RAGNAR Take Aways....

I wasn't going to do a write up for this Ragnar.

I wasn't feeling motivated, or inspired.

We did it.

It's done....good job team.

But today I finally got down to loading our photos onto my computer

from our run, Christmas, and so forth....

I quickly realized 

there was no way I could pass up talking about my teammates.

They are way to AWESOME!!

I was a little jealous of Tina's Welcome home sign her boys made her.

Well guess what folks??

McCauley hooked me up right!!

Booooya!

Look at this relaxing scene....an open chair waiting for me 

to flop down on and get some well deserved R&R.

(Thanks M....love you a whole bunch.  Glad to be home.)

2013 RAGNAR Florida

Miami - Key West

Last Ragnar I am ever going to do.

It was great....but I am done with these fellas.

I am graduating to Tri's or mud racing or something.

Here are a few thoughts about each of my team mates this go round.

Van mates are really what make or break a Ragnar.

I am happy to say these guys made mine.

This is Sonia, she may be on the quite side, but she is one amazing

lady.  I have known her for several years now.

I have watched her transform into the strong woman she is now.

She is an inspiring person, an example of patience and endurance for me.

Thank you Sonia!!

She was also my sleep mate throughout the trip.

We faked it for several hours in the van together while a 

zillion hippies and freaks loud mouthed it out side.

We decided laying there had to do something for us....

right? 

Lance.

Way to go buddy!

For real.

You held your own as the only guy.

You surpassed my expectations for your 

FIRST RACE IN YOUR LIFE!

It was great to have you along.

I hope you keep running, and running.

I also want to say, THANKS for all the driving.

You were a trooper.

I am sure we can all recall 

what it was like having Tina drive in the dark....

So help us.

Speaking of T.

I am very proud of this lady.

For someone that can tolerate very little contact with sweat and

things that smell, namely other humans,

and canned chicken,

you did remarkably well.

I think you were sort of spoiled by Amy a little.....

but dang it, you earned it.

I was so stoked with how amazing you did on your long 

9 miler....

I felt so proud of you.

There are very few dull moments with you around.

Vanessa was a True Hero.

She rocked every run.

She is a Hero because she did this all while also sustaining a 

severe bout of debilitating "Runner's Trots".

She spent more time in the porta potty then our 

entire team combined.

In the end though, it turned out to be a good lesson for one of us.

Tina admitted that V changed her life for the better.

 She taught her the system she used to survive her extended bouts in the ports....

involving baby wipes and holding her

breath while using them.

Tina will never forget the lesson.

Another thing about V....she is ALWAYS good for a photo.

Anytime is a good time for a shot.

I never feel like a freak when I pose for pictures if 

Vanessa is with me.

She is a mega poser and game for just about anything....

especially muscle shots,

my personal fav.

This girl is no quitter.  

 Amy!

Whooohoooo!

My little sissy baby saved the day.

First, she and Lance flew out here with very short notice.

Very big surprise to me....did not think they would be 

able to swing it in a million years...

(thank you family back in Utah!!)

Second, she was handing out massages left and right.

She brought a smile and some sweet relief to several runners.....

not me, but several others... ; ) 

She made our masks,

(which we lost in the van....until we got home)

decorated our van,

and was a fine example of Paleo eating.

She provided a constant stream of ham wrapped 

carrots and almonds.

As well as full sticks of celery packed w/ almond butter.

She offered up spoonfuls of avocado, 

and other non dairy, non grain, non legume, non processed items.

The one thing I did not expect from Aim was her 

stanche unwillingness 

to bend her Paleo ways.

This is not the sister I know.

In the past she has always been a junk food junkie...

with me!

She can take in sugar until the cows come home.

Sooooooo, for me, 

eating four doughnuts alone was really 

a let down.

Eating the tops off the 6 sweet rolls by myself was a huge downer

with no one to enjoy them with.

Sure, I still did it.

But it wasn't really that satisfying w/out someone 

i.e. my sis to share it with.

In all honesty.

She literally blew my mind with her will power of steel.

She was doing hand stands against any unmoving object,

sit ups on a whim,

jumping jacks on the fly.....

who is this masked man??

No one I am familiar with,

but 

someone I could certainly get used to in a speedy fashion!

It's just that I thought I was the healthy one.  

Geeez.

Amy was true to her eating until exactly after her last run.

Then it was 

C - YA PALEO....wouldn't wanna be ya!

She was off the wagon....

to the point of me having to pry 

a burnt cookie out of her hand when we got home 

to our place after 11:00pm Sunday night.

Aim.....no, we are not going to do this,

I will save it in a baggie for you to enjoy in the morning.

(actually I ended up enjoying it myself).

You are looking amazing!

You are the powerhouse I remember from our youth!!

The "Brick".

I enjoyed my runs.

Two were night runs, not the greatest to enjoy the city scenery.

I really enjoyed my final run, 

(when I was not lost during the last 

mile and a half or so).

Felt strong and capable....

most of us reported feeling this way.

I enjoyed being runner number 12....bringing our team home.

The best parts of the Ragnar are always the times when your

van comes to find and support you.

It is a boost,

 and makes you feel rejuvenated and special.

I loved having this person in town.

Good bye Ragnar days.

They were good times.

Look what I was eating during this post.....

wrapped carrots.

Thank you Aim!

Here is a video Tina put together for us.

Enjoy!

It is a sweet little wrap up of our time,

plus you can see the rest of our Justice League team,

Van 1 - They ROCKED THE HOUSE.

ooops...

I spoke to soon, this post was too long.

I got desperate for CHOCOLATE!

Brownies are in the oven. 

I will never be Paleo......It is good I was not born in

Caveman time.