May 02, 2012

Ragnar photo collage

Wow--first, I just have to say thank you so much for your kind thoughts and generous offers on my last blog post. I was feeling really down about the whole thing yesterday, and I even ate my feelings away through a partial jar of peanut butter--a bad habit that I would love to get rid of one day! I really do appreciate the offers to help me make it to Indy for the race, but I just wouldn't feel right accepting them.

As much as I love the race, and will miss not going this year, it will still be there next year. My heart just really isn't in it right now. It wasn't the race itself that I loved so much, but the whole atmosphere and spending time with my friends and family. It's one of the few times each year that I get to see my older brother and sister. But enough about that.

I was looking up other things for Jerry and I to do this weekend, but I haven't had much luck. Going to Traverse City, MI for wine tasting--sounds super fun, but the hotels that were offering deal for the wine tasting were booked. There is a Titanic exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn that I really want to go to, so I think we'll do that. Definitely not as fun as a weekend getaway, but it's something to do.

Besides, we have Key West to look forward to in January! Jerry and I never went on a honeymoon (or even a real vacation together), so we are both super excited for Key West. After I'm done with the Ragnar, we're going to stay three nights in Key West before coming home.

Speaking of the Ragnar, check out this collage of our team... isn't it amazing?!


I've already introduced Meredith, Mary, Jennifer, and Linda... and I will continue to share the stories of the rest of the team. The numbers on the collage represent the runner positions we hold. As Runner #1, I will start at the actual starting line in Miami; and I will share a van with the first six runners. Runners 7-12 will share Van #2. We each run three legs of the 200ish miles. I will start, and then pass off to Meredith, who will run her first leg and then pass off to Lealah, and so on.

Once we go through all 12 runners, we start over again with me. The start times in Miami are staggered, so the slowest teams start first, and the fastest teams start later in the day (this is to have all the teams finishing within a certain time period at the end). Our team pace will probably give us an early start, maybe 7:00 AM? So we are able to estimate the times that our legs will fall--my first one would be at 7:00 AM, my second leg would be at about 4:36 PM, and my third and final leg would be at about 6:35 AM. The accuracy of this is based on how well everyone estimated their pace. But I liked the first position because none of my legs will fall mid-day, when it's scorching hot outside ;)

My leg distances are: 5.7 miles, 8.8 miles, and 3.0 miles. When I did the Ragnar in 2010, I remember not being very happy when I did my second leg, because I was tired and it was the middle of the night. So I think that by getting my first two legs in before Friday evening has its advantages. I was in Van #2 last time, which gives you a much later start, and that means more tired for the later legs.

I'm just so excited and I wish January would get here sooner!



Some of my teammates were urging me to start using Twitter. I've avoided Twitter like the plague, because it seems so intimidating; and I don't have a smart phone, so I can't do updates unless I'm sitting with my laptop. But I've set it up so that when I publish a new post on my blog, it will "tweet" that on Twitter (I have no idea if I'm using that terminology correctly, so just humor me and go along with it). If you use Twitter and would prefer to be notified of updates that way, you can find me at: www.twitter.com/runsforcookies. I have no idea how often I will "tweet", but I'm trying to get the hang of it. It's so confusing!



40 comments:

  1. Love the collage! and I'm loving your intros of everyone - now I can't wait to read the next one!
    I love Traverse City - actually that whole area of Michigan is lovely! Have you been to Glen Arbor - home of the Cherry Republic and their famous Boomchucka cookies - AWESOME!
    Maybe you can still go to TC - just stay in a cheap motel - I'm sure you both could figure out how to have fun;) Oh well, whatever you do - ENJOY!

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    1. That's good to know! I've lived my entire life in Michigan, but I've never been to Traverse City. I've heard it's beautiful!

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    2. I've lived my whole life in the Midland area and JUST did Traverse City over St. Patty's Day. It is such a foodie town! We went to Amical and had my first TRUE fine dining. Thier Olive twists we to die for! Also the Bay Bread company has a loft upstairs you can see the water and hang out after snagging some yummy bread!
      We stayed at the Cherry Tree Inn.

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    3. I live in Midland ON and whenever I google for something here even if I put in Ontario I still get mostly your Midland! :-) Made me smile to read Midland in your post this morning.

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  2. I actually recognize some of those faces in that collage... not that I actually know them, just through blogs and websites and stuff. I would love to know how you all "met" each other and know each other.

