Need another runner (maybe 2)

One of our team members dropped out due to injury. I may be dropping out if my back doesn't get better in the next few days (I was rear-ended last Friday). Anybody following this blog interested in running? Runner #5 for sure and possibly #1.

Then we were one--Team that is!

T-minus 8.5 weeks. Run, Forest, Run. I've been having a hard time finding time to run between commuting to SLC and working 10-hr days and managing family, life, etc. But screw it. I did a 2+ mile city run while hanging at my friends house (first time running in SLC) and got pelted by gobstoper-sized hail in the process. Should have taken a pix of my welts, but it was a surreal moment. If I can run in that and not die, why can't we all buck up and kick some RAGNAR ASS!! 

Thanks to all that have stepped up and helped me manage the team and get runners recruited. It's a daunting prospect but as I told a good friend of mine (BB), it's a rewarding experience in the end. Thanks to Eric with the final vehicle and thanks to my little Sis for offering to volunteer. We still need one more volunteer to make us totally complete.

My life is in complete limbo with work and such, but I think we will still be in Hyrum before the race and I offer our quarters for rendezvous the day before to assemble gear, decorate vans, etc. and a place for everyone to crash. I still think a get-to-know bbq would be a good idea in the next few weeks. Now that we have 3 Cache Valley-ians, maybe Brooke or Josh could host a get together in Kaysville????  Or if all you SLC valley folks want to get out of the big city, you all could come up to Hyrum.

Comments, thoughts, ideas, ideals, rants, raves, etc. are all appreciated! Especially from the RAGNAR alumni. I'm only a one-timer so I'm sure there are lot's of things to consider. [why doesn't RAGNAR have recycling bins]

Good luck and good night.

Ahh Geez, anybody getting nervous??!!

Okay folks. We are getting close. Bottom line is to get in shape!

We have another WB alumni which certainly helps with the planning process.

My experience says bring the following:
--headlamp
--high energy snacks (gel-shots, nuts, fruits, etc.)
--try to minimize your gear to one large bag (sleeping bag, pad, tarp, extra clothes, etc.) and;
--one day bag that includes personal get-you-going (power gel, energy drinks, pain meds, allergy meds, nuts, fruits, etc.) items.
--On the RAGNAR website they have a list of other recommended items: http://www.ragnarrelay.com/public/race_documents/1277770803-checklist.pdf

RAGNAR requires us to have safety vests for night running. I have about 4 or 5, so we'll need to come up with a few more. These are basically the vests highway workers use. We'll also have to "rent" safety flags that we are required to have when we are supporting the people that are running. We can get those the morning of the run.  Each van is required to have them.

We have 3 confirmed new runners: Ben Brown, Scott Sudweeks, and Benny Brawand. We lost one person so that brings the total team to 11.

Everyone should have received an invitation from me from the RAGNAR website. You need to click the link and sign the waiver to be "official". If you didn't receive an invite or if you lost the link let me know and I'll resend. bkchard@comcast.net

Get running!

Facebook

Hey,

Been trying to get everyone to friend everyone on Facebook (you know--the be all, end all social site) but I might have missed a few. Also a couple folks I thought were going to be in are now out or have committed to other WB teams. SO, that being said, we need 3 runners folks. Call your kids, your kids friends, your workmates, etc. Let's have a team by 1 April.

New runners and information needed

Looks like the team is coming together! We have 3 new runners (one official) and a couple possibles. I think as the ski season winds down, good weather starts to permeate, we'll have this thing put together.  Please review the different legs and send me an email with your top 3 choices. Also, we will have to put in our average mi/min pace for running a 10k, so if you know, or think you know email me that info with your choices and I'll put together a little spreadsheet of possible matchups for the legs. Keep in mind that most everyone will have to run at all times of day (morning, mid-day, nighttime), so heat and/or cold can factor in. I'll post a blog a bit later of must-haves for each person (from my experience).

Keep up the good spirits and keep running!

Updates, etc.

Howdy all! Just a quick update:

• We have one official (six total) new team member and one verbal confirmation and several hummer and hawwers. I know it seems a long way off, but I'd like to get commitments out of those that are straddling the fence so we can pull the team together and start talking about who is going to do each particular leg.
• We have one van committed and at least one volunteer. We need two vans and 3 volunteers total, so if you know of anyone that has a six-plus passenger van or SUV that would be willing to loan or rent it let me know.
• Last year we had a dedicated driver for each van, but it seemed overkill as obviously the people not running could drive. So unless I hear a good arguement otherwise, I don't think we need to worry about drivers.
• I know there were some issues with the links, but I checked them tonight and they seem to be working. I would recommend checking them out and email me if you have any questions about anything.

Peace out.

Welcome to the River Ratz team page

Hi all! Time to start training for the 2011 RAGNAR Wasatch Back. The relay race starts in Logan and travels along the back of the Wasatch Mountains for 188 miles before ending somewhere in Park City. Last year the team I was on did it in around 32 hours, but we can beat that time!

This blogspot site is to keep up on the latest happenings and see who's on the team and to find pertinent links to important information for the race. Future posts will have advice, updated information, and just a way to stay connected.

As of now there are 5 committed runners (i.e. their spots are paid for) and I know of at least 5 more folks that are seriously interested. I'll start sending emails to the folks that expressed interest last year, but if you know someone that is interested let me know.

This blogspot will also help our team keep track of basic information -- runner assignments, to-do's as the race gets closer, etc. I will be relying on email for most of the communication to make sure everyone knows what's going on. In terms of committing to the team here are few stipulations that seem fair considering this is indeed a team event:

• Your $90 registration holds your spot on the team, and is non-refundable. So please be sure before you commit!
• If you do have to back out, it's ultimately your responsibility to find your replacement so the team can still participate in the race. You're more than welcome to see if anyone on the team knows people who might be interested, but please don't back out and leave everyone else scrambling to fill your spot.
• Whether or not your replacement pays you $90 is between the two of you... there won't be any official costs for substituting runners until next May when the race is much closer.

Please comment on this post or email me if you have any questions, concerns, or general statements, ideas, etc. I'll do my best to keep everyone up to date and answer what questions you might have in future posts.
Good luck, and get running!