Ragnar 2012

Ragnar Relay Series is a group who travels all over doing relay races across cities and states. Each race has different mileage, and the Chattanooga to Nashville run is just over 195 miles. There are teams of 12, and each runner is given a predestined distance. One may only run 5 miles, but it could be determined 'hard' with a lot of hills. Another runner may have 8 or 10 miles, and it could be a pretty flat run.

I did this race in 2010, took a postpartum break in 2011 and fully committed in 2012. Honestly, my memory of the 2010 race wasn't great, and I was a nervous wreck for this year. Nerves and insecurity are two great motivators for me to get out there and TRAIN. So my dear friend, Sarah, and me worked our tails off- running in the dark, at night, early morning, afternoons, rain, cold, heat. We did it, and we were ready!

I hadn't 'trained' to leave my babies behind, though, and this was the FIRST time I'd left Mac and Paisley- at 15 months. 

Can you guess which of these is not like the other?? I came into the play area and found her like this.

 Back to Ragnar... 

The sun was rising, and it was time to start. 

(There are about 200 teams, and start times are staggered based on when each time estimated they'll finish)

Here's my dad and me before he started us off!

 Our team! Minus a few who stayed home to sleep. Lazy. ;-)

From left: Jordan, Jeremy, Mike, Sarah, Jeff, Me, Dad, Becca (holding Logan) and Brandon. 

 Leg one runners at the start! Dad is in the neon yellow jacket on the far left.

 He's OFF!

 See you in about 8 miles!

Dad finished and handed off to Jeff. I was next! Pardon my goofy expression. 

 Next was Sarah. Because I love pictures and this was Sarah's first race, I have many photos of her.

 While encouraging her, Jeremy asked Sarah if she wanted a hamburger from Hardees here. Seriously.

 Look at the beauty we run thru! 

 After your run, you finish in the 'hand off station'. The next runner is standing there to get your slap bracelet and take off. Here, Sarah has finished, and Mike is starting his turn. 

 Good luck, Mike!

 Waiting for Mike's arrival.

 Here he comes!! 

 Now Jeremy is off!

 At the end of our van's run (there are two vans, six runners in each), the second van started their six legs. We went to Adrianne and Chris' house to shower, rest, eat and visit. The Cowans have been on our Ragnar team in the past, and hopefully they'll return next year :o)

Thanks, friends, for letting us rest and prep for the rest of the race in your home.

At about midnight, our van was finishing our second legs. After handing off the 'baton', we went to a hotel and napped for a couple of hours. Then we got the (dreaded) phone call that we needed to leave and start our last legs.

 The sun had set, and so was our exhaustion... Here we are after my last leg (WHEW), and Sarah is about to start her's... It is about 6 in the morning.

 Sarah ran thru the country side of Nashville as the sun rose. Beautiful. Hilly. 

 It wasn't a crazy hour of the day, and I got to facetime with the kiddos. Mac was the only one who stayed in the screen long enough for me to get a picture. 

 My first meal since Thursday's dinner before the race. We ate at New York Cafe and Deli. It looks cholesterol and fat filled, and I'm confident it was. It was fried eggs on a bagel topped with bacon and hollandaise sauce plus side of fried  hash browns. I could hardly eat a quarter of this. It was a LOT of food I never eat and very rich. It was one of those times you order whatever you want and don't care- and that's exactly what I did. 

 After our legs, we went back to Jordan's brother's house and showered and napped. 

 Here's our team- finally finished!!

It was Jeremy's birthday so we celebrated over lunch at Toot's before heading home.

Fun times, y'all! 

as always,

ashley

OR bound!

I went to dinner at Public House with Mary a couple Saturday nights ago. We both love Public House, and their pimento cheese {burger and appetizer} is scrumptious! 

I try not to leave Jordan solo with bath and bedtime duty. When we make plans to go out, we stick around until M and P are in bed. 

During bath, Lilly Scott was playing dress up in my closet. This has become pretty typical. She's so funny when she's playing. 

Her quote from this 'fashion show': 

If I'm going to dress fancy, I need fancy shoes!

Let's go!

 I came home to a wiped out family :o)

 The next morning we were leaving for Oak Ridge. My grandparents live there, and my dad was participating in the Lenoir City Atomic Man race. {1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run} Jordan did his training run that day with my dad.

While I got ready everyone played. Watching them melts. my. heart.

 We drove to the race site so I could drop off Jordan. We hung out for a little bit before M and P started getting hungry for lunch. 

 Jordan gave everyone kisses before we left.

 Ready for Granmom and Paw Paw's house!

 Lunch and playtime! 

{This was my highchair, then Carsen and Bailey's, Lilly's, and now M and P's!}

 I love this face. This is Mac's surprise face. He totally gets it from me. When we see something new or exciting, I tend to make this same surprise face and gasp. Now Mac does it. Absolutely hilarious.

as always,

ashley

Randomness

We are back in the swing of things... well, sort of. It's tough coming back home after being away for a week. Mac and Paisley did great while we were gone, and I credit that to their confidence in our routine. I know routines aren't for everyone, but with twins, I believe it's crucial. The more I read, the more I am confident in the power of a routine for them. Babies don't come with manuals, after all. 

Mac wanted me to hold him instead of taking his picture. I did both :o)

 Paisley loves her teething biscuits.

Sweet babies

 Hey, buddy!!

 

Last night we got together with our small group. We had dinner and played bocce ball at the park. So fun!

Logan and Maggie were dancing to the music.

 The girls entertained M and P

 Rachael's turn!

Brandon rolls for the guy's team.

 See that green ball closest to the yellow? Yeah, that's mine ;o)

Mac and Paisley were so good! 

 This morning's breakfast- blueberries!

 Paisley did another first... she fell asleep in the high chair.

We went to the park today! We walked with our friends Mary and Emory, and Mac, Paisley and I had a picnic lunch after the walk. It's been nice around here the past few days so we are taking advantage of this beautiful weather!

This picture was made at home. I didn't get a picture at the park because I didn't have an extra set of hands. Notice Paisley's pose. She is always on the move....

 ... So Mac is easier to capture than P.

On the way home from the park I heard a siren so I looked in my rear view mirror and started to pull over... But no, it was just the squeals from the back seat. They fooled me. I did get a kick out of it, though. 

I ironed some of Paisley's clothes today. That's a huge deal around here. In these parts, if it needs ironed, it gets thrown in the dryer with a wet washcloth. As "domesticated" as I can be, ironing isn't a priority... unless I can't tie a bow on the outfit or the collar won't lay-- and Jordan nor I have many clothes with bows or ruffled collars ;o)

You know what tomorrow is!?! Woo hoo!! Weekend, here we come!!