Packing for Ragnar is an art not a science, but I go through the same 5 stages every single time.
1. Panic!
You don’t know where every thing is, you need to do a load of laundry, and you don’t know what you want to wear. This stage is often the longest stage as you throw laundry in the wash and buy a bunch of items via Amazon Prime. Sometimes this stage lasts days. It’s ok. You’ll get through it.
2. Gathering
The gathering phase is the one where you fold all that laundry and find all the random items that have wandered away since your last Ragnar Relay. You also obsessively check your Amazon orders to see when they will be delivered. During this phase, your “staging site” becomes a mound of running clothes, lights, and food.
3. Organizing
This is where it gets real. The outfits are chosen and organized into plastic bags. You put your night time items all in one place. Sandwiches are made, shoes are found, and toiletries are organized. You come close to entering panic again as you wonder how it will all fit in one bag!
4. Packing
Now it’s time to get all those items into bags for the van. Each of those plastic bags is put neatly in your duffel bag, along with shoes and toiletries. If you are smart, you pack the night time stuff on top so you can pull it out to show Ragnar at checkin.
5. Celebration!
All of it fit! In fact, you have enough room to throw in that extra pair of socks and underwear. The sense of relief at being done is immense. Now it’s time to hop in the van and get excited to run 200 miles with 12 of your best friends!
I’m off to run Ragnar DC again this weekend. I’m looking forward to a fun time with my friends.
If you’d like some more Ragnar tips, check these posts out…
It can definitely be over whelming! have fun this weekend