Ragnar Relay Del Sol Uber Volunteer

My Saturday morning started EARLY. I arrived at exchange 30 in Fountain Hills for my SWAT (sweaty wet and tired) Ragnar position at 3:30am. The truck with our tents, tables, water containers arrived shortly after I got there and we were set up in no time.  Albert and I scoped out the gym for the sleeping area and rounded up the people already sleeping in the parking lot shooing them into the gym.   The time estimate showed our first runners to come through around 8:45 so I was surprised when I got a call that the first runner was on their way and if they arrived before 6:45am they needed to be held. Luckily they arrived at 6:56am and I didn't need to have the conversation they were too early and needed to be held for 2 hours.

Young Life held a fundraiser making pancakes and grilled cheese sandwiches and first chance I got I had awesome, hot buttery pancakes.

Besides the medics running out of gauze after treating all the blisters, the day went well and was uneventful.   My volunteers, as usual, were fantastic and I even had one that showed up early and worked a double shift.  Talk about an enthusiastic volunteer!  I saw a lot of runners that I knew but was so busy I couldn't talk long with them.  At the end of the day when the runners and vans had thinned I chatted more with people and got to talk with Sesame Street, who get my prize for best costumes.

The Count, Me and Oscar the Grouch

They pulled up playing the Sesame Street tune

The Sesame Street gang skipping happily along

Happy Running!

Volunteering for Ragnar Relay

It's almost Friturday (Friday running into Saturday) which means another Ragnar Relay!  I put together this page to pass on information to my volunteers for the next Ragnar.  Thanks so much for volunteering!   If you have questions, contact the manager who originally emailed you or feel free to comment or send me an email at cheinle at cox dot net.

What is Ragnar Relay?

Ragnar Relay is where 12 people run about 200 miles in about 24 hours.  Runner one starts on Friday morning and runs about six miles and hands off at the exchange to runner two.  Runner two runs about six miles and hands off to runner three.  Rinse and repeat.  When runner 12 finishes, he hands off to runner one again and it starts again.  Each runner runs three times anywhere from 12-24 total miles finishing sometime on Saturday ;ate morning or afternoon.

Florida Central 2010 Team Horny Toads

There are two vans, each holding 6 runners.  When van one is running, van two is resting. When van two is running, van one is resting. You got the picture.

The exception to the above is an ultra team.  An ultra team has six runners (or less) and runs two legs before handing off to the next runner.  All six runners may be in one vehicle or there may be two vehicles with three runners in each van.

The Exchange

We are working the exchange where the runners hand off to each other.  Some of the exchanges are on the side of the road with lots of dirt, no shade (during the day) and no light (at night). Some are in a parking lot at a church or shopping center. And some, the major exchanges, are at a school.  Our role at the exchange is to record each runner as they come in and their next runner goes out.  For each exchanges someone will be sitting in a chair about 200 feet ahead of the exchange and using a walkie talkie to call out the team number of the runner coming.  At the actual exchange is a clip board with all the team numbers and you mark off that the teams as they come in.

What's a Minor Exchange vs a Major Exchange?

The major exchanges are where both vans show up. These are bigger areas with bigger parking lots to handle all the vans and runners.  There is a medical tent at each of the major exchanges. Major exchanges are start, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and the finish line.

A minor exchange has only one van of runners and is often on the side of the road.  The parking area may be a local church, or school or in a dirt field.  Each exchange is different.  Minor exchanges are 2-5;7-11;13-17;19-23;25-29;31-35. 

Minor exchange at Del Sol

What happens if the next runner isn't at the exchange?

Sometimes a runner comes in and his team isn’t there.  The runner has to wait in the exchange area until his team shows up and then the next runner takes off.  Record the time when the runner takes off, not when he first came in. 

What will I be doing while volunteering?

Here’s a summary of the jobs you could do while volunteering.  Each exchange is a little different.
All exchanges

-calling out runners numbers as they come in about 200 yards before the exchange.  You’ll have a walkie talkie so you don’t have to lose your voice.

