September '09
The Screaming Geckos &
The 200M Ragnar Relay Race (Cumberland, MD, to Washington, DC)

Ragnar sponsors many relay races around the country. But, it was Margarita Jeannie who put the buzz in "g's" ear about the 200M Ragnar Relay Race from Cumberland, MD, to DC. You see, she was planning to form a 12-person women's team primarily for the Finisher's Medal - a diamond studded, bright orange, rectangular medallion that doubled as one heck of a cool bottle opener.

After running 3 consecutive 200M Reach the Beach Relay Races in NH, the 'ol boy was up for a change. So... long before "g" announced his interest to captain a 6-person ultra team to run the Ragnar, he primed the psychological pump to enlist the likes of:

UltraHat The little boy who unexpectedly grew into an ultra runner... kicking and screaming and puking the whole damn way!

MountainHammer The dapper military officer who abruptly learned the value of carbohydrates when he unexpectedly ran the mountainous Hero Leg for the Screaming Geckos!

Mr. Extreme The man who only hears one thing: Never stop moving... Never stop moving... Never stop...

And, then it happened... "g" made it formal...
his Ragnar recruitment e-announcement hit the WWW:

            Margarita Jeannie turned me on to Ragnar Relay Races. They occur all over the country. Having run Reach the Beach Relay Race in NH for 3 years I'm ready for a NEW challenge!  

           I'm putting together a 6-person ultra team to run the Ragnar Relay Race from Cumberland, MD to Washington , DC . It'll be a blast! (Warren...) don't become overwhelmed by the term ULTRA Team; I'll explain shortly.

 THE BARE (foot) FACTS:  

1)      Check-out the Ragnar web site: 

http://www.ragnarrelay.com/dc/registration.php  

2)      This Ragnar Relay Race is 183 miles long and begins in Cumberland , MD , and finishes in Washington , DC. Race Date: Friday September 25 through Saturday September 26^th. We'll run on a stretch of the C & O Canal that snakes along the Potomac River (like the JFK 50) and we'll finish at RFK Stadium in DC. It sounds like a beautiful course with rolling country hills along Maryland's southern border.

3)      Last year there were 109 teams who finished; 5 were Ultra Teams: 

a.       Men's Ultra Team 1: 23:07:37

b.      Men's Ultra Team 2: 28:07:34

c.       Ultra Mixed 1: 26: 11:48

d.      Ultra Mixed 2: 27:58:56

e.       Ultra Mixed 3: 33:26:51 (OUR TIME TO BEAT!)

4)      I spoke with Margarita Jeannie who lives in VA. She's putting together a 12-person women's team. We reviewed the course and it doesn't look nearly as hilly/challenging as the RTB - although, there's two doozie-legs.

Overview of Race Weekend: 

a.       This will be a four day adventure;

b.      I expect to travel to MD in two race vehicles;

c.       We'll leave for MD on Thursday September 24th at 8:00 AM (unofficial travel time: ~7-hrs);

d.      We'll spend Thursday night at a hotel in Cumberland , MD ;

e.        We'll run the race on Friday and Saturday;

f.        After the race (Saturday), we'll spend the night at my brother's home and party with his wife's team - The Victory Vixens!; and,

g.       We'll return home on Sunday, September 26th.

5)      Ultra Teams: 6-person ultra teams are preferred; teams of 4-6 runners are accepted with approval from the Race Committee. The average team pace must be faster then an 11-minute per mile pace; an exception could be allowed. Ultra-team runners will run 2 consecutive legs (36 total race legs), 3 times. The original running order must be maintained over the course of the race. Runners who drop out can have their remaining legs run by anyone registered on the team. Each runner will probably run 30 +/- miles total. There are the usual requirements for reflective vests, headlamps and blinky lights for all to wear between 6PM and 6AM . (I'm so excited!

6) Costs (Approximate): 

I Will:

It's my intention to reserve hotel accommodations, purchase food/drinks for the race (with your input), and provide you with the initial details for the race. I will provide (upon request) a training schedule to prepare to run 10-12 miles, three times over the course of the race. In true Relay Race Tradition, van decorating, team T-shirts, etc., are a given!!!! J

            Please:  

1)      Call me if you have any thoughts or questions about joining the team.

2)      (Mr.Extreme) if you're planning to run the RTB this year, the Ragnar is scheduled for the following weekend.

3)      I understand the Ragnar is a huge commitment away from family and work, BUT... I promise you'll love the challenge and adventure!

4)      Let me know ASAP if you are at least interested in joining me.

5)      If you know of ANYONE who might be interested in joining us, please forward his/her phone number and e-mail address to me.

"g", Team Captain
 

Screaming Geckos
UltraRunning Relay team