Endurance athletes are definitely a different breed with varying degrees of insanity. I would look upon someone that runs a 50 or 100 miler to be insane. But I'm looked upon by fellow marathoners as insane for grinding through so many races while injured. I've managed to get through a bout of Achilles tendinitis early in 2010. But unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I won't be able to get through any more races with my current injury. I self-diagnosed myself with a stress fracture in the tibia. I've seen my doctor, but all I've gotten out of that doctor visit was have my blood and urine samples examined. Regardless if the diagnosis is correct or not, it hurts too much for me to run with my normal gait. My altered gait has caused my right hip flexor to hurt a lot.
However long it took me, I willed myself through the Surf City Marathon, Red Rock Marathon, and the NYC half marathon. After the Carlsbad 5000 all day 25k, I've had enough and I even cringe at the idea of trying to get through another event in my present condition.
I really love spending time with fellow endurance athletes, not just marathon maniacs and half fanatics. Runners in general tend to be good people with great demeanor. That's the primary reason why I can't stay away from races. While I'm on the sideline, I plan to volunteer at races as much as I can.
Ok, so here's what went down...
Carlsbad 5000 starting line
My plan going into this race was to just run the first heat with the old guys and just watch the rest of the heats from the sidelines. I got into the train station parking lot at about 5:30 am. After taking a quick cat nap, I headed over to the packet pickup on Harding St. The registration tents weren't supposed to open until 6am, but there were lines already formed. After picking up my packet, I headed over to Jefferson St to pick up my race shirt. It was still dark and early so things weren't quite setup. I headed back to my car after I got my shirt. I like the design.
After pinning on my bib and attached the chip to my shoe, I headed over to the starting area. I bumped into the Galindos before the start of the first heat. Say what you will about the evil Rock n' Roll empire, but every year they improve on the 25k all day event. This year they sectioned off an area near the starting corrals and called it the "All day 25k lounge". They had drinks, food, electro-therapy, and portapotties reserved just for those running the 25k. They even had "bouncers" checking on people's bibs to make sure non-25kers do not get in.
All Day 25k lounge
Masters Men 40+: 29:37 (9:32)1: 9:18
2: 9:54
3: 9:38
3.1: 0:48
I started off at what felt like a really really slow pace and it felt horrible. There was a giant green gnome giving out high fives. Galindo found me a little after the first left turn onto Carlsbad Blvd. We ran and chatted all the way to the finish line. I tried to run with my normal gait as we neared the finishing stretch down Carlsbad Village Dr.
break: 25:27
I felt like quitting and calling it a day, but for some reason I went back out to the starting area for the 2nd heat.
Masters Women 40+: 31:21 (10:06)1: 9:04
2: 10:51
3: 10:39
3.1: 0:48
I had planned to jog this heat with Galindo. But the adrenaline definitely kicked in near the start of this race. I powered through some of the inclines, but I quickly faded. The discomfort was just too much so I kept slowing down. I lost sight of Galindo, but saw him up way ahead on the turn around. Again I was able to run ok down Carlsbad Blvd for the finish.
break: 52:37
I definitely wanted to quit. This was the longest break between heats. So I went back to my car to pick up my Carlsbad Marathon cap and my iFitness belt to carry my camera. I met my friend in front of the beer garden to give him the cap. We tried to catch the start of the wheelchair race, but they already went by.
Men 30-39: 36:51 (11:52)1: 11:13
2: 13:05
3: 11:42
3.1: 0:51
Well, I felt like I might as well go out and complete my AG heat. I took it slow and the right hip flexor really started bothering me. It hurt so much that I walked a lot of mile 2. I tried to pick it up a little on the 3rd mile and on to the finish.
break: 17:21
Since I took so dang long, this was shortest break between heats. But it was ok since the next heat was for the walkers.
Women 30-39: 43:02 (13:51)1: 13:29
2: 14:48
3: 13:42
3.1: 1:04
Well, since it's the heat for walkers, I could take as long as I wanted. I tried to jog as much as I could and walked whenever the hip flexor was hurting.
break: 28:51
My leg muscles were starting to lock up, so I looked for GUs at the lounge. But they had already run out. I ate an energy bar and drank some electrolyte drink.
29 and under: 45:01 (14:30)1: 13:20
2: 15:05
3: 15:20
3.1: 1:16
The gnome was now mocking me. After giving me a high five, he or she starts jogging with me as my friends and I started way in the back. We were pulling up the rear. I had to walk a lot of this heat. To make matters worse, my legs were cramping by mile 2. As I was getting close to the final turn to the finish line one of the course marshals was encouraging us to hurry up and finish. The elite runners were ready to start their race. I gimped as fast as I could to finish line.
Total running time: 3:05:49 (11:58)
Total overall time: 5:10:09
Race shirt, bib, and medal
I seriously could not believe that I made it through all 5 heats. I grabbed a drink to try and ease the cramping muscles. My friends and I picked up our all day 25k medals. We then set out to watch the elite runners near the finishing stretch. I positioned myself near the train tracks and took some videos. This was a great event, but the all day 25k race is definitely not one where you want to run while injured.
Elite Men
Elite Women