- you could be marking runner as they come in to the exchange

- directing traffic in/out of the parking area.  Watch out for runners and traffic.  Don’t stop regular oncoming traffic

- directing runners which way to go.  Sometimes runners come in from one direction and the outgoing runner needs to go another direction.  Your excellent flag wave abilities will come in handy.

-Why did the runner cross the road? To get to the other side where the exchange is,of course.  Sometimes the exchange is across the road and a volunteers job it to cross the runners back and forth.
-Keeping area clean of garbage and port-a-potties stocked with TP.  There are extra garbage bags and zip ties in the bin to help keep your area tidy. At the end of the shift set all the garbage bags together and someone will pick up the bags.
Major Exchanges

-If your shift one you will help set up the entire exchange. This includes setting up first aid stations, water stations, making hooking up the generator for the coffee and hot chocolate station. If you're shift one, you probably won't see runners coming through until the very end of your shift.
-If you're working the start line you may be assigned to check in area which could be checking safety gear, handing out flags, or handing out goody packets and shirts.
-Manage a peanut butter and jelly station or a smore's station
- Managing a sleeping area

-If you're working the finish line you could help with medals, food, exchanging t-shirts along with any of the other duties listed above.
-Pretty much whatever the exchange needs help with, you could be doing.
-If you're shift three you get to help take down the exchange.  

Three of my awesome volunteers at Del Sol

What to bring-

You'll be provided a reflective vest to wear during your shift. You'll also be given an orange Race Crew t-shirt to wear under your vest (it screams authority!) and the t-shirt is yours to keep.  There is a bin full of stuff you may need during your shift (flashlights, batteries, pens, clip board, etc)

Chair – if you’re at a minor exchange on shift  #1 you may be sitting for a while before the first runner comes in.  You may wait a little while before the second runner comes in and then the flood gate of runners open and you’ll wonder if you’ll ever see the chair again.   For the second shift people, it’s opposite.  You’ll look at the chair with envy but won’t get to sit until the end of the shift when the runners come in less frequently.

Rain Gear/umbrella - if you look outside and say "Tut Tut looks like rain", you are either related to Christopher Robin or you need to bring rain gear.  Mother nature wins out regardless if there is a race going on or not.  We run through all weather.

Clothing - Bring comfy closed toe shoes and dress in layers.  Many shifts go from evening to day or visa versa.  It may be warm one minute and cold the next.  If you think it'll be really cold (especially if your shift is at night) bring gloves and a hat too.


Food - Ragnar provides water for the volunteers (the runners have their own). There is also a granola bar but that’s not really considered food.  In Napa I had volunteers bring a fold up table, chairs and a whole picnic lunch assortment of food for themselves (and offered me some too J 


Friends and family - If you have a friend that wants to join in the fun bring them.  We'd love to have their help and if we have extra shirts we'll give them a shirt too.  If you want to bring children check first with your manager.   With a 5-6 hour shift, a child may get bored and you will be too busy to watch him/her.


Decorations- Bring decorations! Costumes! Noise Makers!  Have fun!!!!  Each volunteer at the most spirited/decorated exchange shift will receive a $25 credit for Ragnar Merchandise.

Other - There are port-a-potties at the exchange and they usually have hand sanitizer in them but if I were you, I’d be ultra prepared and bring hand sanitizer, baby wipes if you have them (there’s no running water) and toilet paper (just in case). There's nothing worse than being stranded on the bowl without a roll.  Your manager has extra rolls with them in their vehicle; call and let them know you're out).  

Day shift  – Bring shade if you have it.  Unless you’re lucky and there is a tree nearby, there most likely won’t be shade.  Also bring sunscreen, bug spray and a hat.

Night shift – if you have a headlamp please bring it.  Ragnar provides flashlights but I love the hands free freedom of using a headlamp.  It’s a good idea to bring bug spray.  

What happens if you can't make it?
You are an important part of the team and if you don't show up, your team can be disqualified.  If you can't make it, let your team captain know and they need to find a replacement for you. 


