Key West Time Warp

Okay so my last update came on Sunday after I realized I never sent it on Saturday when Van 1 completed their portion of the Ragnar. Here comes the final update on the race...sorry it is 5 days late...once I got in to Key West and done at the finish line...the laid back easy pace of Key West sucked me in to what one of the locals told me was called the "Key West Time Warp". Apparently that is an effect where you are so relaxed you literally lose all track of the day of the week. Fantastic!!! So here's the final wrap up of the race:

Saturday around 2:30pm I finished up the final leg for Van 1 and after some quick medical attention (which really just meant a bag of ice for my knee) we hopped in the van and headed to Key West to return the rental, check in to our hotels, and grab a shower and a bite to eat before Van 2 made it to the finish line. We got the call that Kelly (the anchor runner for Van 2) had hit the course and we headed to the Southernmost Hotel where the finish line was constructed. As Kelly raced down the street....the 11 remaining members joined with her to run through the finish line....some 35 hours and 10 minutes after Jay started it all! Here's a photo of Team MDAA at the finish line....those of us who are all showered and looking pretty were in Van 1 :) Sorry Van 2!

Ragnar has posted the final results on their webpage...you can go there and look if you like....but here's the quick and dirty on Team MDAA:

Total Distance Run: 190 miles (rounded b/c it was closer to 192)
Total Time Start to Finish: 35 hours and 10 minutes
Place in the Race: 277 out of 294 teams

Thanks so much for your support through this adventure!!! I will continue this blog for some time...not only to share the recap of this adventure (we are busy combing through pics and video so Jeff can put us together a great final video) but to share the details of my next adventure as well. That's right folks....I have 2 other big firsts scheduled for this year. I will unveil the next on on February 4th (4 months from the date it will occur).....keep checking back in the meantime to hear post-race stories and see pics and video!

Van 1 Done the Ragnar

I finished up our final run of the third leg of the Ragnar Keys race for Van 1 at 230 pm. It was not meant to be as dramatic as it ended up being :). My goal was to finish the 4.1 miles in 45 min and then my team could head the rest of the way south for Key West. I started out pretty good but around mile 1.4 I felt my knee pop and within a tenth of a mile I could feel pain radiating from my kneecap to my ankle. I was, however, determined to finish the leg. My teammates in the support van stopped many times to check on me. I just kept going though...thinking about all the people who believe in me and have donated to the team. I kept going (with bouts of walking) and finished in 50:59 min. Only 6 min over my goal! And then it was time for Van 2 to take over and bring us home to the finish line. Next update will be from Key West after the finish!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

And then there were 2

Mike and Robin rocked out their last legs! Its up to Lisa and I to bring it home for Van 1. After that its all Van 2's girlpower to finish strong for Team MDAA. I am hoping to finish my last 4.1 miles in 45 min or less. Here's hoping because I am definitely sore and sliced my toe open slightly on last night's run. It will all be worth it though at the finish line! Here goes nothing!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Van 1 - 4 Runners Remain

Can't believe I haven't updated since Van 1 got back on the job @ 845 AM. We had a brief "sleep" in a HS gym and then got up and at it again. Jay started us off with the worst of it...9.6 miles including the entire 7 mile bridge! But he killed it and Jeff cruised through his 5.4 miles looking strong. Mike is on his way and soon we will be into the last 12 miles! I will check in with you again when Robin is done. Thanks for your continued interest and support!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Van 1 Second Leg Done

so our long distances are out of the way! Lisa and I finished our collective 15 miles somewhere around 3 hours. I did my 7.8 miles in 1 hour 33 min...just 3 min over my goal. And with the dark and how stiff I felt...I'd say that's pretty good. We are bedding down for a few hours at a HS gym here in the keys. Van 2 is off and running (literally). We wish them well and look forward to our remaining leg of the race. The veterans tell me its the hardest....when it gets tough..I will think of you...my supporters and power through!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

On deck again

Mike finished up in the Everglades and Robin got us into the keys from the mainland. That's another 20 miles for a total of 33.8 so far for Van 2's second leg. It's up to Lisa and I to bring home the last 15 miles! I am hoping to be done before 2 AM. I took a little snooze during Robin's run and am feeling pretty awake...although a little bit stiff. I should loosen up a little into my run...either that or it will be a long 7.8 miles :). I should hit the course in about an hour and a half! See u all tomorrow! After midnight that is ;)

Oh and PS - I got another donation while Robin was running. I am now over $1700! Wow!!! Thanks!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Van 1 1/3 done 2nd Leg

Way to go Jay and Jeff who finished 14 miles in 2 1/2 hours! Mike is off running in the dark....either to the next exchange or from the gators! LOL. Good luck to him! We'll pick him back up after 8.2 miles.

