Community, camaraderie and challenge. That's how Fit Mother Leigh Ann Bustamante described her first Ragnar Experience. Leigh Ann joined Team Fit Father/Fit Mother for the Minnesota Road Race in August. These events are very impactful and bring together our community members in ways that connect them for life. Read below how Leigh Ann herself described this experience.
At 54 years young, I truly feel like I have made lifelong connections with some of the most genuine people I have had the honor of meeting.
Try to remember the nervous excitement you felt as a kid, thinking about the new challenges, adventures and friendships you would experience as summer camp approached. Recall the familiar banter and camaraderie you experience on a road trip with your besties. Consider the connections and community you enjoy when participating in a team retreat. Now imagine a single experience that gives you all of that. For me, that was the Ragnar Relay Race with Fit Mother and Fit Father.
Leading up to the event, I was both nervous and excited. Though my relay legs were some of the shortest, the total distance was farther than I had ever run. It was the equivalent of a half marathon and the longest distance I had run was about half that. Still, my excitement overshadowed my nerves. I felt stronger, more confident and bolder than, dare I say ever! I was eager to prove to myself that I could do this.
Taking a red-eye from California to Minnesota, I was the first to arrive at the airport. Our captain and one of my teammates arrived within the next few hours and exchanging stories, we became fast friends. Over the next few hours the rest of the crew trickled in and we hopped in our vans and made our way to the Shire in the Woods where we were assigned the “big house” and a handful of smaller cabins. Here I was gifted with another opportunity to connect; up in the loft of our two person cabin my mate and I chatted into the night getting to know each other. The next day we had a team meeting where I began to learn ‘the way of the Ragnar’ which included decorating our vans.
And then it was off to the race! One might think that spending 36 hours in a van with virtual strangers might be uncomfortable or awkward. I have never experienced such an immediate connection and sense of camaraderie with a group of people. We cheered each other on, helped each other out, made jokes and laughed at ourselves and learned from each other. At 54 years young, I truly feel like I have made lifelong connections with some of the most genuine people I have had the honor of meeting.
And did I prove to myself that I could do it? You bet I did! Each leg, I logged a new personal best pace. What felt even better was crossing the finish line with our entire team!
Thank you Leigh Ann. You make a great teammate and friend!
Leigh Ann shares this montage of photos from Ragnar
Think you'd like to consider a Ragnar event with us? We'll be doing another next year so be on the lookout for that announcement or write to me, [email protected], so we'll keep you in mind.
Written by Craig Taylor, FFP/FMP Staff. – Let Fit Mother Project inspire you to tackle big things also! Then we can post awesome stories and photos like these about you!
