Ragnar 2010: One More Hill To Go

John and I were invited to Run on an all couples team for the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage Race through Washington this year. Skagit, Deception, Fidalgo, Whidbey. Unusual names, killer places to run. 187 miles of stunning Washington scenery. Starting in the seaside town of Blaine, then head south through farm country and along the coast, ultimately crossing over Deception Pass. The race (and your stamina) wraps up on the southern tip of Whidbey Island. (that was taken from the Ragnar Website) Our Team Name: One More Hill to Go. There were some funny names, some great costumes all of which were great entertainment. Everyone was cheering everyone on-it was fantastic.

There were 2 vans, 3 couples in each van-we were in the 2nd van starting around 2 pm in Bellingham. John started us off and in good form raising the bar for the rest of us...despite the hot weather.

Off & Runnin-Van #2: John, Mel, Travis, Holly, Carrie & Jim

This was a hard run for me, not prepared for the 85 degree weather we were running in. I handed off to Travis who made his Race Running Debut. What a trooper!

James to his wife Carrie-A true couple pass off

Carrie Ran through some beautiful Farm Country, As we stopped and waited you could hear the wind blowing through the wheat fields.

Passing back off to Ron of Van #1

We finished our first round around 5:30ish- we drove on to La Connor to Shower, find food and get a couple of hours sleep before beginning our 2nd legs which started around 11 pm. John had a hard run, 8 miles of big hills, but again he ran really well-impressing everyone with his time. I did a 4 mile run that I thoroughly enjoyed, despite the 2 am time.

We finished our 2nd legs around 5:30 am. Time to shower, eat and rest, again.

Van #1 showed up at 9 am and John was off again. It was a beautiful run, still hilly, but along the waterfront.

Holly is an amazing runner-she injured her IT band during her 2nd leg and still ran her 3rd leg-strong.

Another great leg for me-mostly in the shade but felt like I was running through the Mountains, and finished along the shoreline. Gorgeous!

We were required to hold these flags while crossing the street. James was waiting to give water to his wife. It was her and our teams last leg to the finish line.

Van #1

Peter & Stephanie Erickson

Ron & Macy Sorenson

The Deckers'

Van #2

Jim and Carrie

Holly & Travis Baird

Race Results:

Team: 197 One More Hill to Go

Category Place 18

Pace 10:36

Total Time: 32:00:23

Category: Mixed Sub Masters

Start Time: 7:00 AM

Runner	1st Leg	2nd Leg	3rd Leg	Total
1-Ron	6.2 miles | Hard	4.4 miles|Moderate	7.8 miles|Very Hard	18.4 miles
2-Bonnie	6.2 miles | Hard	3.5 miles | Easy	3.1 miles | Easy	12.8 miles
3-Steph	8.2 miles | Very Hard	3.5 miles | Easy	2.8 miles | Easy	14.5 miles
4-Macy	4.1 miles | Easy	4.1 miles | Easy	2.9 miles | Easy	11.1 miles
5-Decker	5.9 miles|Moderate	3.4 miles | Easy	6.5 miles | Hard	15.8 miles
6-Pete	5.9 miles|Moderate	5.6 miles | Moderate	5.5 miles | Hard	17 miles
7-John	5.8 miles|Hard (2 pm) 42 min	8.7 miles|V.Hard (11:14 pm) 63 min	6.3 miles | Hard (9:42 am) 45 min	20.8 miles
8-Holly	3.4 miles|Moderate	7.8 miles|Very Hard	6.3 miles | Hard	17.5 miles
9-Mel	6.1 miles|Hard 3 pm 54 min	4.2 miles|Mod (2:07 am) 37 min	6.8 miles|Very Hard (11:27 am) 60 min	17.1 miles
10-Travis	3.1 miles | Easy	2.7 miles | Easy	3.7miles|Moderate	9.5 miles
11-Jim	6.8 miles | Hard	6.3 miles|Very Hard	4.3 miles|Moderate	17.4miles
12-Carrie	7.0 miles | Hard	5.4 miles|Moderate	4.6 miles | Hard	17 miles