Alright everyone! I put together the runner assignments for the Ragnar. I hope everyone is happy :) If not, too bad. Ha not really. If you really are concerned, then let me know but I think I know where everyone is at and I know you can do it!

Here they are:
Runner 1: Donna
Runner 2: Jaba
Runner 3: Donald
Runner 4: Shannon
Runner 5: James
Runner 6: Katie/Bill
Runner 7: Lois
Runner 8: Kristin
Runner 9: Kevin
Runner 10: Megan
Runner 11: Steve
Runner 12: Scott
Check em out ... OH MY LEGS

There are a few more items that I need to discuss with all of you.

1st: I have not received money from Kristen, Steve, Donna, Jaba, and Katie/Bill (I know you may not have known Katie). {85$}

2nd: We need to have 3 volunteers for our team. These volunteers will help the Ragnar race with whatever they need. Here is some info:

When

Friday, February 26th or Saturday, February 27th

Where

Along the race course

Time Commitment

Shifts are 4-7 hours

Duties

Crowd Control

Course Direction

Exchange Point Mgnt

Time Keeping

Course Supervision

Perks

Race Official T-shirt

Race Packet

Access to all events

Volunteers must:

be at least 16 years old and have a valid drivers license

provide their own transportation to and from their assigned location

wear their official volunteer T-shirt while at their assigned location

be physically able to perform their assigned duties

be willing to fulfill any assigned volunteer time

be willing to fulfill their entire shift at an assigned location

This is important because if we don't get 3 volunteers by January 15th we MUST pay 120$ for each volunteer. Those are the rules. So we need to recruit. Volunteers can sign up online at the Ragnar website starting January 15th at 9am. The shifts are assigned first come first serve so if we get volunteers now they can sign up right away and have a better chance of doing what they want. Here is the link... Sign up volunteers!

3rd: We will need 2 vans or vehicles that support 6 runners and a driver comfortably with all of our gear. From doing this once before, I am going to suggest a 12-15 passenger van. Every runner is going to have luggage and we are going to need room for food, water, the ice chest, and to stretch out. SO my dad has offered his 15 passenger van but I'm not sure if that's going to be a sure thing yet. The other condition is, the vehicle is going to be making FREQUENT stops and idling for long periods of time and it would be a nightmare if the van broke down. We need 2 very reliable clean vehicles. I suggest we rent them and split the costs between the runners. But if you guys want to try and find vans to use that would be ok too. Rental is very convenient because you don't have to clean it or worry about the vehicle being reliable. PLUS we will be decorating the crap out of these cars so make sure who ever we ask to borrow from knows that. I put it to a vote.

4th: Hotels. We will be getting at least one hotel on the route so that we can get at least one shower and rest for a bit. I am going to ask that we all split the cost. It's not much that's why I ask. It's a Super 8 and I don't think we will pay more than 70 for the night. So split between 12 people, I think we can all handle that right? The question is do you guys want to get 2 hotels. There are 2 major down times for each van when you will have time to rest. At the exchange points there should be a grassy area to lay down blankets and rest. BUT, from experience, it's not really restful. And the 2nd down time is the time that will most likely be at night and I have no hotel planned for that area. This is my question. Would you like me to see if I can find a second hotel for that area? I'll tell you the problem it is in the Cave Creek/ Carefree area (kinda close to home but too far to come home to rest), I will have to do some more digging and maybe drive out there to find a hotel nearby because we are running through residential areas, not so big on hotels.

This is all the important stuff for now. I know it looks like a lot but it's not. I just really can't make all these decisions by myself, especially when it comes to money. Unless you want me to and I can tell you what you owe. :)

THANKS EVERYONE!

-Love- Shannon

The Mesa Turkey Trot

The Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning was so much fun! 7 of the FMX team came out and ran the 10K! I was so proud. It was a beautiful day. The race had a guy in a turkey suit, and they said he could run about a 45 minute 10K so the goal was to beat the turkey!!!
No one really thought they could except Donald and he really wanted to get that turkey.
And here are the results!

