One week from today, I, along with 11 of my closest girlfriends, nine of whom I’ve never met, will be running one of the most challenging events of our lives. Twelve women, 200 miles, from Huntington Beach to San Diego, nonstop. We’re running the Ragnar Relay, and all I keep thinking is, “how did I get myself into this?”
I’m kidding, of course. I am really excited about this event, but I probably never would have chosen to do it. So, how did I get here, seven days out, about to run a total of 16 miles in my three legs? I blame it all on have Melissa to thank.
I got an email from Melissa about two months ago. She told me that she was signed up for Ragnar Southern California, but was unable to participate. She wanted to know if I was interested in joining the team, which was mostly made up from bloggers who had met at Fitbloggin’.
At first, I was doubtful. As I said, this wasn’t something I would have chosen to do. I mean, running more than 16 miles, little or no sleep, with no real showers (or even toilets) along the way, didn’t sound like my cup of tea. I almost said no. But somewhere along the way, before that word came out of my mouth, it started to sound, well, fun. Challenging, exhausting, somewhat dirty, yes, but fun! I said yes.
Did you know they have training programs for Ragnar? They do! Not that I have actually followed one. Instead I am relying on my marathon training to help get me through. Fortunately, my team seems more concerned with the friendships and the experience than our finishing time. I think I may be a good fit!
As this week ends, and we head into race week, I have been making lists of what I need and want to bring with me. Along with basics like clothing, shoes, reflective vest, sleeping bag, pillow, phone chargers, here are a few things that I think will be essential for my success.
Halobelt
I was recently sent a Halobelt to try out, and I am so impressed! This LED illuminated belt is USB rechargeable, fits comfortably around your waist or over your shoulder, and lights you up like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Halobelt is a small, startup company that was funded by a kickstarter in 2012. The belt is lightweight and is the perfect safety tool, not only for runners, but for anybody who is active at night or in low light situations. Other uses for the Halobelt include law enforcement, children safety, skiing, hiking, motorist, roadside safety, airport traffic safety, extreme sports, and military. They even make one for dogs!
I have used my Halobelt a couple times, both on the run and when we walk our dogs early in the morning. It makes me visible from blocks away, is comfortable to wear (it is really lightweight so you don’t have to tighten it too tightly–it won’t bounce around.
While it’s use during Ragnar sounds obvious, it is so new that it is not even mentioned in the Ragnar Bible, which tells you what types of lighting and safety equipment that are needed. While a reflective belt is not allowed, the Halobelt is so much more. My plan is to wear it over my reflective vest so I won’t be breaking any rules, but I know that I will be safer.
Knuckle Lights
I’ve read a few reviews of Knuckle Lights
Enter Knuckle Lights. Each light is 45 lumens on high power, which is quite bright enough for running. They are lightweight and the silicone strap feels comfortable. You’d think that the light would jiggle when you run, but it doesn’t. The natural positioning of your arms while running means that the light shines ahead and shows you the way.
Flipbelt
I reviewed the Flipbelt several months ago and I still use it for almost every run. It is so comfortable and has room to hold my phone (and I have a huge one, the Samsung Note!), a couple of gels, money, keys, even my inhaler. I have a plastic bag that I can slip my phone into, which keeps it safe, and it slides right into one of the openings on the Flipbelt. It rides a little lower that the Halobelt, and both fit so comfortably that I’m not concerned that I will feel squeezed.
Ignite Naturals
I have been using Ignite Naturals since I reviewed them last year (I am an Ignite Athlete, which gives me a discount when I purchase). I use the InRefresh Electrolytes and the Reload Energy Gel. Both products are made with all natural ingredients (and are vegan of course). The reload gel is made either with 100% organic brown rice or 100% organic fig paste. It tastes good and goes down easily. In addition to being vegan, it is also non-GMO, gluten free, and contains no processed sugars or preservatives. I know both will come in handy during my run.
