RAGNAR Relay 2012!

This past weekend we competed in the 2012 RAGNAR Relay from Madison to Chicago (198 miles). For those that do not know what RAGNAR is, I'll explain... You take 12 people (preferably friends since you are going to spend 20-30 hours packed together), split them into two vans, have one person start running, drive ahead and drop off the next person, pass off the baton (snap bracelet), and repeat 36 times through the night until the finish line. Each person runs 3 times with total mileage ranging from 14 to 21 miles. The night legs are pretty interesting running through the dark with a headlamp, although the night is often the most comfortable since it was scorching during the day.

Oh and then there are the costumes. Most teams decorate their vans and have some theme going throughout the race. Our team name was "everyday we're shufflin" based off of the LMFAO music video. I had to google it to figure out what we were doing.

Those are the basics, the first van runs the first 6 legs, passes off to the second van, and then gets to "rest" until 6 more legs have passed and it's time to run again. The off time is really only 4ish hours so the maximum amount of sleep during the race is 3 hours at best. We slept under the stars in a field next to the YMCA in Racine, WI. Overall it was a great time and it is quite the experience. There were 423 teams with 2 vans each, some extensively decorated, driving through the back roads of Wisconsin and Illinois. Our team finished 52nd with a time of 27 hours and 43 minutes. We are tentatively planning on racing the RAGNAR Adirondacks next year from Saratoga to Lake Placid so stay tuned east coasters. Enjoy the pictures.

Typical exchange. This is our teammate Michelle finishing one of her leg.

Typical night attire. We had to run with reflective vests, headlamps, and flashing tail lights. 

Quick nap in a field

Post-race beer!

Our van: Chris, Lauren, Diana, Me, Nikki, and Joe. Yes Joe is wearing a speedo and yes he ran his last leg in it (Bucknell colors no less... supporting his alma mater)

Team "Everyday We're Shufflin" all decked out.