Ragnar Chicago

Ragnar Chicago.

I'm finding it hard to put those 60 or so hours I spent with 11 other amazing people into words.

In short, it was everything I could have asked for and more.

It all started Thursday afternoon when I headed down to Milwaukee to meet up with a chunk of my teammates and pick up our vans. The six of us who would be spending the next two days in Van 2 got lucky and ended up with a 15-passenger van. Yes. 15-passenger. And me? The girl who drives a Ford Focus? I drove that spaceship to Madison. And didn't crash. Although Garmin Dave might have gotten a bit snippy with me at one point.

 Pre-Ragnar bonding.

Once we got to Madison, we checked into our hotel and met up with our remaining teammates before heading out to Noodles for some pre-Ragnar food. Then it was back to the hotel and time for some more team bonding. Which of course involved beer.

At some point, the Van 1 teammates decided it was time to sleep - something about having to run early in the morning - so us Van 2 runners continued our bonding and drinking downstairs in the hotel lobby.

Team B*****s Be Crazy, being a little silly.

The next morning dawned bright and early. Our runners would be starting at 8 a.m., but we all met up at the start line for pictures. Before we knew it, Runner No. 1 was off and so was Van 1.

 

We jumped. Or tried to.

For the six of us in Van 2? First there was an attempt at a jumping picture. Then it was time for food. One power outage - while I was in the shower - and one fire alarm - while I was clothed only in a towel - later and we hit the road for Lake Mills to decorate the van and wait for our teammates.

We got prime parking at Exchange 6 in the Lake Mills High School parking lot. Seriously. Every Ragnar van wanted the LCat of the Week spot (which apparently didn't matter too much since our van got hit by another big white Ragnar van).

 

 It's harder to draw Mr. Potato Head than you think.

After going through the safety briefing, we got down to the business and decorated the van. There were boxes to check off when legs were finished, a "map" from MadTown to ChiTown, Mr. Potato Head and some feathery ta-tas.

Eventually we met up with our Van 1 teammates and we went to wait for Runner No. 6 to come in. And with minutes to go, we were left scrambling after hearing that Leg 7 would be 3.5 miles longer due to a detour. We switched up runners at the last minute and then it was time for Van 2 to begin our first set of legs!

Van 2 girls! Who knows where the boys were.

We leap frogged with out runners along the routes and cheered them into the exchanges. Eventually it was time for my first run, a 5.9 mile jaunt along the Glacial Drumlin Trail. A straight shot. No chances of me getting lost. Even though it was only 6:30 p.m., I would be finishing just after the nighttime hours went into effect, so I was decked out in my neon yellow tank, my reflective vest and headlamp. Oh, and I was still wearing my sunglasses. Because, you know, the sun was still shining.

I finished my leg and handed off the slap bracelet to Runner No. 12. After he was done, it was time to find some food. After we pulled into Exchange 18, we all tried to get a little bit of sleep, knowing we'd be running our next legs in the middle of the night.

Tried is the key word. My eyes were closed. But it was that restless sleep. Tossing, turning, hearing all the voices. I maybe got an hour or so. But at least I was able to close my eyes in the dark.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Van 2 started running again and before I knew it, it was 4 a.m. and time for me to run again. This time it was 7 miles through the neighborhoods in Racine. My longest leg. It was cold when I started running - like see your breath cold - but I warmed up quickly. And if I was worried about getting attacked, I shouldn't have since I was armed with a plastic knife from Noodles (thanks to a teammate). On this leg, I'm proud to say I registered two kills. And let me tell you, they were hard!

But 7 miles after I started, I was done and handing off to Runner 12 and shortly after, we were greeted with this:

Welcome to Racine, folks.

There was another stop for food, and even though we all were starving, we barely touched the food once it came to the table and I may have had my first regular Coke in more than 8 years.

We headed to the last major exchange to wait for Van 1 to finish up and then we began our last legs through Illinois. My 4.9 mile leg was through Evanston. Had I not been paying attention to the sidewalk in an attempt not to fall flat on my face, I would have been greeted with some pretty amazing scenery as I ran through some pretty swanky neighborhoods with huge houses.

I'm responsible for five of those marks.

I grabbed one kill while in sight of my van mates. What? The dude slowed down to walk. He was right there in front of me. I sped up. He decided to start running again. I couldn't let him stay in front of me. So I sprinted. Passed him - barely - and then slowed down and watched him pass me up. Dude. Still counts as a kill.

When I was in front of the Northwestern University football stadium, some lady told me it was "just straight for three blocks, take a right and another three blocks and you're done!" Liar. I swear I went like 9 blocks straight and another 6 after I turned right. They must count blocks funny down there in Evanston.

