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2015 Ragnar Del Sol

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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:

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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: 2015 Ragnar Del Sol (15.35 Miles) 02:41:11
Total Distance
15.35

Ragnar #20.  Wow.  That's a lot. 

I joined my old bishop's team which had many of the same runners as the 2012 Las Vegas Ragnar.  Last year's Del Sol race was such a disaster in my mind because of the bronchitis or pneumonia that I had, that I thought it would be a better idea to be on a team with people that aren't quite as fast and competitive.  No offense to any of them that read this.

It seems the team got finalized at the 11th hour.  I was beginning to wonder if it was even going to happen.  Our team name ended up being - We'll think of a team name later.  Which is kind of funny, but seriously, that was meant to be a placeholder until we actually thought of a team name.

My van consisted of me, two of bishops's sons, Bryan and Brandon, his daughter, Stacey, a young kid from the ward, Jason, maybe 15 or 16, and a guy that nobody had met until about 3 days before the race, Irving.  Irving ended up being our star runner.  Pretty fast guy, a bit of a strange duck, but he was cool.

I was runner #2.  I had the least amount of miles in my van.  And I was ok with that.  Truth be told, it was probably the easiest set of legs, too.  Again, no complaints coming from me.  Irving was runner #1.  His first leg was over 8 miles and mostly uphill.  I'm pretty sure he averaged around a 7:40 pace.  He handed off to me.  I had to run 5.53 miles all downhill.  I took it nice and easy.  It was tempting to run hard and see how fast I could go downhill, but I knew I had two more legs to run, and after 19 Ragnars, I think I've learned how to run them.  It was just after 7am, and the weather was beautiful.  I had to wear my night gear (reflective vest, headlamp, tail light) even though it wasn't dark out.  I actually had to wear the night gear for all three of my legs.  Small price to pay for not having to run in the heat.  I remember thinking that every Ragnar leg should be like this one.

Leg #2 was at 8pm.  I decided not to wear my hat because the sun was down.  I wish I had worn it because you can't feel the headlamp with it.  I was feeling great, but the further I got into the run, I realized I was starting to crash.  The distance was only 5.19 miles, and I think it might have gotten ugly if it was any more than that.

My last leg was 4.63 miles.  I started at quarter after 7, so the sun was up, but it was nice and cool.  This leg was all uphill.  It wasn't too bad because it was only 100 ft/mile as compared to Usery Pass which is 200/ft mile.  So I knew I would do all right if I kept a nice easy pace.  It's kind of nice just to go out and enjoy running instead of trying to go as fast as I can like I've done in the past.  I had a good time and enjoyed the company in my van.  Brandon hurt his ankle on his second leg, and Irving picked up his last run for him.  Our team finished somewhere between 34 and 35 hours.  I'm looking forward to next year, when I will do my 10th Del Sol relay.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 Miles: 15.35
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Bec on Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 12:40:23 from 70.115.197.197

Thanks for the pics. I still don't know how to download pics on this blog. Nice going on #20, that is a lot of Ragnars! Nice looking team, I like the name too.

From Burt on Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 14:16:55 from 71.223.34.108

Thanks, Bec! Sorry you can't post pictures to the blog. That makes me want to cry myself to sleep.

From rAtTLeTrAp on Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 21:39:21 from 172.56.32.1

Wow, 20 Ragnars! Have you done NWP?

From Burt on Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 21:51:22 from 71.223.34.108

Nope. Not yet. It looks difficult.

From rAtTLeTrAp on Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 21:55:51 from 172.56.32.1

I've only done Vegas and NWP, but I've heard a lot of people say NWP is te best one. It is very scenic and people really get into the crazy costumes and van decorations.

What's your favorite so far?

From flatlander on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 05:57:56 from 76.31.29.220

Great Ragnar report as usual. Looks like you have these down. And thanks for the pictures. Irving on the left? Or maybe on the right?

From Burt on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 08:12:47 from 71.223.34.108

Trap - I still like Del Sol the best. I love the desert. I love the course. There are prettier courses out there, Napa Valley, Wasatch, the ocean views of So Cal, but I just love Del Sol.

Flat - Irving is the third from the left.

From SlowJoe on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 08:20:42 from 12.182.148.249

Woah, 20! Nice work and good write up. Seems like people on your team are always getting hurt though. Hmm, what's the common denominator there...?

From Burt on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 08:31:27 from 71.223.34.108

Joe - the common denominator is a fat guy on the team that snores and belittles his teammates for not trying hard enough.

Flat - Also, Irving is in the first picture right in the middle, tucked in the back. He's waving to the camera with his number 20 bib on.

From Rhett on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 13:56:05 from 24.121.0.8

That's a ragged looking team...especially that guy on the end in blue. :)

From Burt on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 16:15:39 from 71.223.34.108

We can't all be The Beautiful People that live in Lake Havasu City.

From Tara on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 16:24:07 from 73.20.0.147

You are a Ragnar Ambassador! Literally, right?

From allie on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 16:45:07 from 73.207.133.226

do you mean your old bishop or your old bishop?

good job on DS#9. beware of #10...beware of #10.

From Burt on Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 20:26:55 from 71.223.34.108

Tara - yes, I literally am. I have the fancy jacket to prove it.

allie - my old bishop.

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