X2Performance
I have been using X2Peformance for a couple weeks before my long runs. I have been really impressed with how it makes me feel. I had a really excellent long run last weekend, and I feel that both my performance and quick recovery were helped by the product. I feel comfortable enough to use it before each of my legs in Ragnar. I had to reorder though, so I just hope that it arrives in time!
My Foam Roller
I don’t use my foam roller nearly as much as I should, but I’m definitely bringing it along for Ragnar. It is a small roller, so it won’t take up much room, but I know it will be needed between legs. And before. And after.
My Teammates
As I mentioned, I’m running with a great group of women, most of whom blog. I hope you will stop by their blogs and say hi! They are:
Carrie from Family, Fitness, Food
Gillian from That’s G
Amy from It’s All About the Journey
Melissa from The Valentine RD
Jill from Tree Fitness
Jamie from Sweat Guru
Jillienne from Chasing Raspberries
Kia from Bohdi Bear
The only two of my team that I have met are Carrie, when she visited La Quinta a few months ago, and Jamie, at IDEA World Convention last summer. I am so excited and can’t wait to meet the rest of the team!
A Few Disclosures
I mentioned my relationships with some of the products above. I believe in each and every one, and continue to use them in my training. This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, I will receive payment. Regarding the X2Performance, I will receive compensation as part of a sponsored campaign. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Questions:
Have you done a Ragnar Relay before? Any tips you would like to share? If you haven’t done one, would you like to?
That’s so exciting! I’d love to do one of these races at some point. I drove from Huntington to SD a couple of weeks ago… didn’t cross my mind to run it. LOL!
Haha! I have a friend who used to ride his bike many days from Encinitas to Newport Beach for work. And I though that was a little crazy.
Such amazing ladies you are running with Debbie!!! Can’t wait to see pics IG posts! I just got my X2 & can’t wait to try BUT I am on rest days till Sunday so I will try before my outside run!
I can’t wait to meet my team! Yeah, I’m sure there will be a lot of IG pics..mine X 12 🙂
This is a great post Debbie! I’m looking forward to meeting you next week. It’s going to be fun (although I’m scared witless).
I’m actually getting calmer now that I’m busily making lists and thinking about packing. It will be what it is, we’ll have fun, and I can’t wait!
What a great group! Have a ton of fun 🙂
Thanks! I can’t wait!!!
I’m learning from you! I’m doing my first ever relay in September. I’ve heard it’s like one big slumber party (in a van) with people who quickly become your new best friends. Oh and some running too! Get ready to have fun!
I look forward to hearing your story too! It’s handy that so many bloggers do these things because information is just a click away.
Lucky Debbie…And Hi for your all teammates.
Thanks! I’ll tell you how lucky I feel on Sunday morning :-p
Have a great time!! Pack some of those moist towelettes for a in a van “shower” haha. Pack extra shirts or clothes to change into after your run. At least you will feel cleaner.
I do have moist towelettes (lots of them!). I found a great list on a blog that looks pretty complete, so I’ll use that as a guideline.
OH THE GLOW!!!!!!
I covet the glow 🙂
and am cheering you on.
you never cease to amaze me.
Thanks 🙂 I love the glow.
I just put new batteries in my headlamp and thought I was prepared, but I’m nowhere near being ready. EEEEEKKKKK!!!!! I need to dig out my reflective vest, I think I still have it. OMG, so much to plan!! But, it’s going to be fun!!!
I bought batteries yesterday, will change them today. I have a couple extra headlamps I’m bringing along just in case. I found a pretty thorough list to make sure I have everything I need, so I think that will help.
EXCITING!!! I am so so so excited to be coming to cali too! Last time I was there was in 1980! Sooooo this Ragnar thing is super exciting! I am bringing my Halo Belt too (UPS tried to deliver yesterday…so I think it is here. I am runner 12. I was runner 5, but our team needed to switch around due to an injury so I am so excited to be bringing us home! What leg are you? We are starting at 6 am…you? Maybe I will see you racing by! I looked everywhere for knuckle lights…no can do. Dont think they are sold in Canada (lol). I have also been enjoying the ignite. Would love to try the gels. They do ship up here so an order may be in store for me! I am looking forward to meeting all of my team for the first time!! 🙂 have fun out there
I didn’t know you would be here! How exciting! I am also runner #12 🙂
We start at 6:45, so right around the same time. Our Van #2s will probably be at the #6 exchange around the same time. I’ll keep my eye out!
