I was so lucky to be able to do Niagara Falls Ragnar again. Corrine Nelson (my amazing friend who organizes the teams I have been on for all of these races) was able to pull together a really fun group of runners to do this race. We had one runner from last year who was going to do it with 2 of her friends and then at the last minute she could not come. So, we found ourselves at the Toronto airport looking for a person we did not know except by a name so we did what they do in the movies- made a name sign: Lisa the Runner.
We found her and drove towards the start line and then we ate some of the BEST pasta I have ever had in my life! Carb loading at it's finest!
Here we are at the starting line at 6:00 am. This is half of our group. We had 7 people in our van because Sandy (third from the right) broke her collar bone about 6 weeks before the race while competing in an Ironman and was no longer to run her legs. But, since she had her ticket already she decided to come along and she ran a few miles here and there. She is fast and has amazing form!
My first leg was so picturesque!
During a Ragnar, you become really comfortable using port-a-potties and you discover they come in a variety of colors.
The only Mountie we met while in Canada.
My second leg was hot and almost entirely uphill but it started at this lovely old church that had actual lilacs in bloom- they smelled so good!
The Toronto skyline is quite beautiful!
I thought I had some pictures from the end of our third leg somewhere but alas these will have to do.
Corrine and I at the finish line.
These are all out of order but Corrine booked us a room at Great Wolf Lodge for the night the race ended. I did not mind climbing all of the steps to the top of the water slides even with sore legs because they were so fun!
There are those amazing falls!
At the end of our first leg!
The whole team after the race, enjoying some more amazing food! In addition to the ladies below, van 2 had Kurt (our Canadian friend from last year), his friend Chris, Gerad (his wife ran the Luckenbach race with us), Lisa (the runner from the airport) and Pam (from DC). The boys ran the 6th runners legs and since they are super fast (under 5 minute miles) we were actually held back at a few of the exchanges.
Van 1 sporting our medals at the end of the race:
L to R: Suzi, Sandy, Stephanie Yost (known as Yost), Corrine, Me, Rhonda, Stephanie Elmer.
Ready for some sleep and fun!
We had a fun time exploring Niagara Falls on Sunday morning and early afternoon.
We hit up Wal-Mart before heading to the airport so that we could stock up on all of our Canadian candy and snack souvenirs.
We were literally running through the airport to make our flight. There was rain and an accident on the way to the airport and we left a bit late and we could not find a gas station (and went on a detour to find one that did not actually exist) which lead to the last minute arrival at the airport. We made it though and I was so glad to get home and see my family! I am so grateful for Peter who supports me in my crazy running antics! We are thinking of running the Washington DC race next year.
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