I think once you run Ragnar, you either have the bug for more or you dont! I do. Not entirely off of this race itself, but more of the expierence through the 36hrs with 5other stinky runners in our van.

Great River lived up to what I expected. There were a few things I wish were different. While you have legs your van could support you, some you dont. Yes there were water stations(well wait a minute, were there?), they were not clearly marked and honestly I didnt see the two that were on one of my legs. If you do run legs with little/no support. Bring your own hydration!!

With Great River changing over to Minnesota this year. I dont want to entirely list off the things I didnt like about the course. As that will be new and changing anyhow. My biggest issue running this summer was not having service on my phone. I know, I know. I sound silly. But being a small female, in a remote area I do not know, in the dark. Mentally knowing I could call for help if I needed it would have been great. I do like the fact they let those who ran night legs run with a partner if they wanted too. But again. It still leaves you with no way to look up your route, call the van or have them track you if you dont have cell service. Hopefully the new route will not have multiple legs with little to no service like the ones in WI!

As far as the expierence of the race. Its managed very well. But can have its hiccups. (Only a few port-a-pottys at a major exchange, made for extremely long bathroom lines.) But they do make up for it in other ways and offered smores to everyobe, with the candy bar of your liking!

If running at all hours of the day/night, taking short naps in a van with 5 other runners is your thing...then Ragnar is for you! While it was completely exhausting. It was so fun. Tested the limits of every one who ran including the veterans! We laughed, we cried, we ran a ridiculous amount on very little sleep. And then enjoyed beer and pizza after we crossed that finish line as a team.

The best part of Ragnar is knowing you cannot complete it on your own. You share that journey with your team and its a whole team effort to complete that 200ish miles!!

I will for sure run Ragnar Minnesota in 2019. I cant wait actually. Takes me outside my comfort zone, lets me enbrace all the ups and downs running has to offer and in the end I get the chance to spend time with other runners who are as crazy as I am about traveling by foot...one in front of the other! Its an experience thats for sure!

P.S. Always pack extra toilet paper 😉