You and your UPS luck! LOL. Hopefully you’ll get it today. I love mine and think it will be great for this event. I got my Knuckle Lights on Amazon, not sure if they ship to Canada (I think the shipment came directly from Knuckle Lights, not Amazon). Maybe you could have them delivered down here. One of your teammates?
We’re the Dirrty Dozen..what is your team’s name?
Not sure there i enough time. I have a few lights from a nathan rep up here so With that an my halo belt (glad I am not the only one using it!!) I should be set. It snowing (we are in a really cold unseasonal patch right now) and so SNOWY I am so crabby and ready for some sun. Never ran there so hope it isnt TOO hot! lol I am on Team Tough Chik!!! Well i should have either a purple or blue sparkle skirt on…and a team tough chick singlet!! An I am loud. i so hope we can see each other! I have a loot exclamations…..my first big race outside canada…well i DID do a fab halfmara in Montana in 2013. But this one i epic. I am so excited to run along the water and be at zero sealevel…an nice break from the rockies for me. Might help my time. I am staying for a week. So will put in a long run after the relay too…I cannot WAIT!!!
You’ve had some pretty rough weather this winter! It looks like the weather is going to be in the low 60s with maybe a little rain. Wouldn’t you know, we have had any all winter and now it finally rains!
I hope we get a chance to meet! Not sure what I’m wearing yet (but I’m pretty sure it won’t be a sparkle skirt 🙂 ).
You’re going to have so much fun!!!! I hope the weather stays cool for you. Relays are the best!
You’ve done a few, haven’t you? You’re with the fast girls :-). Weather-wise, we may have some sprinkles and it looks like it will be cool (a little too cool for this desert rat).
You will have an amazing time! I captained 2 Ragnar teams last year for Napa Valley and will be captaining a team this September for the same race. It’s amazing if done right 🙂
I am really excited. You’re a pro at this! Any tips that I need to know?
Here are the recaps I did (had to break it down into 3 parts!):
http://sheenabean13.com/2013/09/25/ragnar-relay-napa-valley-pt-1/
http://sheenabean13.com/2013/10/09/ragnar-relay-napa-valley-pt-2/
http://sheenabean13.com/2013/11/06/ragnar-relay-napa-valley-pt-3/
Thanks Sheena!
Good luck chica! You are going to do great! What an awesome team! I love that halo belt. Really great idea!
Thanks Katie! I don’t know if we’ll do great, but I’m sure we’ll have a great time! The Halobelt is great. Comfortable too, which is really important for me (tight belts make me feel like I have to pee all the time..lol)
Sounds like such a fun challenge. You seem really prepared. I’m new to running, so I learned a lot from this post. I’m so overwhelmed by all the products out there and have no idea what would benefit me. I also feel like I’m not enough of an athlete yet to need some of the products I’ve read about. I’m really looking into completing a half in October, so I think it’s time to cut myself some slack and treat myself like an athlete. Thanks for introducing me to so e great products! Good luck with your race – I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time!
I’m doing Ragnar Cape Cod in May. Love the Halobelt!
I am in the process of putting a Cruiser team together for the Washington DC Ragnar in September and I can’t wait! I look forward to reading your posts to see what to expect.
I almost did a Ragnar relay, but it all fell apart before we could get signed up. I’d love to do it one day though, especially in a place I’ve never been before! I hope you have a great time…dropping by from SITS!
Debbie, may I ask what kind of foam roller you are using? I couldn’t tell based on the picture.
Thanks
Daniel
I got it from Power Systems. I think it is their brand. It is a small one, just 12 inches, but quite firm. I also have a foam ball made of the same material which is great to use standing against a wall for back, neck and shoulder issues.
Thanks Debbie 🙂