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    1. That's actually how we "met"--through blogs ;) None of us had ever met in person, however. We all live spread across the U.S. I can't wait to meet them in person!

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  3. And I recognize the BL contestant! That is so awesome!!

    You won't regret the Titanic exhibit one bit. I've seen it in Philly and Denver. Philly was better, as it had the staircase. Denver did not.

    In August I'm hiding away in South Haven in a little cabin with my mother. Actually, I plan to hide on the beach, but that's just icing on this cake. I've earned a trip away and I need this time.

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  4. I've found that twitter gets less confusing if you ignore the newsfeed as a newb. If you focus on your own tweets and direct tweets that others send you, you can slowly learn the ropes without being swamped. After that you can look at the newsfeed if you want, and limiting who you follow to a manageable amount is very important! That being said, yeah I'm following you on twitter!

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  5. If the Titanic exhibit is the same one I went to see in Denver several years ago, it is very awesome. They had rooms set up that were accurate replicas of the various rooms, lots of artifacts, and just general cool stuff. Whatever you guys decide to do for yourselves this weekend, have a great time!

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  6. The Ragner Relay sounds so exciting!
    I recognize Ada from the BL, I loved her on the show so I'm anxious for when her story is posted here :)

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  7. mannas7momMay 02, 2012

    Aw, I'm so sorry that the Indy mini is not to be this year. Was wishing that I had a house to offer a place to stay, then saw that many others already offered. What great blog friends! If it's any consolation, the weather is supposed to be in the high 80s here on Sat., with high humidity. The organizers are putting their heat safety measures into gear.

    If somebody else is going to do the mini, can they collect your souvenirs for you at registration (since that part is nonrefundable)?

    Hope you have a great mini honeymoon instead!

    --Lise from Indy

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  8. Pardon my language but as I looked at those photos all I could say was, "holy shit". You all look amazing! It sounds like such a fun time.

    My hubby and I never did a honeymoon either. We want to do one someday on a beach somewhere.

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  9. I LOVE the collage!! Can't wait to read more stories! Even just looking at their photos is inspiring!

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  10. That collage is amazing!

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  11. I so enjoy getting to know the team. My only wish is to be there to cheer everyone on!
    I am so excited I scoters Garmin 405 on craigs list today. Super cheap thanks for motivation!

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  12. OMGosh! I didn't know that Ada was on your team! How fun :) I loved her during that season of BL! Very cool. Your team looks amazingly inspiring and cool!!! A great collage and a powerful team :)

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  13. I hear the Titanic exhibit is really cool. I guess you get a ticket when you get "on" and get to find out if you made it at the end. :) Good luck with that!
    Sorry you can't make it to Indy. Do you have a race in mind to replace it?

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  14. I want to go to that exhibit. I heard it was great! And like the post above I heard you get this ticket AND backstory and find out if you lived. The staircase is supposed to be beautiful and clothes and other items are supposed to be wonderful as well. :)

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  15. I love your collage!! It is so inspiring (sorry I know, every time someone says that you don't feel worthy but really) The relay sounds insane with the different times, taking so long but I know you can do anything you set your mind to. (:

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  16. I am originally from Fenton, Mi but live in Traverse City now and it's great especailly in the summer. I was in Dearborn on Saturday we took my son to "To The day out with Thomas" at Greenfield Village but we didn't make it to the museum :(

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  17. AnonymousMay 03, 2012

    You can post tweets via text message if that is easier :-)

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  18. I am so proud of everyone on your team. I stared at the collage foe like 5 minutes feeling so inspired! Looks like a great group of people, and what a wonderful thing to be a part of! I will be in Florida in January too, but in Orlando for the Goofy Challenge- 39.3 miles in 2 days! Yikes!! I also added you on Twitter, feel free to add me back if you like :) I usually tweet about my runs and little things that don't seem important enough for a blog entry! :)

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  19. OMG Ada is on your Ragnar team?! I don't know how I missed this detail in previous posts. Ada is one of my all time favorite Biggest Loser contestants. She is so awesome.

    We were just to Traverse City on Sunday! I live in Ludington, so the drive isn't too far for us. I went to the running store there and finally got fitted for shoes! Anyway, TC is gorgeous, and there's lots to do there. And the drive up is gorgeous as well.

    Hope you guys find something fun to do this weekend!