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Van 2 First Leg Done

So after lunch and a brief "nap"....Van 1 met Kelly (runner 12) at the exchange and Jay was back on the job. He has a long 9.3 miles ahead of him as we approach sunset. The team is still feeling good...props to Kelly who ran the longest in leg 1 (8.8 miles) and looked fantastic at the finish. We are in to the longer distances now and with the sun going down we also have cooler temps. Two of our runners even have to run through the Everglades! Watch out for those gators Jeff and Mike!! So far the team has finished 51.7 miles in 9 hours. Only 130 miles to go!! Let's go Team MDAA!!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

WHILE I was running

I have sort of become the "fundraiser girl" since I raised over $1600 before we left for Florida. Its kind of a thing :). So we are sitting at lunch on our "break" between legs and Jay informs me that I received another donation WHILE I was running my first leg! Love it! Thanks to all my supporters!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Van 1 First Leg Done

I finished the last of the first set for Van 1 about 20 min ago. My distance was 4.2 miles in 43 minutes. Our half of the van finished our total 25.7 miles in 4 hours and 30 minutes. Everybody is feeling good after our first sections and we are looking forward to lunch now before its our turn again :). Thanks again for your continued support!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

On deck!!!

We have now finished with runners 3 and 4 and runner 5 (Lisa) is off on her first leg. Robin (#4) is SO fast! She finished her 4+ leg so quickly and was the first of us to come into the exchange looking like she had really been running! Go Robin!! I follow Lisa so I am probably about half an hour from the exchange! I am nervous and excited! Now if I could just get my hands to warm up! I thought this was Florida?! LOL. At least the sun is now up and it is getting warmer :). I will catch up with you after our last two runners (which means after I run).

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Van 1 - 2 runners down

So we are 2 runners deep....Mike (our 3rd runner is somewhere on his. 4.8 mile stretch. I am amazed @ our runner 2 (Jeff) who sent a text to our team captain WHILE he was running! Nice! Team pace so far is 9:45...let's go Team MDAA!

XOXO - Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Up and At Em

I landed safely in Miami last night and met up with my teammates from Van 1 for pasta dinner then back to the hotel for some good sleep. Of course that sleep did not last long...we are already dressed and headed for the start line. Our first runner, Jay, will take to the course in just more than an hour. Here we go!

XOXO, Jenn
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Details

Alright folks its almost time to lace up our running shoes and let the rubber hit the road! Its Ragnar Time!!

Our team will leave Miami Friday morning at 7AM....and run all through the day and night until we reach the finish line in Key West....sometime on Saturday. Here's a look at the course I am runner position number 6....you can click on each of the links there to show you the specifics of my legs of the race.

I will be sending updates to the blog through email from the course but the team is also doing some updating. You can track our progress and fun at any of these sites:

Here at Road to the Relay
The MDAA Photostream at Flickr
The MDAA Twitter page
My Facebook page if we are "friends" on FB
The Maryland Athletic Association's Facebook page - don't forget to "Like" it

Looking forward to updating all of you and telling you about the challenges, the victories, and the fun! Thanks for your continued interest and support!

42 Hours To Go

In just less than 2 days I will be joining my teammates at the starting line as our first runner (Jay) starts us off on our 191.1 mile adventure. This entry is to thank those of you who have supported me emotionally and financially through this journey. I am SO grateful to have people in my life who believe in me and who have shown that in word and deed. I am happy to say that at last reporting from our team captain, I had raised $1654.92!!! Thank you so much! I have not only met but exceeded all 3 of my fundraising goals and still had days to go before the race! I will definitely be adding those extra extensions to my hair (sorry pics are still to come) to show all of you how much I appreciate it! Words cannot describe my feelings...I plan to make all of you proud!

The Things I Do for a Cause

Anyone who knows me....knows that I don't do anything halfway....in fact....I usually go overboard with enthusiasm and excitement! It is just a part of who I am....and I get so much joy out of it :) This relay is no exception! Some might argue just the signing up and running of 16 miles is enough to meet that definition but as I am now only 4 days from the race....I am preparing mentally by doing some fun stuff! Yesterday I had my sister Kim place 10 red hair extensions in my hair. Why? Why? Why? You might be asking?

Why extensions? Well they are an easy way to draw attention to myself. Yes I want to draw attention to myself in the days leading up to the race....already this morning no fewer than 3 people have noticed and asked....and this could lead to people donating more to our cause :)

Why red? In looking at the American Cancer Society's website...their logo is 2 main colors - red and blue. Additionally they sell awareness wrist bands (these were sort of popularized by Lance Armstrong and his "LiveStrong" bracelet several years ago) in assorted colors and the red one they sell is supposed to stand for courage, hope, and strength. So red seemed like the color to choose :) It also stands out...going back to the attention thing :)

Why 10? That's an easy one. I had one put in for every $100 I raised for the race. And already this morning I get to put in #11! I still have 9 more in reserve in case I need them :) Will definitely post pictures of the hair later today!

Later this week I will post all the places where you can follow my team from the road and get a "look into the vans". Thanks again for your support and interest!