Donald: Well he ran hard but he never passed the turkey so he was a little bummed. But he still got one of his best times at 51:47. But WAIT! There were so many people (about 4000) at the race that Donald started in the rear of the runners and the turkey started in the front... Turns out, even though Donald didn't pass the turkey he beat his chiptime by 30 seconds. HE BEAT THE TURKEY!
Lois: 1:13:01
Megan: 1:16:26
Kevin: 1:06:31
Steve: 1:05:02
James: 1:15:56
Shannon: 1:29:36

I know we can all learn from this experience and train accordingly. Remember... the Ragnar is a bit like doing that 3 times in 24 hours :)

Don't stop! Next week we start training on HILLS! Yikes! I have been talking to some of you and I know you are ROCKING on your training!!! I'm so proud of you!

Don't forget!

This month we need everyone to do a 10K or if you are not feeling ready yet, a 5K. You pick where you want to do it and give us an update on your time and how you felt :) Then next month we need EVERYONE to run a flat surface 10K for your very best time. This is IMPORTANT because I have to record your times to Ragnar so that we can get an accurate starting time.

For anybody interested... We are going to do the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at Red Mountain Park in Mesa! We did it last year and it was really fun! They have a 10K, a 2mile fun run/walk, and a 1mile fun run/walk so everyone from the family can come out with their kids and have a part in it. Here is a link to get registered http://www.raceplaceevents.com/event.php?event=401002

But you if you want to avoid paying more the day of the race, you have to register online by November 17th.

2009 Las Vegas Ragnar

Donald and Scott ran in the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay this year. But they didn't just do a Ragnar they did a 6 man Ultra Team! HOW AWESOME! They both did GREAT! I don't know Scott's time. But Donald ran a total of 22 miles in 3 hrs and 22 minutes! I was so glad I got to go as a driver and learn the ropes of how the Ragnar works. I had SO much fun.

Scott starting out the race.

Donald cruisin up this really steep hill on the HOTTEST day.

Vegas Red Rocks in the Valley of Fire.


Night time exchange. Last run for Donald as Scott finishes his last run.

The Ultra Team.

Kendall, Donald, Scott, Brice, Nick, Jamie

From this experience I learned that... We CAN do this! And It is going to be FUN! But we have to train hard and not slack. The only thing that will make you have a bad time is if you are not ready. The main thing is that you have to be comfortable with running an hour at a time. Don't worry too much about speed at this point because we are not trying to break any records here. I just want everyone to realize that this race will take a lot of endurance. So when you train, work on lengthening your running times. Get comfortable running distances. REALLY comfortable. And February will be a piece of cake (sort of).

:)

Rim Country Challenge!

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Payson AZ. And 5 of our FMX team runners got out there to run the 5k or Half Marathon! It was so much fun! The weather was gorgeous. I think I can speak for everyone when I say... THAT RUN WAS HARD! It was no flat jog around the track! Especially for Donald. We were running hills. And for those of us who came up from Mesa it was 4000ft higher in elevation than we are used to. So we gasped for air as we ran our butts off! But I can say we all did SO good! I know I did the best I could do and I'm happy with that.
And now for the results!...

Donald: ran 13.3 miles. It was his first Half marathon and it was one of the hardest I've seen. We looked at his GPS tracker when we got home, at some of the hills he had to run. One of them was over 1/2 a mile at 13% grade. That's nuts. He still managed to run the whole thing and it only slowed his usual training pace down by a minute. He was waisted at the end. What an amazing athlete!

He placed 3rd in his division! (there were only 3 people)
HALF MARATHON - MALE AGE GROUP: 19-29

PLACE NO. NAME SEX AGE TIME PACE DIV CITY, ST
===== ==== ===================== === === ======= ===== ===== ======================
1 125 BRADFORD BROOKS M 29 1:32:18 7:03 M2029 ,
2 126 SHAWN ELLEDGE M 28 2:00:23 9:11 M2029 ,
3 124 DONALD WEIR M 27 2:12:48 10:08 M2029 MESA, AZ

Donald's triumphant FINISH!

His flushed face. ***psst. ask him about mile 9***

After the race, guess what we're still in love!!!