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  20. So funny I have been researching hotel options in Traverse City all week because we have a wedding there in June. The hotel where the wedding is being held was practically booked up so they doubled their rates!! $289.00 per night-yikes!! I called around though and found a much better deal. I have never been to Traverse City (I went to MSU-East Lansing) so I am excited to check out the area. I hear it is beautiful and there's a ton to do (hiking too) so maybe you can find a cheap hotel/motel. I got the best rate at a "nicer" hotel via the Days Inn, if you want to try that.

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  21. Oh my gosh, A) I don't like Twitter either, I'm Facebook all the way! B) I also don't have a smart phone, glad to know I'm not the only one, and C) My husband and I also never had a honeymoon, or a nice wedding because we eloped, so I am so excited for you that you guys are going to take that trip together. I want to go next! :)

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  22. AnonymousMay 03, 2012

    Wow!!! I love this collage of before-after photos. You guys are real heroes!!!

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  23. Love the collage, awesome! :)

    I don't get Twitter either, sometimes I think about opening an account, but honestly I don't think anyone really cares that much about what I have to say lol

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  24. Um, Katie, I think the correct terminology is a twat, right? Oh, and my legs are #1) on the actual sun, #2) 2 am through alligator alley and #3) a return trip to the sun!

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  25. Twitter confuses me. I plan on staying away from that, I am afraid it will just add more confusion to my life. I am sure you will figure it out and it will become super easy. Have a great day!

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  26. Tammy/texzanMay 03, 2012

    Thanks for Introducing your Ragner Team Katie,, I am so excited for you guys to do the race and hear all about it,, I hope to do a relay of that magnitude someday,, I ahve done a smaller scale one,, and had a freaking riot. Thanks again

    Tammy

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  27. Key West is amazing and to have your first vacation with your husband there is great. It was where my husband and I had our very first vacation together. If you don't already have a place in mind I would whole heartedly recommend the Key West Harbor Inn. We go back to KW a lot and we stay at this place each and every time.

    http://keywestharborinn.com/

    My husband and I along with some friend have decided to do the Key West Ragnar in 2014. It is what I asked for my 40th birthday :) I am so looking forward to following each and every step of your process through this!

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  28. AnonymousMay 03, 2012

    Truly amazing and inspiring!!

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    1. Wow! Those are some amazing transformations! Looks like a great team. How fun to meet people from all over the country to run with. I remember Ada from BL...that was a good season and I remember her being a powerful runner. I really want to do Ragnar one of this years.

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  29. I'm glad you have found something else to do this weekend! Maybe not quite as awesome, but still pretty cool. We have a Titantic museum here and it's really cool.

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  30. I can hardly wait to 'meet' all the other Ragnar team mates. It is fun to read their inspiring stories.

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  31. Yall are an awesome group! I can't wait to read all about it!

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  32. That collage is one of the coolest things I have ever seen! People who lose weight have accomplished something that even money can't buy!

    I just went through the Titanic exhibit at Branson, MO. It was the one "touristy" thing we did there and I enjoyed it very much--for some reason that sinking ship remains intrigueing to us now even 100 years later! Enjoy!

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  33. Your story is inspiring and I love to read your posts about Michigan (I'm in Holland). Looking forward to hearing about the Ragnar. I lost 68 pounds almost 2 years ago and now run and watch what I eat to keep the weight off. 2 half marathons last year and a 25K one week from today . I have been thinking about the Ragnar for a couple months. Maybe next year..... Good luck to you and your team!!

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  34. I absolutely LOVE that collage, what inspirational pictures!!! And SO awesome to see you have Ada on there. I haven't seen the last couple of seasons of BL (no reason other than spending less time watching TV), but when she ran that marathon near the end of the season, and finished it in the time she did despite the issue she had (having to use the porta-potty)....well, anyway, she's one of the people who motivated me to run a full eventually (this October actually) because she PUSHED through like that, through the training, and the actual race.

    I'm sorry you're missing out on Indy, but totally get your reasons for not going (being more about the people you associate the race with).

    I too am doing a relay this year locally, and it's KIND of fashioned to be like the Ragnar Relay, but anyway, I signed up with 5 people because reading about you doing the relay sounded so fun!

    Therefore, I blame you if my 2 legs of running suck.... Okay, just kidding!!

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  35. Florida will be my 6th Ragnar - you will love it! I'll look for you!

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