It was a year ago that a casual Facebook chat with a vet school classmate spawned the idea of creating a team for the Washington D.C. Ragnar Relay, a 200 mile race from Rocky Gap State Park in Cumberland, Maryland to National Harbor in D.C. We formed a team of 12, rented 2 passenger vans, packed tons of gear and food, and started the race at 6 am Friday morning. Our team conquered the mountainous terrain in thick fog and rain, with practically no sleep. Most of us ran up to 20 miles each (and some of us even more) including middle of the night runs. It was more of an adventure than a true race against other teams. Our motto was "Arrive Alive" and we did it! A true bucket list experience!!!
Welcome to Cumberland, Maryland.
What a quaint town to share our first team dinner.
Team Dinner location: the Baltimore Grill.
Van #1 Driver, Alex
Van 2 beauties.
Is this a race or book club?
Carb loading.
Eeeeek!
Double eeeek!
Decorating the vans....
Van 1 is up at 0'dark thirty.
Are we awake yet?
Dave's pre-run interview
At the VERY BEGINNING!!!!
GO DAVE!!!
And he's BAAAAACK!
Michele's pre-run interview
Pass off to Michele
King of the lake
Our pollo loco driver
And she survives.
Go Chellie!!!!!
The prize for Leg 3 stinks.
Chellie almost becomes road kill as she gets close to her exchange.
Chris gets ready while someone behind him does yoga
D'awwwww.... go Chris!!!
The dudes.
Chris survives his first leg!
Go William!!
Our van's decorations hold up in the rain... but not for long.
William keeps strong on those rolling hills.
He ignores us as we pass by.
And Williiam passes to Jenn... and Van 2 takes over!
And... they're out.
We try to rest in a local high school's gym. Hot and stinky!
Van 2 is in action!
Go Jenn!!!
Jen A passes to Melissa...
Mountains are no prob for this lady.
Yay Melissa!
Woohooo Lori!
Greg is the MAN.
Dave gets branded.
The rain goes away for a bit and we see a pretty sunset behind the high school.
Ready for our next legs.
Love ya Chellie!!!
Kelly brings it in!
Thanks to her trusy friend, her inhaler.
He didn't become road kill or bear food.
Speedy Gonzalez and Heidi
Wooohooooo!
That chicken sure is the touchy feely type.
That was a rough one, huh?
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Jenn with pacer TJ
You did it, girl!!!
Go William and Kelsey!
That chicken sure had the time of its life.
Now that chicken has just become vicious.
Van 1 arrives at finish line and waits for Van 2 to bring it home!
The big finish at National Harbor.
And here they come!!!
Get ready... a Navy Seal should always wear a chicken hat.
How do ya feel???
Dave and Michele
Lori
Kelly
Greg
Chris
Jenn
Chellie
CHICKEN LEGS!!!!
Celebratory beer
Aaaaah... it's over. When's the next one?