This man was Donald's inspiration all through out the race. If it wasn't for those little pink booty-shorts that passed him going up over this last hill I don't think he would have had the will to go on. (although I don't think Zayah thought much of them.)

Pink Booty-Shorts in all his glory.
Donna: ran the 5k in a competitive division, 9 people, and WON! WAY TO GO! Her pace time is almost at were it needs to be for our 10k minimum goal in January. So she is on her way :)

5K RUN - FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50-59

PLACE NO. NAME SEX AGE TIME PACE DIV CITY, ST
===== ==== ===================== === === ======= ===== ===== ======================
1 23 DONNA DARE F 58 34:31 11:07 F5559 ,
2 19 LINDA STARBUCK F 56 34:47 11:12 F5559 ,
3 18 MARIE MENNEN F 55 35:57 11:35 F5559 ,
4 22 SUSAN ZINN F 58 36:05 11:37 F5559 ,
5 20 LOIS DALY F 56 37:38 12:07 F5559 MESA, AZ
6 17 CAROL STEPHENS F 52 38:14 12:19 F5054 ,
7 21 ROMAINE BROPHY F 58 43:57 14:09 F5559 PAYSON, AZ
8 15 CANDACE CONTE F 50 43:57 14:09 F5054 PAYSON, AZ
9 24 PAMELA JANSSEN F 59 1:13:28 23:39 F5559 HEBER, AZ

1st Place Medal

Jaba: ran the 5k. I'm so glad he came out because even the day before he wasn't sure if he was going to come. And then he was talking all this smack about how he was probably going to walk the whole thing and be behind everyone... he waisted me! And he did so good! He totally didn't walk. Next time I think he will remember his running shoes, though. Cuz I think he hurt his shins...oops. Jaba is really close to the 11:00 pace 10k goal. A few more months of training and he'll be one of our best runners.

Look at that he placed 1st! (out of 1 ha ha)
5K RUN - MALE AGE GROUP: 19-29

PLACE NO. NAME SEX AGE TIME PACE DIV CITY, ST
===== ==== ===================== === === ======= ===== ===== ======================
1 34 JABA AUMUA M 26 36:35 11:47 M2029 MESA, AZ

Lois: ran the 5k. She did awesome! I know she was worried about a hurt back injury that happened about 2 weeks ago so she was taking it a little easy. And these hills were NOT taking it easy on her. But she is alive and well! And she got a GREAT time!
5K RUN - FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50-59

PLACE NO. NAME SEX AGE TIME PACE DIV CITY, ST
===== ==== ===================== === === ======= ===== ===== ======================
1 23 DONNA DARE F 58 34:31 11:07 F5559 ,
2 19 LINDA STARBUCK F 56 34:47 11:12 F5559 ,
3 18 MARIE MENNEN F 55 35:57 11:35 F5559 ,
4 22 SUSAN ZINN F 58 36:05 11:37 F5559 ,
5 20 LOIS DALY F 56 37:38 12:07 F5559 MESA, AZ
6 17 CAROL STEPHENS F 52 38:14 12:19 F5054 ,
7 21 ROMAINE BROPHY F 58 43:57 14:09 F5559 PAYSON, AZ
8 15 CANDACE CONTE F 50 43:57 14:09 F5054 PAYSON, AZ
9 24 PAMELA JANSSEN F 59 1:13:28 23:39 F5559 HEBER, AZ

Mom is a little camera shy i guess because I didn't get any pictures of just her :(

(And this is the best one I got, because this is all she did haha was worry about Kevin all day)

Shannon: ran the 5k. I did my personal best and I'm actually happy about that. Even though it's super slow and I thought I could run faster. The last 5k I ran I ran slower so I improved. And I ran as much as I possibly could. I'm going to keep training and do the best I can always, and I WILL get down to 11:00 10k :)

Plus I placed 3rd in my division (ha out of 3, but I got a medal)
5K RUN - FEMALE AGE GROUP: 19-29

PLACE NO. NAME SEX AGE TIME PACE DIV CITY, ST
===== ==== ===================== === === ======= ===== ===== ======================
1 33 FRAN MAGRI F 25 21:47 7:01 F2029 ROCHESTER, NY
2 7 LALAINE BYRD F 27 31:59 10:18 F2529 GILBERT, AZ
3 6 SHANNON WEIR F 27 44:27 14:19 F2529 MESA, AZ

I know it looks like I'm walking but right before this picture was taken I was running at top speed across the finish line... Haha NO just kidding. But I didn't walk.

