sake.

mndiver - 2007-10-01 8:32 PM Oh I wish I could but I'll be on a taper for another race at that time.  Sounds like a great way to spend some quality time with other b.ters.

2007-10-02 7:58 AM
in reply to: #986148

Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?
I believe my wife will be doing this relay with a group at her work, so I most likely won't be able to join the group. But I would be interested in being kept in the loop just in case because I've heard that this event is a blast. Who knows, maybe I'd make it out to spectate with the kids.
2007-10-02 8:15 AM
in reply to: #986148

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?

This sounds like a great time! I'm willing to run if you're absolutely desperate for runners. But I'm slower than molasses so, seriously, I'm fine being support only too.

ETA: I thought I added myself to the poll above, but it's not showing up. I'll give it a while before trying again.



Edited by kelpeng 2007-10-02 8:16 AM


2007-10-02 8:26 AM
in reply to: #987055

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?

I added you Kelly, it wasn't there.  We'd love to have you!  I'm really not much faster, I'm just in this for fun.  And we at least know you've got the endurance

I should probably actually add as a note to all:  This isn't going to be a winning team.  With my participation, knowing I'm a 10min/mile runner, we'll never win. This is for fun only.



Edited by BikerGrrrl 2007-10-02 8:27 AM
2007-10-02 10:57 AM
in reply to: #987080

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?
BikerGrrrl - 2007-10-02 8:26 AM

I should probably actually add as a note to all: This isn't going to be a winning team. With my participation, knowing I'm a 10min/mile runner, we'll never win. This is for fun only.

Well, then I'm out. You know, since I'm so much faster than all of you and I win everything I enter. Laughing

2007-10-02 11:24 AM
in reply to: #986148

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?
I will need to think...think...think about this one. My brother in law - who is a runner, has done Hood to Coast many times, just did one of these on the east coast, and has done others - loves the whole concept of relays...of course, his teams do really well...but i do think it would be a blast. Just need to think...think....think some more...
2007-10-02 1:58 PM
in reply to: #987568

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?

Don't strain yourself on this too much.  I'm just curious about interest for now.  It's a long way away, even I cannot guarantee I can do it.  

trigirlkris - 2007-10-02 11:24 AM I will need to think...think...think about this one. My brother in law - who is a runner, has done Hood to Coast many times, just did one of these on the east coast, and has done others - loves the whole concept of relays...of course, his teams do really well...but i do think it would be a blast. Just need to think...think....think some more...

2007-10-07 7:46 PM
in reply to: #986148

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?
I did the Great River Relay this year and was actually the team captain (team #15, Turbo All-Stars). It took a bit of work to organize everything so its good that you are starting to think about it now. Registration costs less through March I believe and then the price goes up. If you have around 8 people, I would register sometime this winter and then work on recruiting the rest of your team.

As for the actual event, it was a complete blast. We had a mix of runners and abilities, 6 men, 6 women, with 10K paces ranging between 7:00min/mile and 10:20min/mile. It took us 31 hours and 13 minutes to complete the race, putting us in the middle of the pack. Night running is awesome. I was a little creeped out at first and the headlamp only gives you about 10 feet of light, so you can't see any of the hills coming up. Of the 12 runner positions, 4 of them were extremely difficult, 4 of them were right in the middle, and 4 of the positions were fairly easy, so I divided the teams accordingly. My friend who does HIM got one of the harder legs and since I am a slower runner and have mostly stuck to Sprint Tri's, I nabbed one of the easier legs. We drank plenty of water, gatorade, and beer. Good memories! All 11 of my teammates said that they "definately would do it again." There were 103 teams this year and I predict there will be even more next year, to make it even a crazier race.

I attached some fun pictures: The first picture was taken in Stockholm Wisconsin at a Major Exchange between van 1 and van 2. I am on the left.

Edited by deutsch 2007-10-07 7:55 PM




(GRR1.jpg)



(GRR2.jpg)



(GRR3.jpg)



Attachments
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GRR1.jpg (58KB - 13 downloads)
GRR2.jpg (59KB - 13 downloads)
GRR3.jpg (35KB - 13 downloads)


2007-10-08 1:40 PM
in reply to: #995726

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?
Fun - thanks for sharing Deutsch!
2007-10-08 1:49 PM
in reply to: #986148

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?
If this does happen I would probably be all for being a driver.
2007-11-08 11:58 AM
in reply to: #986148

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Subject: RE: Ragnar Relay - Great River?

I was a last minute substitute this year for the Ragnar Relay.  I'm not a runner, I hate running but I had a blast doing this race. 

My first leg was 8 miles, and then I had two 5 mile legs.  I stated my 2nd leg at 4:30 AM in St. Croix, WI.  The first mile was fine but the next 4 miles where straight up hill in the dark, scary but thrilling, I was happy that I could not see the uphill as I went along.  Don't worry, I had a head lamp on but I could only see 2 to 3 feet in front of me.  The last leg I had was running down by the Ford Dam, crossing the river and then along Minnehaha Parkway.

It was a fun experience and kind of a long day but well worth the experience. 

 

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