Each Day Is a Gift

Sounds like you have some things to "play" with for next time. Btw, what's your goal for Ogden? I think Mark's getting a bit nervous about it since he hasn't done any long runs as of late.

#1 is going to be an issue for me at Ogden as well. I couldn't run the hills I normally do because of the achilles.

Think seriously about #3. The headache and muscle cramps sound like an electrolyte imbalance and would not be helped with Ibuprofen.

Thanks for being such a great example for all of us to follow.

Kristi ~ Ogden goal? Finish w/ no cramps! That's it. I'm gonna treat all my Slam marathons as long runs and experiment w/ what works.

Mark still has time to put in one more long run this week. He will do fine if he has been putting in tempo runs. The last 10K of Ogden is always alot of work so if he paced himself right all the way to the canyon; then he can coast in w/o too much pain.

Andy ~ I took 3 electrolyte strips before heading to the corral. At the med tent, they took my blood sodium. It was 149, within normal range. Since my blood pressure was low and I didn't produce any tears when crying and my mouth was very dry, they ruled it dehydration. But the thing is I drank at every aid station, 1 gatorade & 1 water mostly and water w/ gu at the odd number station every 4 miles; so I thought I was hydrated well. It wasn't until I was on the cot that I perspired profusely, soaking thru 5 flannel blankets. I didn't need to pee either so I think I was either perspiring efficiently or my kidneys shut down (the medical term is NOT profusing due to low blood pressure). I did pee'd a ton, like every 15 to 30 min. during dinner that night and frequently the next couple days to rid of the 10 lbs of fluid retention. Wow, didn't meant for this response to be so long. Anyhow, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm lacking calcium.

Smooth,

You are pretty much the BEST EVER! You are my hero! Nice introspection...

Nice thoughts Smooth, I love your perspective on running!

I understand the "running your own race" thing the most! That is why, if I am racing for me, I have to be alone. I do not want to be paced and i do not want company at all. I just want to focus on the run!!!

Have you ever tried the PowerBar gels (they were giving them out at mile 17)? They seem to be easier to stomach. I also like the jelly beans!

You are an awesome runner, no matter which way you slice it!

Great thoughts Smooth! Thanks for sharing them. I couldn't agree more.

Kelli ~ I use PowerBar gels. They are my favorite kind b/c of the thinner consistency. I took gel at mile 5, 9, 13, 17 and 21 but just couldn't take any more. I think my stomach shuts down after 20 miles, and perhaps my kidneys too. I dunno.

Just for fun, I posted my AG Time from marathonguide.com.

*AG Time = Age-Graded Equivalent Time. It's fun to see that 3:15:24! :) Have never and will never ever run that time in my life-time.

So there, numbers are just fun. In the long scheme of things, it doesn't really matter.

Hey did you see the pic I posted last week of you and Scott? Such a cute running couple at the Bunker Hill Monument finish! :)

Smooth, you remind me of one of my very best friends who is so incredibly selfless with her running. She is who really encouraged me to start running. She will sacrifice her own race and time to run with someone that is slower or is struggling or is hurt, etc. She is a wonderful friend. I just want you to know that your (and her) selflessness doesn't go unnoticed. I copied and pasted what you wrote today and e-mailed it to her and she said that it was like she wrote it.

You are one great lady!

I don't know about you, but I've kinda been disappointed with 24 this season. Exercise caution when taking ibuprofen during a race--I've heard of some bad reactions. I need to get better informed on that too--I take Excedrin and that may not be all that good for me either!

Smooth - you are amazing! You bring joy to everyone you run with! I'm also fairly certain that every once in a while you can go for a PR - for YOU! :)

Please rethink #3, several things I've read says to stay away from NSAIDs before and during a marathon -- it can possibly cause kidney failure during exercise -- by possibly reducing blood flow to the kidneys ("Lore of Running", Tim Noakes)

You are such an inspiration!!!!

I like your analysis Smooth.

Do you always use that many gels in a marathon?

KP ~ THANKS for your kind words. I'm happy to hear that you have such a wonderful friend. I want to meet her someday and you too! :)

Marc ~ That's the great thing about running, there's always another chance and another race to PR!

I am rethinking NSAIDS. I kept thinking about what might cause the puffiness the two days before and the only thing I could think of that I did differently was the AdvilPM I took the nights before so that I could sleep. Hmmm, Tim Noakes is right about the kidneys. THANKS for pointing it out. No NASIDS for me.

Cal ~ I usually use 4 gels in most marathons; but Boston started much later and I think I used up alot of energy staying warm for 3 hours and weaving around runners the first 5K and keeping track of my running partners. My BIL swears by proper carb-loading and taking in fuel, he has never bonked in all the marathons he's run. I wanted to take another gel at mile 24 or 25 but the pain over-ride the hunger. Usually I'm femished when I cross the finish line and could eat anything. Wow, sorry for the long response!

I have a sort of theory that the bigger the runner the more carbs are needed during a marathon. I've thought that I could probably benefit from 5 or 6 gels in a race, but usually 4 is about the most i can stomach.

YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR!!!!! That is so cool!!

Since you run so many marathons a year, maybe you can experiment. Someone somewhere told me to not take any gels in a marathon until mile 13. That is what I have always done and it has worked for me. After that first one, I take one around 17, 21, and maybe one more if I am fading at the end, but usually that is it.

You realize that with that age graded equivalent you beat me (my AG only takes me down 4 minutes) by over 10 minutes!!! See, I told you that you are super fast!!!