In retrospect....

Running the Ragnar with the Google Twelve team was a very memorable experience. It was a pleasure running with you, cheering with you, and getting to know you all. It is amazing what you can learn about a person after spending 24 hours together in a crowded mini-van ;)

Looking back on it, I can honestly say that despite the lack of sleep and muscle aches, that I would definitely do this again in the future. Here are a few of my favorite memories and lessons learned on this trip:

Running into downtown Bellingham along the waterfront was a great route! The sea-breeze at mile 6 was a life-saver after roasting in that afternoon sun.
Lesson: A cold shower can be an enjoyable experience...

Hanging out at exchange point 11 with both vans waiting on our commuting team-mate to beat the nasty rush-hour traffic. The team spirit prevailed and it felt good to be a part of this team.
Lesson: "Don't be evil" is a good motto to live by.

Running at midnight under the stars on a rural road was a unique experience. After electing to not use my I-pod on this leg, all I had with me were my thoughts and the sound of my feet hitting the pavement (oh, and an occasional semi-truck coming at me at 60 mph with it's bright lights on- yikes!).
Lesson: My first sighting of an "elite" runner was on this route. He passed me going so fast that I could have sworn he was on a bicycle at first. It was awe inspiring to watch him continue that 6-minute-mile pace into the distance and it made me realize for the first time that running a 6-minute-mile (even one of them!) is a goal that I would like to shoot for one day.

Seeing the finish line of my final leg (leg 30) off to a short distance to my right, then seeing a Ragnar sign pointing me to the LEFT (I could almost hear King Ragnar laughing), down a steep hill, around the corner and then coming face to face with a San-Francisco style uphill taunting me on to the finish line.

My most memorable experience though, I have to say, was having Min arrive unexpectedly to cheer me on as I crossed the finish line. She told me she wanted to be there with our baby to cross the finish line. I would have found the energy to sprint up that final hill had I known she was there at the end :)

-Joe