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2012 Ragnar Napa Valley

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Location:

Mesa,AZ,USA

Member Since:

May 12, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I started running again in 2007 after 14 years of not running.

Mile - 4:59 (high school 1992), 5:57 (9/21/2010 ARR Open Mile)

2 mile - 11:10 (high school 1992)

5k - 21:54 (11/18/2010 Tempe Road Runners 5k)

10k - 48:29 (5/9/2009 Race for Hospice)

Unofficial 10k - 47:11 (1/27/2011 Red Mountain Park)

1/2 marathon - 1:49:00 (4/4/2009 Havasu Half)

Marathon - 4:33:09 (11/21/2009 Mesquite Marathon)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Run a half marathon in under two hours.

Run a marathon in close to 4 hours.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Stay healthy long enough to live through the millenium.

Personal:

I am married and have six kids. 

Blog title explanation

Bloggers I've met in real life: 1MileToGo, Aaron Kennard, Andrea North, Arizona Desert Monsoon, auntieem, Bec, Ben, Benjamin, Bonnie, Camille, Cari, Collin Anderson, David Holt, DooneEight Kid Mom, Erico, Flatlander, Gary, Jake Krong, JamesW, Jose, Josse, Julieesplin, JunKelli, Kerri, KP, Kyle Dion, Lightitup, Little Bad Legs, Lybi, Marthon Dreamer, M, Mary Ann Schauerhamer, Misty, Nan, Peds Endo Doc, Rachelle, RADRhett, Riley Cook, Rossy, runningafterbabies, Sasha, Scott Hughes, Scott (Kelli's husband), Scott Wesemann, Slow Joe, Spencer Simpson, Stephen, Steve Piccolo, Susie, The Rookie, Toby, Tracy, Twinkies, TylerS, Walter

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 Lifetime Miles: 803.99
Asics Gel 3030 Lifetime Miles: 204.85
Saucony Hurricane 13 Lifetime Miles: 149.22
Asics Gel DS Trainer 17 Lifetime Miles: 87.49
Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 Lifetime Miles: 800.59
Brooks Ravenna 4 Lifetime Miles: 88.83
Mizuno X10 Trail Lifetime Miles: 180.06
Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 Lifetime Miles: 802.77
Asics Gel Kayano 21 Lifetime Miles: 56.47
Mizuno Wave Inspire 11 (blue) Lifetime Miles: 800.75
New Balance 1260v5 Lifetime Miles: 9.19
Reebok Floatride Lifetime Miles: 8.23
Race: 2012 Ragnar Napa Valley (15.85 Miles) 02:25:37
Total Distance
15.85

I love Ragnar.  Don't you?  Every race brings a new adventure and new friends.  But I must say.  When I first met some of these dudes for the first time, I was like "I just flew to San Francisco to run with these obnoxious loud mouths?"  Well, it turns out they were just drunk.  That's all.  They were a lot more fun once they sobered up.  Ay yi yi.

I was runner #2.  Runner #1 gets to run over the Golden Gate Bridge :(  Missed it by one leg!  But I did get to drive over it.  And that's pretty cool.  My first leg was 2.7 miles and mostly downhill.  My back had been bothering me all week.  I was really worried because I couldn't even bend over and touch my toes.  The hard motel bed didn't help much either.  But as I started running I found that I was able to put one foot in front of the other, and that's all it took.  I ran a 7:40 pace, but I was hoping for sub 7 if I wasn't hurt.

My next leg was 4.72 miles at night.  I felt great.  In fact, I thought I was cranking out some real fast miles.  But I wasn't.  Well, I did have a 200 foot hill to climb between mile 1 and mile 2, but still, I thought was flying.  I guess I don't remember what it's like to run fast.  Oh well.  I passed more people than those that passed me.

