Running the Distance: How Eagan Franchise Owner Zach Took on Ragnar Minnesota — and What It Says About Simple Plan
- Dan Beck
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
When you meet Zach, owner of Simple Plan Eagan, it’s easy to see the qualities that make a great franchisee — discipline, community-mindedness, and a willingness to take on big challenges. This summer, he put those traits to the test in the Ragnar Relay Minnesota, a grueling 200-mile race from St. Paul to Duluth that demands endurance, teamwork, and grit.
Ragnar is no ordinary race. Six runners. One van. Each person runs three legs of varying distances and difficulty — all through the day, the night, and into the next day. The course winds through paved paths, wooded trails, and small-town streets, testing both physical and mental limits. For many, the challenge is as much about camaraderie and strategy as it is about speed.
🏃 About the Ragnar Minnesota Relay
Distance: ~200 miles from St. Paul to Duluth, MN
Teams: 6–12 runners split into two vans
Legs: Each runner completes 3 segments of varying distance and difficulty
Terrain: Mix of paved paths, scenic rural roads, and wooded trails
Duration: ~24–36 hours nonstop, including overnight running
Challenge Level: High — combines endurance, strategy, and team dynamics
Zach’s Ragnar Story: Why Ragnar? The “Why This Experience”
Q: What inspired you to sign up for the Ragnar Relay Minnesota?
I did one last year around Lake Tahoe with some friends from Austin and had a blast. I wanted to continue the fun with my friends back here in the midwest.
Q: Did you and your teammates train together beforehand? What motivated your group?
Yes, we trained for about 3 months leading up to the race, we would hold each other accountable by making a strava group where we posted our miles and set mile markers for the week. Our competitive nature and always seeking to do hard things really motivated this group. It was also a great way to not only grow together but a way to stay connected after seeing each other everyday in college.
Q: Tell us about your team—how did these six of you come together, and what roles did each of you play?
This team was our college house, so we are a very close group who have always held each other accountable throughout our lives since meeting each other. I would say everyone had a different role based on each other's personalities and strengths. Some would be the navigators and the planners while others would be there for overall results and being a positive influence for the team.
Q: What was the team’s vibe during the race? How did you support one another on and off the course?
The vibes started off HOT, we all hit some of our best times on the first legs. Then as the day went on everyone started to get quiet and a little tight. We faced our biggest hurdle when the sun went down, everyone was tired and having a hard time finding time to sleep. What really got through the night was realizing that nobody here at the race is feeling good and it was cool to be in the presence of hundreds of people all doing hard things.
Race Day Highlights & Challenges
Q: Ragnar is roughly a 200-mile relay from St. Paul to Duluth on mostly flat, scenic paths. What stood out the most about the course or setting?
The amount of time spent in the wooded trails, kept going for miles and miles through nature. I was very impressed with the trail quality and made me want to get into trail running. There was an instance where we drove over to the next exchange point and took a few wrong turns and started going down the highway in the wrong direction. Everyone in the vans' true colors came out and we started freaking out worried our runner was going to get to the exchange point before us. We got it back on the right track and made it minutes before our runner came in. Its always a concern to make it there on time so we don’t lose any minutes on our time.
Q: Relay running means splitting the distance into multiple legs (typically 3 per runner)—how’d it feel balancing exertion with quick recovery between legs?
Typically when you have a twelve person team you don’t have to worry too much about running too many miles but when you only have six people your legs become more of a preliminary topic of discussion. We had to give some of the harder/longer legs to our strongest distance runners and legs to those who could fair with elevated legs. In between legs was always tough, running and then sitting in a van right after isn't necessarily the best recovery tactic. However, we did well, we made sure to stretch our legs by not sitting for too long and also brought along a theragun and foam roller which saved us.
Q: Relay running means splitting the distance into multiple legs (typically 3 per runner)—how’d it feel balancing exertion with quick recovery between legs?
Typically when you have a twelve person team you don’t have to worry too much about running too many miles but when you only have six people your legs become more of a preliminary topic of discussion. We had to give some of the harder/longer legs to our strongest distance runners and legs to those who could fair with elevated legs. In between legs was always tough, running and then sitting in a van right after isn't necessarily the best recovery tactic. However, we did well, we made sure to stretch our legs by not sitting for too long and also brought along a theragun and foam roller which saved us.
Physical & Mental Prep
Q: How did you physically prepare for Ragnar? Any favorite workouts or recovery tactics?
Nutrition, hydration, and recovery was key for training and you could really tell the days that you prioritized and the days that you didn’t. It was important to maintain strength throughout training by weight lifting which is still one area that I could do better at. In terms of recovery, my teammates and I would do something we like to call the “executive”. The executive consisted of a cycle of sauna, cold tub, hot tub, and steam shower and we cycle through that a few times. Some would call that a spa day but we like to call it the executive treatment.
