Ragnar Florida Keys: Leg 3

Both Taira and I were teaching class/serving as mentors to faculty candidates during this trip, so we were sharing the use of my netbook for access to class.  Since we hadn’t been able to access our course forums since early on Friday morning (at the Hampton Inn in Fort Lauderdale), I lobbied for our next break to occur at the nearest free Wifi location, the Marathon Mickey D’s.  It being 10am on a Saturday morning, the rest of our group was more than happy to grab breakfast while we logged in.

Once breakfast was done, we realized we were only a mile away from our lodging for the next few nights, the Sea Dell Motel, and we decided to try for an early check-in.  Although the rooms for the Olsen and Murphy parties weren’t quite ready, the larger room shared by Erin, Taira, and Scott was, so we were able to rest, change clothes, and use the facilities in a legitimate room and bathroom, which was outstanding.  

Chris and Scott also took a quick dip in the swimming pool, and we ladies dangled our feet as well.  Chris also participated briefly in one of his favorite pastimes:

Is anyone sensing a theme here?

Cooling our aching feet

One of the murals at the Sea Dell

This is the side of Erin, Taira, and Scott’s room

We knew we’d have about an hour drive to the next major exchange, on Summerland Key at another high school, plus the traffic would be gnarly, so we hopped in the van and off we went.  The famous Seven Mile Bridge starts at the southern end of Marathon, and we were able to glimpse other Ragnarians taking their turns running across this landmark.

Go runners!  Remember to hydrate!

Right around Big Pine Key, traffic snarled up, and we worried we might not get to Summerland Key in time; however, a text conversation with Luis in Van 1 told us they were running behind schedule, due to the extreme heat and humidity (the heat index ended up being around 90 that day).

Waiting in traffic

Trying to enjoy the rest break

Since the traffic was gnarly and Chris was both currently driving and the next runner on deck, he and Murph executed a position swap, Chinese fire drill style, so he could put on shoes and get ready to go (they didn’t really need to hurry).  We finally made it to the high school, and we chilled out in the shade of a tree in one of the green areas nearby.  Scott’s wubbie was put to good use, as was one of the sheets Mom lent us.

Exchange 30 madness

Relaxing in the shade

Maybe we should check on Chris…

This looks about right

We received the text that Van 1 was on its way, so we got Chris into the exchange (another virtual one, due to heavy traffic across the road), and he was on his way!  Most of our van had decently short legs this time, which was nice, since the sun was really getting warm.  We pulled over to hand Chris a bottle of water, but he flew past us (whacking into the van mirror on the way – oops!), so we headed to the next exchange. 

He came flying in and high-fived me (since I was already wearing the slap bracelet), then I was off!  I only had 1.8 miles to do, and I wanted to blow it out of the water, since I knew it was my last run; I had set an unofficial goal of 15 minutes and came in at 15:11 – not too shabby.  Erin snapped this pic when the van passed me:

As my godbaby Juliet likes to say - ZOOM!

I handed the baton to Scott, who quickly finished his 2.7 miles. 

First rule of Ragnar:

Try your damndest not to get passed by someone in a tutu

Taira was then off on her last leg, a 2 miler; since there was no van support on this leg, we headed to the next exchange to get Erin ready to go.  I decided to change, but didn’t want to suffer the oppressive heat and stank of yet another port o let, so I made do:

Casper the friendly plaid ghost

Erin’s run was also no van support and clocked in around 3.5 miles, so we moved on to the final exchange before the finish line, at a gas station just outside of Key West proper.  We started organizing the van and tossing out unimportant things, while Murph got ready for her run.

And she’s off!

While Murph’s run was supported, we knew we had under an hour to get into Key West, battle traffic, park the van, and find the rest of our team, so we could be ready to go when she led us across the finish line.  Thus, we sent her off with water and gu and headed south. 

Waiting for Murph

Murph came in right on schedule, she donned her bear hoodie (you really don’t want to run in those things), and we wrapped up this mofo!

We’re done!

Our entire team

Van 2, represent!

After hugging Mom and Uncle Doug goodbye (they came to see us finish, and we’d be rendezvousing again with them in a little while) and wishing the other half of the team safe travels, we headed to the beer garden to claim our rewards – strawberry Pop-Tarts and SeaDog/Shipyard brews!

Thanks, Mom!  You're the best!

Mo' Honey, Mo' Problems!

We were tired puppies by this point, but we still had a few miles to go before we could sleep.  We met Mom and Uncle Doug again at Mom’s friend Suzy’s house (Aunt Suzy to us, growing up – she lives on Cudjoe Key), where we put the seat back in the van, reclaimed our larger suitcases, returned all of the disgusting linens, and used another lovely, real bathroom.  We then headed back to the Sea Dell in Marathon and tried not to fall asleep on the way.* Everyone split up into their rooms and after Chris dragged me through a shower and an actual dinner at the Cracked Conch Café (one of my favorite Keys locations and directly across A1A from the Sea Dell), we fell into a well-deserved sleep.

Coming up…we actually vacation in the Keys!  Imagine that!

Amy

* I, apparently, did not succeed.  I woke up after a brief snooze to find everyone laughing at me.  According to them, I started a sentence and completely nodded off in the middle of what I was saying, of which I have no memory.  Thankfully, I was not driving.