KODAheart and Mile Infinity take over Ragnar Trail TX!

The KODAheart team just before starting the relay: (left to right) Jenn Legg, Justin Adkins, Bobby Loeffler, Eudore Muhlbauer, Erika Helm-Buckman, Adrian Kelly, Chad Maldonado, and Jenica VonGarrel

Mile Infinity Team group shot after completing the trail relay- (Back row, left to right) Russell Harvard, Summer Crider Loeffler, Nichole Gullett, and Misty Morris. (Front row, left to right) Brian Davis, Rachel Mazique, Kristin Granitz, and David Valverde Jr. 

 KODAheart and Mile Infinity take over Ragnar Trail TX! 

By KODAheart

Participating in a Ragnar race is a challenge to any runner’s skill and endurance! Ragnar Trail Relays cover over 120 miles in a 24 hour period. The miles are divided between eight team members and each runner takes a turn representing the team on three trail loops – green (short trail), yellow (medium trail), and red (long trail). The rules are that all eight runners must run all three loops in order to finish the race. Generally Ragnar events are scheduled at the start of a weekend. Teams start at some time on a Friday afternoon, and depending on the composition of the team of runners, they can finish in under 24 hours! It is both a physical and mental challenge, particularly running on an unfamiliar trail in the middle of the night with nothing but a couple of head-lamps to lead the way!

In June 2014, Jenn Legg and Bobby Loeffler, both codas, were invited to join the Aspen Camp for the Deaf Ragnar team. With a team of six deaf runners, the group took on the Ragnar Trail Relays at Snowmass, Colorado with great success. This amazing experience left the team breathless, sore, and wanting more. Most of all, they wanted to include more of their friends! The group divided to form to fill two full teams and entered the Ragnar Trail, Hill Country as Mile Infinity and KODAheart!

For Team KODAheart, the trip to Austin for a Family Fun Day and launch party, was timed perfectly for another Ragnar race!  The team saw Ragnar Trail Hill Country as an amazing team-building opportunity and with the help of their great friends on team Mile Infinity, KODAheart was able to take on the challenge! Their journey was not without its bumps and bruises, in fact, the team was forced to start the race with only seven runners! But the remaining runners came together and in the spirit of teamwork, divided the extra miles in order to finish the race. In fact, Adrian Kelly and Eudore Muhlbauer picked up extra loops and other KODAheart members, Jenica VonGarrel and Chad Maldonado, found themselves suddenly added to the team!

The race was tough, but the runners had an amazing experience. The winding trails of Flat Rock Ranch were a challenge, but one that brought us together! Both team KODAheart and Mile Infinity look forward to the next great Ragnar challenge! Zion, UT anyone?

Mile Infinity and KODAheart wait for the last runner to cross the finish line.

Ragnar Trail Relays in TX were no joke! We battled the relentless texas sun, the rough terrain, multiple injuries- even with a person down- we still rocked it!! We had such a great time, we’re already planning the next one! Check out the video below to get a peek into our crazy 24 hour run adventure!