37? Odd number in more ways than one. I can only think of one thing significant about it - it was former Seattle Seahawk Running Back, Shaun Alexander's jersey number. It is also odd in it being where my running streak ends. :( 37 days straight running and now - no more. Over.
On the bright side - I am certainly not done with running. Hardly. Although this version of my Surf City Race had me doubting it all. Here is my official race report - in bullet form:
1. Family was sick for this trip. I was still getting over the Cruds some before getting to the Expo.
2. 4 hour drive across the desert on Saturday got us to the Expo in time to buy a hoodie and runner peep stickers for each member of the family on the back of the truckster. Yes, we are one of those annoying families. We even found one to represent our running Husky.
3. After a not so good dinner at Stonefire Grill -I was wishing we went to my SoCal favorite Island Burgers instead.
4. Back to the Hotel early and I crashed around 8:30 after getting in a one mile run.
5. Woke up exactly 3 hours later. Made a new friend - our Hotel rooms toilet. For the next 3 hours my lower digestive system was a constant giver to the sewer system of Orange County.
6. My family got me to the start well in time. It was supposed to be 7:45 AM. At about 6:00 AM after being dropped off, a very normal looking middle age woman approached me pointing to a banana in my hand, saying (in all seriousness) - "watch out for that, it can be dangerous." Hmm...? Yeah still trying to figure that one out, but it was the only humorous thing until seeing a man with a watermelon on his head (see yesterdays post).
7. The race WAS to start at 7:45. It actually started at 8:17. My wave crossed the line around 8:30. So, that's 2 hours and 30 minutes of nothing but trying to stay awake. I was really exhausted before I even started. Nice conversation with some 30ish age dudes who still acted like they were at a Frat Party in college. Do, Frat guys ever grow up? I was never in one, but they all fit the same stereotype to well - even in their 30's. Turns out the whole race for these 4 guys, was, of course - wait for it - a dare after a night of too much beer Halloween night. They were originally shooting for the Full. Lucky me instead.
8. It was over for me before my race started. I was tired, legs were heavy just stretching them and my head was pounding/swimming with lack of sleep and cough meds.
9. De-hydration. I knew it was going to be an issue once I passed a few water stations who were out of cups. Water they had - cups no. Next one which did, had Vitalyte in them. Mine tasted like pure concentrate. The sugar overload went right to my gut and out. Ugh! Sorry fellow runners.
10. By mile 9 it was just finish mode no matter how slow. Just get it done. However, from that point on - it hurt. Stomach, Head was throbbing and felt sick as a dog.
11. FINISHED! slowest race in sometime. Crossing the finish was emotional. I was really hurting - primarily stomach and head. Saw my wonderful wife and kids - then yes - I cried. I am guy not afraid to say it! I cried. I honestly thought I was not going to make it. Not just to finish the race - finish period. I had never felt sooo much joy in seeing my wife and kids.
12. Slowly walked around with family after drinking a bottle of water. Walking the beach pathway back to the truckster I was in going to heave or pass out mode, or both. As we got closer to the Truckster it started to feel better.
13. We drove from there to get some ice for my Achilles. After that straight to Balboa to hit the beach. My wife driving she, had to hit the brakes hard for someone pulling out in front of her.
BANG!BOOM!POW!
Right at that moment as my body and head jerked forward everything started going white around me and my entire body was fuzzy. I was so light headed I don't know how I did not pass out. We were at the Beach parking lot at this point - luckily - it was Super Bowl Sunday. Plenty of parking. I sat in the parking lot for the next 40 minutes or so drinking down bottle after bottle of water (4 large ones, not the 16.8 ounce ones), with a cold water soaked pillowcase on my head. Sucking on pretzels as well for the salt. Scary moment for my wife and kiddos.
13.1 - After napping some in the parking lot, I made it out for some beach time and cold water Pacific Ocean body soak.
Hydration.
The thing is I was taking it in along the way. I also had my Endurolyte pills which I took in every 35-40 minutes. I have not had any hydration issues at a race since my first in 13 years - Disneyland Half Marathon over three years ago now. Was it the cold meds? Was it the lack of sleep? Was it the endless potty time the night before? Was it throwing up instantly the Vitalyte. Was it too much California sun?
It could have been all of those things. I just know, it was NOT my dangerous threatening pre-race banana. :)
I was out of it though. For the first time my wife drove most of the way back home across the desert that afternoon/night. Listening to the Super Bowl of course. Yesterday, was not much better - today much better. I feel like running again.
So, no running yesterday. The streak is over. My body really needed a day of R and R. I did try though. I ran a few blocks last night, but my body said no more. Today, I am ready though. Ready to start a new streak of one mile or more each day. Ready for my next race as well.
Cheers!
On the bright side - I am certainly not done with running. Hardly. Although this version of my Surf City Race had me doubting it all. Here is my official race report - in bullet form:
1. Family was sick for this trip. I was still getting over the Cruds some before getting to the Expo.
2. 4 hour drive across the desert on Saturday got us to the Expo in time to buy a hoodie and runner peep stickers for each member of the family on the back of the truckster. Yes, we are one of those annoying families. We even found one to represent our running Husky.
