In my room trying to sleep. Can't seem to wind down. The short story is I didn't finish. I ran 6 loops and just couldn't do any more. Why? I hurt, I couldn't keep anything down, and I was dizzy and wobbling. I wanted it to stop, so I did. More after I get some sleep and drive to San Antonio.
Ok, I'm in San Antonio and I guess it's time for the longer version. I tried to nap before the race last night, but was unable to. It's just hard to change my routine, and I try never to nap because it makes it hard for me to go to sleep later. I got up and drove to the site around 11:00. I felt good at that time and then at midnight we were off. My goal was to hold 30 minute 5k's but to do the first loop just a little slower. Give things and people time to shake out. First loop around 31 minutes and not feeling bad. Second loop still feeling ok and pick up the pace just a bit. Finished in 29 and have my average where I want it. Third loop, working hard. Still on pace, but not feeling great. I've been drinking water and Heed at every aid station, two per loop. Fourth loop, not feeling well and had to start walking. Head was hurting, and couldn't drink anything but water, anything else to drink or eat just made me nauseous. I felt like quitting, but told myself I have to at least make 25k. Fifth loop, felt terrible, head hurt, legs hurt, feet hurt, and was dizzy. Kept drinking, lost it twice, but kept going. Decided I was going to drop at the end of this loop. I came through somewhere around 40 minutes. I decided to sit down for awhile and just see if I felt better. After 10 or 15 minutes I was going to turn in my chip, but instead started on the sixth lap. Again I was walking as much as running, still dizzy and unsteady. I decided I would drop this time. Around 45 minutes for this loop. I almost dropped when I went through the timing map but again decided to sit down and see if things would get better. After about 20 minutes I still didn't feel any better, so I dropped.
I was bummed out about this, but today I still feel like I made the right decision. I can't explain what happened, I've gone farther than this in training, but things just didn't go right. I don't know if it was the heat, if I was sick before I started and it just got worse. I just don't know. I feel ok today, just the usual soreness and some fatigue but no different than if I had run 20 miles in training. This was my first DNF and I hope it doesn't make another one easy. But for now I'm not dwelling on the negative.
7 comments:
I'm very sorry you had a DNF!!! Blame it on the heat!!
Sometimes it just doesn't happen! At least for me, that is!! Some races are good some suck! Some runs are great some SUCK!!!
Stay positive!! It just wasn't your day!!
You have my sympathy for a tough night. What would you have proved by NOT listening to your body. It wasn't your first 50k and it wasn't your A race for the year. Try not to play the what if game too much in the coming weeks - somedays it just isn't our day
You proved you're a smart runner and I believe you will be a better runner for the experience.
Joel
Reese,
DNF's happen, just caulk it up to experience. You listened to your body, which was the smart thing.
I hate DNF's too but ehy happen.
MJ
you made the right decision in listening to your body.
Chalk it up to another training run. Careful though, it does get easier...I could tell some stories, but this is your blog.
Don't get discouraged.
PS. You doing the Bluff Creek ultra?
I gave you the rash of crap on the phone so I'll be nice here.
Actually I'm proud of you that you had the courage to stop. Way to listen to you body.
You're still a complete wussy-man but I secretly admire your courage to suffer the wrath of people like me!
C-ya soon I hope.
I am sorry to hear about your DNF, but I think you have exactly the right attitude. Both about stopping when you did (I wouldn't have made it that far) and with how you are moving forward. The next race will be all that much the better for it.
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