Can I bring my cute, adorable dog?
FiFi (or Brutus) may be great with people but it's best to leave him/her home with the bone. 


Night Running

Your manager will tell you what the night-time hours are. During night time hours the runners must wear a reflective vest, headlamp and butt light.  All other participants (running or not) must wear a reflective vest.  During night time hours you'll need to remind people to wear their safety gear and send them back to their vehicle to get it.

typical night runner attire

What's up with the costumes?

It's not a requirement but is a lot of fun to dress up in a costume and you can win the most spirited exchange.  The Wine-O volunteers have come out for the Del Sol (Arizona) race for years and leave hoarse but get the most spirited exchange prize. 

What do I look like?

If you were sent here to the site by Christina(me) you are one of my volunteers and are probably wondering how will you know who I am?  Here's what I'll be wearing (minus the tutu)  during the day.  If it's dark out then I have a Medusa light up hair thingy. 

Del Sol Ragnar

Napa Ragnar

Thanks again for volunteering. Without you the race couldn't be successful. 

Napa Ragnar SWAT Volunteer

Whew. I'm home from an awesome weekend of volunteering for Ragnar Relay in Napa, California. Over the weekend I cheered on runners, fought with street cones, called 911 and eaten my fair share off M&M's all on almost no sleep. I've slept so little in the last three days I feel like I have a hangover and I didn't even have a glass of wine while I was out there but I'm certainly having one now.

An odd tree in the middle of vineyards with a flag on it

There are so many things to say about the experience I'm not sure where to start and organize my thoughts. This was my first time being on the traveling SWAT team and course manager and I know I can do better next time. It's not that I necessarily did anything specifically wrong (that I know of) but the perfectionist in me wants to be better.

Next time I SWAT (which is in October at Vegas) I'll take two days off from work. Because of the short notice for work, I asked to work remotely on Thursday to minimize my time off and hopefully keeps me on my boss's good side. What I didn't realize is after Thursday mornings training the team would set up the start line.  So while they drove to the start line in San Francisco, I went back to the hotel room to work. Even though I got a lot done ( maybe even more work than if I were actually in the office) I felt like since Ragnar brought me out there, I should have helped set up the start too.

Being my first time as course manager, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. The "day" started at 10:30pm on Friday night. I showed up early to try and sleep in the van because I couldn't sleep in the hotel.  I followed lead foot Janessa as they started/stopped putting up directional and the favorite "Mile to Go" signs. They really did all the work putting out the cones and signs but I did help put cones together and consistently put the bases on the cones backwards. When I was taking down the course and fighting getting the cones and bases separated I realized the grove on the base center would match up with the cones base.

At 4am I starting meeting up with my volunteers. Volunteers are awesome and I made sure to thank them multiple times.  I had 3 or 4 volunteers per exchange and set them to work.  Two volunteers brought friends and I put them to work too.  I didn't have time to talk with the volunteers until the end when I spent time with them while waiting for the final runners to come through.  At one water station we were waiting for the last runner and when he came in we asked if he wanted us to dump the water on him, which he did.

I had three hours of sleep on my schedule from 10am-1pm but when that time came I was busy at an exchange and not tired so I kept working through it. I needed to drive through my exchanges a second time and pick up trash and talk with the volunteers. Had I taken a break I wouldn't have been at exchange 34 to help out a dehydrated runner.  Being SWAT we have special black shirts and a runner came to me and explained her teammate was throwing up, couldn't keep anything down and wasn't able to finish her last leg.  Luckily during SWAT training dehydration was discussed and he went over the symptoms so when I heard what was going on with the runner I called 911 immediately.  I explained to 911 what was going on and gave her my address, although she already knew where I was at. She asked for the van description and I explained it's a white van but the parking lot is full of white vans. Look for the person with the blue and orange wig I told her.  The firetruck and ambulance arrived promptly and after she threw up on the paramedics shoe, they whisked her away to the hospital where she would be given an IV.

Driving to each of the exchanges I was keeping pace with some of the teams and after 3 exchanges after talking to some of the same people, I asked them to take my picture.  This was the most scenic part of my course and the teams were taking pictures with the vineyards in the background.  It really was pretty out there.