3. After a not so good dinner at Stonefire Grill -I was wishing we went to my SoCal favorite Island Burgers instead.
4. Back to the Hotel early and I crashed around 8:30 after getting in a one mile run.
5. Woke up exactly 3 hours later. Made a new friend - our Hotel rooms toilet. For the next 3 hours my lower digestive system was a constant giver to the sewer system of Orange County.
6. My family got me to the start well in time. It was supposed to be 7:45 AM. At about 6:00 AM after being dropped off, a very normal looking middle age woman approached me pointing to a banana in my hand, saying (in all seriousness) - "watch out for that, it can be dangerous." Hmm...? Yeah still trying to figure that one out, but it was the only humorous thing until seeing a man with a watermelon on his head (see yesterdays post).
7. The race WAS to start at 7:45. It actually started at 8:17. My wave crossed the line around 8:30. So, that's 2 hours and 30 minutes of nothing but trying to stay awake. I was really exhausted before I even started. Nice conversation with some 30ish age dudes who still acted like they were at a Frat Party in college. Do, Frat guys ever grow up? I was never in one, but they all fit the same stereotype to well - even in their 30's. Turns out the whole race for these 4 guys, was, of course - wait for it - a dare after a night of too much beer Halloween night. They were originally shooting for the Full. Lucky me instead.
8. It was over for me before my race started. I was tired, legs were heavy just stretching them and my head was pounding/swimming with lack of sleep and cough meds.
9. De-hydration. I knew it was going to be an issue once I passed a few water stations who were out of cups. Water they had - cups no. Next one which did, had Vitalyte in them. Mine tasted like pure concentrate. The sugar overload went right to my gut and out. Ugh! Sorry fellow runners.
10. By mile 9 it was just finish mode no matter how slow. Just get it done. However, from that point on - it hurt. Stomach, Head was throbbing and felt sick as a dog.
11. FINISHED! slowest race in sometime. Crossing the finish was emotional. I was really hurting - primarily stomach and head. Saw my wonderful wife and kids - then yes - I cried. I am guy not afraid to say it! I cried. I honestly thought I was not going to make it. Not just to finish the race - finish period. I had never felt sooo much joy in seeing my wife and kids.
12. Slowly walked around with family after drinking a bottle of water. Walking the beach pathway back to the truckster I was in going to heave or pass out mode, or both. As we got closer to the Truckster it started to feel better.
13. We drove from there to get some ice for my Achilles. After that straight to Balboa to hit the beach. My wife driving she, had to hit the brakes hard for someone pulling out in front of her.
BANG!BOOM!POW!
Right at that moment as my body and head jerked forward everything started going white around me and my entire body was fuzzy. I was so light headed I don't know how I did not pass out. We were at the Beach parking lot at this point - luckily - it was Super Bowl Sunday. Plenty of parking. I sat in the parking lot for the next 40 minutes or so drinking down bottle after bottle of water (4 large ones, not the 16.8 ounce ones), with a cold water soaked pillowcase on my head. Sucking on pretzels as well for the salt. Scary moment for my wife and kiddos.
13.1 - After napping some in the parking lot, I made it out for some beach time and cold water Pacific Ocean body soak.
Hydration.
The thing is I was taking it in along the way. I also had my Endurolyte pills which I took in every 35-40 minutes. I have not had any hydration issues at a race since my first in 13 years - Disneyland Half Marathon over three years ago now. Was it the cold meds? Was it the lack of sleep? Was it the endless potty time the night before? Was it throwing up instantly the Vitalyte. Was it too much California sun?
It could have been all of those things. I just know, it was NOT my dangerous threatening pre-race banana. :)
I was out of it though. For the first time my wife drove most of the way back home across the desert that afternoon/night. Listening to the Super Bowl of course. Yesterday, was not much better - today much better. I feel like running again.
So, no running yesterday. The streak is over. My body really needed a day of R and R. I did try though. I ran a few blocks last night, but my body said no more. Today, I am ready though. Ready to start a new streak of one mile or more each day. Ready for my next race as well.
Cheers!
7 comments:
So sorry about the crud and the other....issues! I've been there.
I've read several race reports on this one and no one felt it was their best race. I wonder if it was just jinxed this year.
Anyway, I'm glad you took a rest day and took off some of the pressure of the streak.
Wow, that does not sound like fun at all. I am sorry that you had such a hard time of it during and after the race.
Listen to your body and take as much time as you need.
Oh wow, such mental and physical nightmare!!!
EVERYTHING dehydrated you - except that banana! I'm just amazing you saw it through.
And yes, frat boys never grow up - did you ever see the Hood to Coast documentary?
I saw your comment on Tara's blog today and read that you have a Husky. I had to stop by to say hi, because I too am a Husky owner. I call her my marathon trainer!
Sounds like a very tough race! I can't believe you had it in your to keep going and finish it.
I am soo impressed you pushed through and finished the race! What's that they say, "That which doesn't kill you makes you strongr."? Yea right. Blech! (What moron made that up?)
Good job!
Wow. That bug hit you hard. I'm not sure I would have toed that starting line after that kind of night. I say all of the above on the reasons for such massive dehydration. Glad to hear the worst is behind you and you're feeling better.
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