The Best NUMBER 1 FAN!

Here's the 5kers in their places after the race :)

We missed everyone who couldn't make it out to the race! But don't worry, we are doing a 10k next month! And I know everyone will try to come to that :) I'm sorry Megan that your back was hurt because I know you really wanted to come, registered and all. I hope you feel better soon!

I DID IT!

I took the plunge! WE ARE IN OFFICIALLY! We are Team 076 "FMX" Ha ha Yesss. So... Remember that training chart I gave to you a month and a half ago? Well if you have been trying to start training and falling off the wagon a little here and there, or if you have been procrastinating starting to train because you think there is plenty of time.... well

NEWS FLASH!

You have no more time to take it easy. It's time to get serious. You now have only 4 months to get in shape for this race. And before you know it February will be here! If you're like me, and you need to feel the pressure, you now have to treat your training as if the Ragnar is next week. A good way to do this is to be working towards smaller but challenging goals. Like the 5k that we are doing tomorrow. Next month we will do a 10k and the month after that. And each time we will try to best our times. In AZ it's getting much cooler so you can run outside now. If you guys want to get together once a week or every other week and run a long distance run that would be fun??? Any other ideas to keep each other motivated?

I'm so excited about this race! And I'm so glad we are doing it as family and friends!

-Love Shannon-

P.S. I signed up the team and paid for it as well. So as soon as those of you who have not got me your moola can do that, that would be great.

My first (and last) marathon

I'm just posting my 26.2 time of 3:52:04. I completed the Top of Utah marathon in Logan Utah. I'm pretty sore today, but I think I'm ready for the Vegas Ragnar.

PS My boss Tracy will be an alternate.

NEXT CHALLENGE

This ones gonna be easy and so fun! I want to invite any one who can come to our first team race! We are going to do a 5K on Saturday, October 3rd! Now I know you (in AZ) might be thinking oh it's still too hot. But we're going to PAYSON yay! Its the Rim Country Challenge. And they don't call it that because it's easy. But the good news is, it's only 3 miles and we can do 3 miles! Donald is going to do the Half Marathon so I need lots of people to come out and run with me. Registration is only 20$ if you sign up online before September 3oth. http://www.rimcountrychallenge.com/registration.htm We can all caravan together and it can be a really fun trip. Maybe we should wear matching headbands or something, ha ha.
Call me, email me, but go sign up ASAP!
P.S. Those of you not in AZ, find a race I know you can't be here so find a race in October that you can compete with others and get a time. Then post them for us :) Hopefully everyone can post their times in October and we'll see how close we are to our goal of an average of 11 minute miles.
(I know what race you're doing, Scott)

FMX Ragnar Team!

Shannon Weir

Donald Weir

Scott Hunter

Kevin Daly

Megan Daly

Mom Daly

Steve Downing

Kristin Millward

Heather Timpanaro

Hillary Curtis

James Moore

Jaba Aumua

Alternates
+Dixie Moore

+Coleen Gustin

These are the 12 runners so far. Aren't they beautiful!

OK any one else want to run? We need more runners. More than 12. Yes. The truth is people might get hurt. They might quit. They might get pregnant. So we need alternates.

This is a really great opportunity to get in shape and do something fun with your family and friends. So start running with us we want you to so bad.

I hope we can get at least 3 more people to run with us.

It's GO TIME!

All right runners!!! It's decision time. Are you in? Or are you out? I hope you are in because it is going to be a really amazing experience to accomplish this. For most of us who are NOT runners this is a huge step but it's not about running the Ragnar tomorrow. It's about working really hard for the next 5 months to be able to complete this fun challenge. And all your work will pay off I promise. You will not regret any of it. It will be hard, but worth it. So your IN right?

I talked to Coleen and Todd recently and unfortunately, they are out. I know, I know that's sad because she was our inspiration. But they can't afford the trip to AZ with their family of 8. I understand. Maybe we can convince Coleen to come?