As I mentioned, there are things I would do better next time.  When I was setting up the course I was very aware of how the runner would be coming in.  I wanted to make sure there were no obstacles for the runner coming in and out. One of the placements was great for the runner and looked great until there were people standing around and vans trying to park.  Next time I'll know to incorporate the crowd into the equation.  At another exchange the safety managers came by and put up orange cones with the orange tape and created a barrier.  Next time I'll use that trick to manage the crowd.  The final thing is when I see a runner walking back on the course I'll stop.  I realized hours later that I saw the dehydrated runner walking back towards two female runners on the course and although it was odd, I thought she had dropped something or knew the two runners and was going to run with them. Had I turned around I might have been able to help her sooner but she hadn't told her van mates she didn't feel well until she started throwing up.

After the runners passed through my exchanges I was supposed to pick up the signs and cones. Other Ragnar volunteers started picking up my exchanges and I felt guilty. In the corporate world you get help when you're failing and can't do the task. With Ragnar they were helping to get the task done and I'm truly thankful  for their help.

The last team on the course I pretty much followed for the last 3 exchanges. I would wait for them to get to a sign, hand them water, help them cross the road (dang those were busy roads) with the red flag, send them on their way, take down the sign, drive to the next sign, hand the runner water, get the sign, go to the exchange and cheer them on as they came in.  Rinse and repeat.

We started the task of unloading the vans, sorting all the equipment and loading the big truck. It took hours to get everything put away.  Afterwards we went to IHop for "dinner" and I got back to the hotel at 12:30pm on Sunday in which I promptly crashed after my shower.

While sorting out all the equipment the final team approached the finish line and everyone that was working, everyone that was there went to the finish line to cheer the team on. They probably had a bigger cheering section than the other finishing team. We hooted, hollered, yelled and cheered them on.  We  built a tunnel with our hands for them to run through.  I'm an emotional sap and teared up as the team came through the finish line. This final team represented all the accomplishments each of the 300+ teams did out there on the road starting on Friday morning, running through the day and night and into another day.

Job well done to everyone!

Happy Running!

SWAT'ing Napa

Two weeks ago I called Rae to tell her running Ragnar Napa was a no go.  I could volunteer and work SWAT (sweating, wet and tired) if she needed someone last minute. A week later I still hadn't canceled my vacation day at work because I hoped by some miraculous chance I could run the race.  First came an email and then a phone call, Rae had a last minute SWAT cancellation, could I work Napa?

I drove to the start line this morning to see Rae and the team off.  At the Golden Gate bridge toll booth the attendant asked me if there was an event today. I explained the race and pointed at the runner who just went by with their vest, headlamp and butt light.  That should have been me running on the Golden Gate but at least I can still participate in the awesomest relay.

The start ( I missed my teams runner in the pic) 

As an extra bonus my friend from high school (we ran track together) was in town and tackled the San Francisco hills to go to the race start. It had been 20+ years since I had seen him and it was great talking with him.

Almost forgot to get a picture. Had a stranger walking by snap a quick picture

My volunteer shift starts at 11:30pm tonight and goes until tomorrow night.  Maybe 9 or 10pm?  I'm course manager for 5 exchanges towards the end of the course. My job is to set up the exchanges, put up signs, train the volunteers, resolve issues and take down my section of the course. I bought a pair of gloves to keep my hands warm through the night and help with set up and take down. I have a van PACKED with cones, signs and bins for the exchanges. Anchored behind the drivers seat the metal plate separating me from the cargo blocks the rear mirror view yet I keep looking. Perhaps by the Sunday morning when I hand the truck back I will have figures out to use the side mirrors exclusively.

My Ragnar-Mobile

After unpacking this, how does everything fit back in later?

In February I worked SWAT for Del Sol and was an exchange manager; was on my feet running around for 14 hours straight. I'm excited to do course manager and love learning the behind the scenes of the race. The magnitude of planning and coordination is unbelievable.

