Race number 4 in 4 weeks, and the previous 3 were DNS (do not starts). I was frustrated to say the least, but resting recovering and trying to get back on track was the smarter decision. I’d had a double ear infection and sinus infection (3 rounds of antiobiotics and 3 weeks later…ugh), and was pretty exhausted due to work and my last campaign. There were a few stipulations from the coach on racing, it had to be a “training day” AND i had to get ALL my workouts in that week. Fair enough.
The great thing was they had a kids fun run the night before, and my son did his first 1.5 mile run! He even got to match mommy with his Trisports.com shirt. Thx Debbie!! So how could I disappoint when you can see below he ran his heart out all to beat a girl:)! It was also his 4th birthday the next day, nothing like jam packing a weekend!
I’m prefacing this report by saying, this was the most energetic upbeat trail race I have ever been to. The volunteers were phenomenal, the race director did a fabulous job for the first year, and you could tell everyone wanted you leaving with a smile on your face. I’m not so sure I did…..to no fault of theirs.
I’d done a 10 mile run a week or two prior and clearly thought another 5 (really 6+) miles wasn’t that big of a deal, I should’ve known better. The race started at 9am, and although it was nice to sleep in, the heat and thickness of the air did me no favors. The course was a 2 mile loop, I managed to stay on course until my 3rd loop (see Matt it can happen!!) and followed a girl the wrong way. Atleast I was still feeling good, trying to take it easy but realizing the 2 mile loop was a little too long to go without drink. I’d been having tummy issues and thought the course was a 1.5 mile loop so didn’t wear any hydration. Mistake #1,245,999,999 . Kerrie Sijon was doing the relay and was nice enough to let me bum a handheld. The damage was already done though. I over compensated drinking too much, and by loop 5 was getting dizzy and puking. Puking in front of some nice family on a nature hike is never fun. It was awful. I couldn’t find anywhere to sit down. I’d not remembered feeling this bad even in Ironman! All I could keep thinking is how can this be so bad and it’s only 16 miles?! People out there were doing 100. Yep 100 miles.
Long story short, I survived, I finished, and much due in part to some great teammates and friends that happened to be out there volunteering that day. Melinda, Melanie, Lori, Kerrie, and Chris you all had some part of saving my day. Melinda, for the record, it’s not called sleeping in that situation, it’s called passing out:)! Just so you all realize how long it took me to complete this, by the time I got in the car my husband had blown up my phone wondering if he needed to call hospitals. I’m pretty sure I’ve done marathons in the time it took me to do this run. Below is the BEFORE and AFTER. You clearly know which is which:).