But I eventually finished. Handed off that slap bracelet to Runner 12 and we were off to try to beat him to the finish line in Chicago traffic (harder than it sounds since he was speedy!). But we did it (barely), ran into the finish line with our teammates and had a mini celebration before heading home.

What. An. Experience.

Seriously. Ragnar Chicago 2013 was amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people - many who I already knew, but a few new friends as well - to travel that 200ish miles with.

When can we do it again?

Ragnar Eve!

Guys! It's finally here! It's Ragnar Eve!

Beginning tonight, I'll be hanging out with and running 196 miles from Madison to Chicago with B*tches Be Crazy at Ragnar Chicago. I haven't talked a lot about Ragnar this year on the blog, but I am SUPER excited to be embarking on this journey with these 11 other people. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a good time.

While this will be my second Ragnar Chicago, in a way it kind of feels like my first. Remember when I did it last year? I was so excited to make that journey with 11 other female bloggers. And it was fun, except anything and everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong.

Heat. A late start time that left us running completely alone. Heat. Having to skip some legs because we were so far behind. Heat. Me never seeing the finish line because I had to head home for a family emergency. Heat.

So yeah, I ran it. I got a medal. But to me, it doesn't feel like I really earned. it. Let's just say I have some unfinished business with this relay.

So this afternoon I'll head down to Milwaukee to pick up some vans and our other teammates. We'll head to Madison for some team bonding and tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. we'll be off running. Literally. Well, I won't. At least not for another 8 hours or so since I'm Runner No. 11 this year.

I'll be back post-Ragnar with some recaps of the experience (yes, this year I WILL write blog posts about Ragnar). Until then, follow us on Twitter, @TeamBBCrazy, or our Facebook page. I'm sure it'll be an entertaining journey.

May Reading Recap

Not only can I not believe it’s already June 1, but I seriously can’t believe how much I’ve been reading. Part of me feels as though I need to find another hobby in order to spend some time away from books. But then, books. I like getting lost in them.

Oh well. With the nicer weather, I might see the reading drop a bit. But in May? That didn’t happen.

I ended up reading seven books in May for a total of 1,919 pages. That brings the yearly total to 33 books. Yes. You read that right. Thirty-three books. And 10,830 pages. Needless to say, I’m well on my way to hitting my 52 book goal. And for giggles, compare those numbers to last year when I had finished 17 books and 5,605 pages. Whoa. That’s a bit of a difference.

So what’d I read this month? Take a look:

Providence by Jamie McGuire

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

Between the Lines by Tammara Webber

Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

And now for the brief reviews, complete with number of stars given out on GoodReads. Follow me here if you’d like a more timely update on what I’m reading, what I think and what’s been added to my to-read list.

Providence by Jamie McGuire  ****

I had requested this at the library so long ago, that I had forgotten what it was about.  It’s about a girl, Nina, who’s father dies and she learns that he’d been keeping some secrets from her. Nina meets Jared, they click and he turns out to be her guardian angel, charged with keeping her safe. It actually was a pretty decent read and at times was hard to put down.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald  ****

Oh Gatsby. I hadn’t read this since high school and honestly, at the time I don’t think I appreciated it much. But with the release of the movie, I knew I had to pick it up again before I saw the flick. I liked it much better this time. Oh, and I still haven’t seen the movie.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry  *****

Echo, who goes from popular girl to outsider with the scars, and Noah, the bad-boy and their messed up pasts. Not sure what it was about this book, but it was a good plot and I kind of loved the characters.

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks  ****

Whenever I’m ready for a quick, mindless read, I tend to go for Nicholas Sparks. And his stories usually don’t disappoint. Not a bad read. Even if you can totally tell where the story is going.

Between the Lines by Tammara Webber  ***

Teenage actors and actresses on the set of a movie. There’s a love triangle. Eh. It was OK. At times a bit slow.

Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan  ***

A Kindle freebie. I wasn’t expecting much. 

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn  *****

Guys. I really, really like this author. There’s something about her writing style. Her stories just pull me in and I seriously have a hard time putting the book down. This was no different. A reporter gets sent to her hometown to cover the murder of two little girls. While there, you learn about her somewhat messed up back story. The ending? Creepy. But wow. So good. Quite possibly my favorite book by Gillian Flynn.

Not exactly sure what’s next for June. I’ve been working my way through Pride and Prejudice, which is not a fast read at all, even though it’s fairly short. After that? Who knows. What have you been reading? Any suggestions?

Cellcom Green Bay Half Marathon Race Report

This is one of those races where the final three-quarters of a mile make the rest of it worth it.