My last leg was right after the night legs end.  So I started without the night gear; reflective vest, headlamp, LED light.  After a mile my team caught up to me and said they got a text that the night hours were being extended due to the overcast.  So I threw the gear back on.  No biggy.  I was running through Napa Valley.  It was really pretty.  There was a vineyard at the foot of a hill.  A house was on top of the hill, and this hobbit hole was at the base of the hill exiting into the vineyard.  I'm sure it was connected to the house under the hill.  Pretty cool.  Anyway, I was running the best I could.  The hills were tough, but I was pushing through them.  I didn't get passed until 4.7 miles into my run.  That's about the time I started to crash and burn.  My legs were cramping up.  But I knew I could finish.  It was just time and pain.  Keep pushing through the pain, and it's only a matter of time.  I finally finished, and was glad to be done.  My legs are still sore as I write this report almost a week after running the race.  Would I run this race again?  I would if I was independently wealthy.  It was fun.

This is a picture of our team at the 2nd Major Exchange.  Everyone except JP who was running.

Alyssa, Jess, Jimmy, me, and Brian.  All the returning runners from So Cal who received the coveted Gold Rush Medal.

Here we are at the finish line.  Team 276 is My Number, so Pass Me Maybe.

What?  We were in San Francisco!  What do you expect?

Asics Gel 3030 Miles: 7.42Asics Gel DS Trainer 17 Miles: 8.43
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From The Quiet Pirate on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 11:08:00 from 152.26.230.60

Thank you for the chest shot. I was just thinking I wanted something to eat, and now I'll be able to go another few hours before I have my appetite back again.

Looks like you had fun- makes me want to try one of those Ragnars myself sometime.

From Burt on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 14:16:43 from 71.216.109.214

Did you notice my glittering areola? It's nail polish, not natural.

From SlowJoe on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 14:16:58 from 69.131.141.92

Nice going Burt, cool report and pictures. I think they should rename that race to the Burt Relays. Maybe after you do a few more.

For what it's worth, I can't touch my toes either and my back is fine.

From Burt on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 14:25:23 from 71.216.109.214

And for the record, I won't touch your toes. We clear on that?

From SlowJoe on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 14:29:06 from 69.131.141.92

Well I thought maybe just my socks and then I could kind of gauge your reaction and we'd go from there, but yeah, ok, yeah, don't touch my toes. That's what I was thinking too.

From Ericka on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 14:50:45 from 67.177.29.67

Nicely done. Sounds like good times. Your Ragnar symbol looks like it's illuminated!

From RAD on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 14:51:13 from 98.202.23.178

I'm surprised the hobbit didn't come out of his hole and chase you down! Especially with a chest like that :)

From Burt on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 16:04:32 from 71.216.109.214

Ericka - I'm lighting the night.

RAD - Hobbits don't necessarily have hairy chests. They have hairy feet. Like SlowJoe. That's why I won't touch them.

From Tara on Sat, Sep 22, 2012 at 21:15:51 from 75.169.138.143

That sounds like a very fun Ragnar! Good job, I always feel fast at night too. Good pics. I especially appreciate the chest shot.

From Burt on Sat, Sep 22, 2012 at 21:36:21 from 72.223.86.148

Tara - I knew you had an eye for the fine arts. You can thank my wife for shaving the Ragnar symbol in my chest.

From julieesplin on Sun, Sep 23, 2012 at 10:20:45 from 71.213.59.240

"It's just time and pain." I'm going to remember that. Looks like fun.

From Burt on Sun, Sep 23, 2012 at 10:40:31 from 72.223.86.148

Good luck at SGM Julie!

From Brent on Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 21:08:15 from 66.7.127.67

Burt - pretty darn kool, you are a kool dude, I guy at my work did the Napa also, sounds like a great time.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

From ACorn on Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 21:12:15 from 24.2.76.146

Fantastic pics! You're quite the Ragnar rebel.

From Burt on Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 10:39:19 from 71.216.109.214

Brent - I thought you were retired and living the sweet life.

ACorn - Thanks. Would you like to play tether ball some time?

RAD - I had a dream about hairy chested hobbits last night. Thanks.

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