There are a few of you guys that I haven't talked to about this in a LONG time. I don't know where you're at? Let me know, email me at fmxragnar@gmail.com I need every one's email address who is on the FMX team. We need at least 12 confirmed runners by September 30th. I also need to 85$ from each runner before September 30th. That's when the money is due for the team. We are confident that we are going to kick butt, so we are going to take care of the 1020$ it costs to enter the race no matter what, but Donald and I are very poor college students so if you could please get your part to us that would be awesome.

Also I have a really easy training schedule I can email you that promises to get you ready for the race in 4 months! I've been working on it. It's easy.

I know everyone is busy with school getting back in, and work and the Holidays will be here very soon... Just remember that the most rewarding opportunities aren't the easy ones to accomplish. The harder the work and dedication the bigger the pay off. You will not regret being IN.

2009 Ragnars

Hi Team,

I'm reporting my Ragnar runs for this year. I did the CA Ragnar in April and the UT Ragnar in June. With each Ragnar I have upped my mileage. I was runner 7 in CA and 11 in UT if you want to look up those routes. My next event is the Las Vegas Ragnar. I am planning on doing an Ultra team (6 people). However, my team is 2 runners short. Would you like to join us Donald? I hope you enjoy the pics. I also hope we are still on for February in AZ.

Scott

Valentines Run

We did the Two Sisters One Heart race on February 14th. It was really fun. Donald wanted to run by my side even though he is a super fast runner. I thought that was so silly at first but it was really nice to have him right my my side, kinda romantic. We ran the 5k and I run really slow, but we had a really good time. It was a beautiful day.

Ha ha you could see Moms hair flopping in the wind from a mile away.

If I am going to be in any kind of shape to run the Ragnar Relay in February I am going to have to kick it into gear. We all are! If you put your name on the list of people who wanted to run with us when we started this Blog... Think!!! Think about where you are today and what your up against in a year. At this point it is NOT to late to get started. But you have to get going soon or it will be too late. Don't let that be your excuse.

I need every ones help to motivate me!

Well. This was the next stop, and for me, it was a 10K! I can't even belive it. It was a big challenge for me but it was a good cause. We were running for "two sisters one heart", the conjoined twin girls who live in Rob and Megans stake. I finished in 1 hour and 7 minutes. That was the fastest in my division. And if you counted the women 45 and older I finished 4th fastest. Thank you Shannon and Donald for comming and running and to Bruce who came and cheered us on and took the pictures.

Getting ready to RUN!


The runners three! It was a really cold morning.



And the big finish. By the time we ran, it was just perfect.

Next stop, 5K, maybe....

So, this morning I did 6 miles for the first time. I did run/walk and I tried to keep my heart rate in my zone. So I was letting my heart rate be my guide as to how long I would run or walk. I did the first 3 miles in 33 minutes and the second 3 in 34 minutes, (it was more up hill) for a total of 1 hour and 7 minutes. Now I have a baseline to work from. That may be as fast as it gets for me. So you may want to kick me off the team now and get it over with. ;)

The Daly Marathon

Okay...a friend gave me a great idea. She and her family run a marathon relay. Everyone participates (even if it is only one lap around the track, kids above a certain age, too). Everyone chooses how far they want to run. Then a moderator somehow makes it equal 26 miles. Everyone does their run and then turns in their times. We don't have to be all together to do it. James and I (and Brooklyn and Macey) would run here and turn in our time (together so noone would even know our individual time) and then we would compile all our times together to get our marathon time. Then we would work on improving our time for the next marathon. We could do it 2 or 3 times a year and just keep improving our time. What do you think? Could we get everyone on board? There are a lot of us, so no one would have to run very far. Let me know your thoughts! PS ...I am still running (using Coleen's training schedule). Today I ran 10 minutes and walked 1 minute (repeated 4 times). I ran 2.76 miles.

Lets keep moving.

Even in AZ we have to train in the rain sometimes. Not often, but sometimes.


Shannon and I before the turkey trot. Fun times.



It was a perfect day for a run. Next year, we all should do it.