I headed into the Cellcom Green Bay Half Marathon under-trained and not so prepared. I knew I wouldn't be fast. But I knew I could cover the miles, if anything for that lap around Lambeau Field.

Because who am I kidding? That's my favorite part of this race.

I headed up to the expo on Saturday and picked up my packet. After Mom and I had lunch at Curly's Pub, we headed out to drive the course. I just wanted to familiarize myself with it, even though I've run this enough times that I remember the roads well. Like, I know not to look to my left around Mile 10.5, because I'll see Lambeau Field looming and I'll still have almost 2 miles to go.

I went to bed Saturday night, set my alarm for way too early in the morning and the next thing I knew, it was time to get up and run a half marathon. We made it up to Green Bay with about an hour to spare. That gave me plenty of time to get a decent parking spot, hit up the bathrooms twice and try to talk myself into being able to do this.

Soon it was time to hope the fence and get into the mass of 7,000 runners on Lombardi Avenue who were running the full or half marathons.

One cool thing race organizers did. In the wake of what happened at Boston last month, race organizers put together a tribute to Boston. Each runner Sunday got a blue silicon wrist band in their packets that said "We Run As One" and "Boston 2013." After the national anthem was sung, we were all asked to raise our wrists in the air and observed a 26 second moment of silence. It was pretty powerful.

 Pre-race photo with Vince looking on in the background.

After that, it was go time.

There was nothing special about the first miles of the course. I ran. Kept a decent pace, only walking briefly through the water stations. I saw my Mom around Mile 4 and tossed her my iPod.

Oh, did I forget to mention that? As I was standing at the start line, I went to turn my iPod on so all I would have to do was hit play. Instead of hearing Dropkick Murphy's in my ears, what did I hear? Absolutely nothing. No lights either. That's right, even though I had had it plugged in and charging overnight (or so I believed), I had a completely dead iPod. Leaving me to run 13.1 miles without music. Something I haven't done in a long time.

Still happy at Mile 4.

Oh boy.

So I tossed the iPod to my Mom and settled in for another 9 music-less miles.

Somewhere around Mile 6 it started to get pretty warm. There were few clouds in the sky and at this point we were leaving the shaded residential areas. So lots of sun, little shade, rising temperatures and it was starting to get humid. Oh, and no wind. Great.

Knowing this and knowing I wasn't really prepared, I started to sprinkle in the walks. Because I really didn't want to overdo it and I didn't want to leave Green Bay hurt. So I didn't feel bad. I mixed it up, running, taking a bit of a walk at the water stations and then running.

Pretty soon Lambeau Field was on my left - yes, I looked, even though I knew not to - and I was running through the somewhat dull industrial-type area. But then I turned left and there Lambeau Field was. Right in front of me.

I ran. Chatted with a runner next to me a bit. And kept my eyes on the prize - Lambeau Field. Through the parking lot and into the stadium. Funny thing, as soon as I entered into that entrance, I could feel this smile spread across my face. Others around me were slowing down to walk. But I didn't.

 I'm running through Lambeau!

I was going to run every step through that stadium and savor it. This. This is why I run Green Bay.

I hit the end of the players' tunnel and there was a volunteer.

"Welcome to Lambeau Field," he says.

Thank you.

One of the best race pictures I've ever taken. Not worth the money they'd charge me for it though.

I kept running. Looking around. Smiling. Relishing the moment. I tried - unsuccessfully - to give my Mom a high five as I ran past. And then I was heading back up the players tunnel and exiting the stadium to the finish line.

It wasn't my best time. The clock read 2:54 when I finished. But given my lack of training and the heat, I'm OK with that. Because, you know what? That last three-quarters of mile through the stadium made everything worth it.

 Everyone needs a post-race picture with a headless Vince Lombardi.

Three Things Thursday

1. Seriously, Mother Nature. Get your head on straight and figure out the weather. I'm kind of sick of one day being hot, humid and in the 80s and a day later being in the low 50s with rain and lots of wind. It is nearly the end of May after all.

2. I tried something completely different Monday. I went to Water Zumba with my Mom. Let's just say it was interesting. Kind of fun, but not necessarily something I'd like to do with any kind of regularity. Because let's just say I have coordination.

3. Green Bay was on Sunday, other than my attempt at Water Zumba, I haven't done anything this week. I'm taking it easy. But that will change on Saturday, when I head out for my first long training run with the Pacesetters group in preparation for the Fox Cities half in September. I'm hooking up with the free community training group in hopes of getting my mojo back and actually running a half better prepared than I was this spring.

A post about goats. Er, goals.

