This race was the 6th time that I had to DNF at a race. All except for one was on a multi-loop course. That exception was because they had to shut down the course due to a severe thunderstorm with possible tornado. I guess I really didn't have a choice in that one. I should probably stick to races with courses that are not multi-loop.
- 08-23-09 Montaña de Oro 50k, severe leg cramps
- 04-24-10 Country Music Marathon, severe thunderstorm and tornado
- 11-21-10 Santa Monica Mountains 50k, rolled the ankle
- 12-26-10 Operation Jack Marathon, right leg
- 12-26-11 Operation Jack Marathon, right leg
- 08-11-12 Victorious Summit 50k, could not handle the 90+ weather
Racing in the heat
I checked in with the race director at about 6:30am. I talked to a couple of my maniac friends before grabbing my stuff and heading over to the starting area. There was a heatwave going on in Southern California, so I had my doubts that I could finish a 50k in the heat which climbed into the mid 90s. The course was a 6.55 mile loop. Run it 2 times for a half marathon, 4 times for a full marathon, and 4 times plus a ~5 mile shorter loop for the 50k. I was registered for the 50k.
3 crazy maniacs before the start
Already looking nervous
Loop #1 Outbound: 31:51 (9:43 min/mile)
The race started at 7am and it was already pretty warm in the 70s. It was a small field of about 20 runners. No one really wanted to run fast, so I ended up in the lead for a little while until my friend passed me. I was just going at an easy effort. Everything felt okay until we reached the farthest part of the out portion. That part of the course was very exposed with no covering so we got the full force of the sun. There was a picnic area here with a drinking fountain. Right before the turnaround, there was a big pile of horse crap. By now, I was already feeling like I was overheating, so I started walking to cool down. This was where most of the runners passed me. I know that my body never reacts well in heat, so I was content with going slow.
Loop #1 Inbound: 44:19 (13:31 min/mile)
Heading back in I was already starting to feel the effects of the heat. I decided that I would just go at a slower pace for the rest of the way.
Finishing a loop, getting hotter by the minute!
Loop #2 Outbound: 44:50 (13:41 min/mile)
Before going back out on the second loop, I dumped some water on my head and neck. I caught up to my friend Joe who took an early start. He was trying out a pair of trekking poles. We jogged and walked together until we got to the turnaround point. The Achilles in my left ankle was feeling a bit sore.
Loop #2 Inbound: 55:35 (16:58 min/mile)
Joe walked off of the course to take care of business while I jogged on. There was this little climb up to the picnic area where all of a sudden I felt as if every bit of my energy was drained. I just wanted to stop and not move. I took a little break once I got up to the picnic area. I threw some water on my head and neck. It was very tough just keeping my legs moving, but I made it back to the aid station.
Loop #3 Outbound: 59:57 (18:18 min/mile)
I thought about dropping out here, but I drank some Gatorade refilled my bottle, grabbed a Hammer Gel, and headed back out for my third loop. It was getting hotter and hotter. I thought I could survive it just by going slower, but I just wasn't prepared. This time I had enough electrolytes on me, but not enough fluids. I was kicking myself for not bringing my second handheld. I was completely pooped when I reached the turnaround point. Another maniac caught me here. I told her that I was going to drop out and to tell the race director since she would get there before me.
Loop #3 Inbound: 1:18:07 (23:51 min/mile)
I barely made it back to the picnic area. I even stopped dead in my tracks a couple of times just to rest under the blazing sun. There was no shade to be found. Once I got to the picnic area, I poured some water on myself and just sat there in the shaded area for as long as I needed for my body to cool down a bit. I was breathing rapidly, so I had to take care of that before I bought the farm. I knew that there wasn't going to be a fourth loop. Once my body calmed down, I practically crawled my way back to the aid station to drop out. Along the way maniac Dale forced me to drink some of his water after I told him how bad I was feeling. As I was almost to the end, one of the runners that had finished the half gave me a ice cold Gatorade bottle since he was dispatched out to see if other runners needed extra fluids. It was a nice change from drinking the hot Gatorade that was in my bottle.
Calling it quits after the 3rd loop
DNF at 19.65 miles: 5:14:40 (16:00 min/mile)
Post race recovery
I planted myself in a chair and proceeded to hook myself up to the Coke IV... drinking 3 cans of Coke. I was just not drinking enough for my body to cool itself. I hung out with my friends at the finish until I felt good enough to drive home. Once I got home I drank some more water.
Salad #1
Salad #2
For dinner, I ate at Souplantation. I got enough fluids from eating salads and drinking soup. I love recovering from a tough run by eating salads. But next time I'd better bring more fluids if I plan to run in that kind of weather. All in all I'm okay with a DNF instead of a DIE. Only crazy mofos would be exercising in this weather! :)
1 comment:
That does not sound fun. I cannot stand the heat very well, though a week of running in Memphis during the summer made me learn a lot about when to call it quits in the heat to protect our vital organs. Glad you did the smart thing and stopped when you did. Thinking that Bulldog 50K might not be a good idea as it is very exposed and could be even hotter...
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