Q: Any pre-race nerves or mindset tricks you used to stay focused across 24+ hours?
Before every leg waiting for your partner to approach you and the hand off the wrist band there were always nerves. It was always important to me to give me the headspace and time to lock in before a leg. If I knew I was next up and my partner was a mile out I would spend that 8-10 minutes to get in a game time mindset.
Fueling & Recovery with Simple Plan
Q: What role did Simple Plan meals and hCODE supplements play in your training and race day? Any favorite menu items or go-to macros?
Everything, my best run days was one I only ate at Simple Plan Products and hydrated with hCode electrolytes throughout the day. I leaned heavily on the Protein Overnight Oats in the early morning or an hour before a run in the afternoon. It gave me the necessary carbs to keep fueled while I was running.
Q: Did having ready-to-eat, high-protein meals make a difference in your performance or energy levels across those relay legs?
It made a huge difference there were multiple times throughout the race where it was basically impossible to find clean protein options while out on the road. Having electrolytes handy at all times was also a game changer. It was over 100 degrees the day of the race.
Van Life & Team Bonding
Q: Ragnar races are overnight team events with runners hopping in and out of vans during the relay—what was your “van life” experience like?
Truly amazing, we went with a big sprinter van and took out the middle seats because we only had 3 people in the back while the race was going on. We replaced the seats with a couple coolers to kick our feet up on. Lots of great tunes and hypotheticals were thrown around as well.
Q: Any bonding moments or van shenanigans you’d like to share?
Being parked at a checkpoint at 4am has to be up there, we were mentally going crazy at this point so there were a lot of laughs shared. My teammates stopped at a local beach during one of my legs to jump in and clean up so I assume that was fun. I was pretty salty (no pun intended) when I found out they did that during my leg.
Finish Line & Feelings
Q: How did it feel to cross the Duluth finish line, right by Lake Superior’s shore? The Ragnar experience is often described as equal parts challenge and celebration.
Getting into Duluth was a relief, seeing the city and lake superior was an indicator that we were pretty much done. The finish line was exciting, we all got to wait for our last runner and all cross the finish line together. Upon finishing there we got medals and free tickets for vendors in the park.
Q: Any standout memories from that beer garden or toe-dip moment?
Recapping the race with our friends and family while eating a dominoes pizza was definitely the highlight of the race!
Lessons & Advice
Q: What did Ragnar teach you—about yourself, teamwork, or just running with friends?
People thought we were crazy but we all realized that we can pretty much do anything if we put our minds to it. It is important to do hard things on a regular basis and we were just lucky to do it and create great memories while doing it. Every race I finish I always look back and enjoy the process of the whole thing more than the actual finish of the race. One common theme I notice is that I can always do better, train harder, eat better, perform better and that is what I really enjoy about races.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering joining a Ragnar relay (especially busy professionals or first-timers)?
Be prepared, you will never regret showing up to the race prepared but you will regret at the start line if you didn’t give the preparation your full attention. Simple Plan and hCode really makes that easy for me and that’s why I love the brand.
Looking Ahead
Q: What’s next for you, Zach? Another Ragnar? Something even bigger?
I always love a new challenge but I think I’m going to focus on getting better at things I have already done. I’m thinking of doing a Grandma's Marathon again but this time shoot for a goal time rather than just a ballpark goal of finishing the race.
Q: How does being an Eagan franchisee and an endurance athlete intersect for you—what does that say about Simple Plan’s overall culture?
What a blessing to be part of a brand I truly love, representing a product that has genuinely supported me in my daily life and training goals. I’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes, and I’m proud to stand behind it and help others. We’re also passionate about keeping things local. Our stores are placed in communities for a reason—we want to hear your story, support your journey, and walk alongside you. We’re not just here to drop meals at your door and wish you good luck. Everybody is unique, every schedule is different, and finding what works best takes both effort and community.
Why This Matters for Potential Franchisees
Zach’s Ragnar story is more than a race recap — it’s a case study in the mindset that fuels Simple Plan’s success. The same drive, teamwork, and discipline that carried him through 200 miles are the qualities that make him a strong business owner.
At Simple Plan, we’re looking for franchisees who:
Embrace challenges and see them through.
Value community and team connection.
Commit to preparation and execution.
Live the brand they represent.
If you have the endurance to chase goals, the resilience to overcome setbacks, and the passion to bring healthier living to your community, you may be exactly who we’re looking for.
In Good Health,
The Simple Plan Team