Happy Running!

An Awesome Day

Watching the clock, I managed my way at work through the morning, waiting for the clock to show a time acceptable for me to start my early lunch.  The PF Changs Expo awaited me.  Finally I left the office and road the metro downtown and walked into the expo.  Expo's are about free stuff.  Fill out the card with the work email and enter a drawing, pick up samples and watch what others are doing.  I saw a guy walk up hand a card and receive a Power Balance pendant.  The wrist band, with the same technology as the pendant, are the latest craze.  I don't know if I believe in the electro-magnetic, radio waves, super strength, mumbo jumbo but I am curious.  Everytime I take their "strength" test I can't tell the difference so I listen to their spiel and walk away.  I learned these cards are handed out by the goody bags in registration and I zipped over there to get my own card and get my own pendant.  I'm pretty sure that the people in the Power Balance booth should have been doing a drawing and not flat handing out these $35 pendants but I wanted in on the deal before they figured that out.

My Free Stuff

I also got a Power Balance bracelet...for free from the PF Changs booth, 2 bags, 1 "backpack", bandana from Brooks, bars, cereal, bandaids and a fuzzy gecko from Geicho. All for just walking around.

My Purchases

I did my share to support the economy and help the vendors pay for their booth and bought a pair of Nike Lunar Glides 2, Nike Capris, throwaway sweats to wear at Boston and a lubricant spray.  I'm hoping the Trislide helps with the chafing since I'm not having luck with Aquafor and gave up long ago on Glide.

While I was wandering around I recognized a face and quickly put a name to the face....Frank Shorter!  Since he had just finished with the news crew, I asked if I could take a picture with him.  We found a lady to take our picture but she needed to take a picture of the Simpsons display first.  Frank was super nice and took a picture of her with the Simpsons and even made her lay upside down on the bench to get the picture.  She then asked if we wanted our picture with the Simpsons too, Frank, again being very nice, said no we don't want it with the Simpsons.  She took our picture and then asked if he was famous or something.  I laughed and said yes, he's famous.  Frank said non-chalantly something about the Olympics.  We exchanged a couple formalities...he had his hip replaced and can now run up to an hour at a time and he likes the canals.

I headed back to the office and showed everyone I could the picture. Non-runners couldn't understand why I was so gitty with excitement so I was limited to who I could show the picture to.

A couple hours of working and I got the text that the press passes were picked up and Sunday is on.  I get to ride on the press truck for the marathon.  I hope to be on the truck for the female marathons but I'll take anything.  I'm so excited I could pee my pants.  I may have to start wearing Depends because I'm so dang excited about Sunday.  It doesn't look like the interview with Kara is going to happen because her baby, Colt, is sick.

I sent in my money for Chicago Ragnar and proposed some team names.  Running Relays has some great suggestions for names like

Agony of De Feet

The Poor Unfortunate Soles

SWAT (Sweaty, Worn Out and Trapped in this Van)

R.O.U.S.’s – Runners Of Unusual Speed (if you like Princess Bride this one is awesome)

Worst Pace Scenario

Running Our Assets Off

Kiss My Asphalt

Gu’d To Go

Runs N Roses

Sleepless in Chicago

The fast and the Delirious

The Postfontaines

Elvis Has Left The Van

Kenyan Albino Running Team

So You Think You Can Run?

Law and Odor

Pimp My Stride

This Isn’t A 10k?

Your Pace or Mine? 

On my way home Rae from Ragnar called me and said I was IN for the SWAT team at Del Sol.  I thought I had told her I wanted to volunteer as SWAT but I guess I didn't and I was worried there wasn't space.  Luckily there's an opening and I get to work Exchange 6 with Rae. Not only do I get to work the exchange,  I also get to set up the starting line and ride with Rae through the night handing out stuff.  It'll be an exhausting night of fun.  I want to find a costume for the weekend.  I was thinking a bright blue wig with orange and blue socks to go along with Rae's costume.  Ideas of what to wear?  Where do I find funky socks and wigs?

Happy Running!