Everyone likes animals.

That's why you get this picture of a miniature goat to start off this goals post. Because really. How upset can you get with me for not having goals when you open your blog reader and see a face like that?

But given the fact that it's race weekend, I kind of feel obligated to write a race goals post.

But in case you didn't pick up on it yesterday, I don't really have goals. I'm not properly trained to put goals out there for Green Bay. My goal? Enjoy the run, have fun and run through Lambeau Field with a smile.

And here's one more of the goat.

So cute. But kind of creepy at the same time.

Three Things Thursday: Green Bay edition

1. You all read about the poster thief at the Packers Tailgate Tour stop. Well, he may have stole my autographed poster, but he doesn't get to run through Lambeau Field on Sunday. That's right, it's Cellcom Green Bay Half Marathon week.

2. I said it before, but I'm so not ready for this race. Like Raleigh, this will be another race that I'll run as much as I can and then just do some kind of run/walk thing until I cross the finish line. There were times this last week that I seriously considered taking a DNS. I mean, I'm not prepared. Yes, I know I can cover the 13.1 miles, but I know the time on the finish line clock won't be pretty. But then I think. This is at Lambeau. I mean, seriously. How often do I get the chance to run through the players tunnel and take a lap around Lambeau Field? Not often. So that pretty much decided it for me. I'll just keep it low key, have a good run and enjoy that lap around Lambeau.

3. The weather man scared me earlier in the week, calling for heavy rain. But in the last few days, the chance of rain has diminished and weathermen are even starting to say that the rain chance will be "late" in the day. Plenty of time to finish 13.1 miles without having to swim. The only problem? As that rain chance goes down, the temps seem to be going up, to the point where we're looking at a high near 80. Gulp.

Tailgating pre-season style

It shouldn't be a surprise. I like the Packers.

So when I was presented with the opportunity to go the Packers Tailgate Tour stop in Oshkosh last night, I jumped at the chance. Packers? Tailgate fun? And not have worry about doing work stuff? I was in.

Each spring, the Packers put together this tailgate tour. A couple of current and former Packers jump on a bus and they head out to a couple of official stops, but they throw in a couple of surprise stops along the way. This year Randall Cobb, Jarrett Bush and Alex Green would be joining former Packers Santana Dotson, Frankie Winters and Aaron Taylor along with Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. The Oshkosh stop was the first one of the tour.

I had to work late, but as soon as that last question was asked, I headed over to the tailgate festivities. I walked in in the middle of the Q&A session. I met up with some friends and after the Q&A and some games were done, it was time to head into the lines. We had to make a choice: Line up for food right away or line up to get our autographs.

We opted for autographs. The food could wait.

Just hanging with Randall Cobb.

And it was a good decision, because it took us an hour to get through the line. But finally, it was our time to walk across the stage and get an up close look at the players as they signed our stuff. I put my poster on the table and watched as they signed it.

And of course we snapped a few pictures.

And we're BFFs with Jarrett Bush.

But somewhere between Alex Green and Santana Dotson, a crime occurred.

Yes. I'm using the word crime.

 Alex Green is enjoying this tailgate thing.

Because the "die hard" Packers fan behind us in line -- well he stole my poster.

See I watched my poster get signed, followed it through the line and when I got to the end? There was no poster! Now, the people in front of me? Well, I was with them, so I'm pretty sure they didn't take it. But that "die hard" (which by the way, what die hard wears a blue beer shirt to a Packers event? Not much of a die hard if you ask me)? He ended up walking off the stage with a miniature helmet AND a signed poster.

Now, normally I'm not a confrontational person. But last night? I confronted the dude.

I went up to him and told him I was pretty sure he had my poster. I stated my case. His response? It wasn't him. He watched as his poster and miniature helmet went through the line.

Well, we were only allowed one item to autograph and they were pretty strict about that. So I really didn't buy that story.

And then? He pulls out his signed poster and an unsigned poster (once again, we were allowed one and they were strict) and had the nerve to offer me the unsigned poster! Dude. He knew he swiped my poster. Something I confirmed by the fact that he skedaddle out of the room as quickly as he could without looking back.

I may have run into Aaron Rodgers.

Now. It's a poster. With autographs. That I waited for for an hour. It would have been cool to have.

But really? Bigger picture-wise, it was a charity event. Something the Packers don't have to do. And for this dude to steal some one's autographed poster, just an extra set of autographs? That's low.

I just hope he can sleep at night.

Other than my run in with the poster thief, if it was a fun event to go to. And I got some cool pictures.

If the event comes back to my area, I'll go again. I'll just make sure to stay away from shady looking dudes would could be potential poster thieves.