Ragnar Ontario Eh?

I consider myself a runner, but I don't know exactly when that started. Maybe sometime in late college? I always denied it up until some point, but there was undefined moment where running stopped being a chore, something I did to be more in shape and became enjoyable, social, and even a culture to me.

In residency running was solitary. No routes. No mileage. No time. No heart rate monitor. No watch. I ran once a week for zen. These runs had no rules. I ran for as long as I felt like and then stopped. Sometimes abruptly walking, cabbing, or having a friend drive me home.

Since I have moved to DC I have rediscovered running as a community and a family. Nothing highlights this more than my experience at Ragnar Ontario. 

I can't say enough positive things about my team, the scenery, the excitement that was ever present during our 22 hours, the comradery with other teams, and the finish line (Niagra Falls is magnificent and it was the perfect day).

So this post is for me so I can re-read and re-celebrate all of the wonderful things that happened in such a short trip. 

1. We were introduced to Beef on Weck (a la Charlie the Butcher, Buffalo, NY) and we got Kinder Eggs (now illegal in the US). Wow is Beef on Weck good. If you find yourself at Charlie the Butcher, no choice you make will be wrong! I suggest the above and the grilled asparagus.  If you are one of those people that got Kinder Eggs banned from the US (Choco Treasure or whatever those lame-O replacements are are not the same). I don't like you very much.

Post dinner portrait

Could this much excitement be wrong?

2. I got to decorate a van. The markers are OK. I suggest the crayons. What fun! I keep threatening to decorate my car just to ride around town.  In addition to the pure joy of decorating, I can't begin to tell you how excited I was when I saw our van or any of the other vans that were decorated for the occasion.

22 hours of comfort and a nice place to rest. 

3. I ran hard and it felt really good! I don't do that very often anymore and I forgot the rush.

My first handoff

4. I now own a red sparkle skirt and had a reason to wear a red bandana and a temporary tattoo (that turned out to have big staying power of about 10 showers and some super scrubbing).

Ragnar Maple Leaf Style

Van 1 Ladies

5. We watched the sun set over Lake Ontario. Sunsets will never get old or less wonderful. 

Best Purchase of the trip: the $1 bubble wand

 6. I will never lose my love of bubbles, nor will anyone else.

Bubbles = Joy

7. I never thought sleeping on command would be so valuable in normal life (Thanks Residency!)

Glow gear isn't wrong

8. We watched the sun rise over Lake Ontario. Sunrises will also never lose their beauty. What a perfect beginning to a great day!

This is what I saw when I looked left for my third and final leg (3.5miles)

9. We got to cheer with abandon. Especially at the big exchanges where all twelve us where in the same place during the handoff.

10. We got to compete happily with other teams. Thank you Take it Wheezy and Chariots for Hire :)

The finish line from my room

11. We got to play in the Falls

Maid of the Mist

Border dorks

Cave of the Winds

12. I made new friends and got to spend time some amazing and wonderful people that I now know even better. 

I absolutely cannot wait to do another! 

Results:

we finished 2nd in the Mixed Division and finished tied for 5th overall!!

Overall - 1st:  Black Lungs in 20:20 (men's open 1st place)

Overall - 2nd:  24 Foot Rocket in 21:12 (men's open 2nd place)

Overall - 3rd:  Take it Wheezey in 22:02 (mixed corporate division 1st place)

Overall - 4th:  PostFontaine in 22:10 (mixed/open 1st place)

Overall - T5th:  Run Loves Elite in 22:16 (mixed/open 2nd place)

Overall - T5th:  12RBC en feu jusqu'a la fin in 22:16 (Ultra 1st place)

Sunday Night Fireworks over the Falls