How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Wild Wild Wilderness Trail Race

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Location:

Eugene,OR,USA

Member Since:

Nov 09, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

  • 5k PR - 18:48 (7/04/08)
  • 8K PR - 33:46 (5/19/07, on trails)
  • 10k PR - I have not run a competitive 10K yet.
  • 12K PR - 50:10 (8/09/08)
  • 15K PR - 1:04:52 (3/22/08)
  • Marathon - Have run 1 trail marathon, (Grand Island) 3:55 (July 2007)
  • Ultra Marathons -
  • Farmdale 33.5 miles, 10/08 - 6:08
  • Riddle Run 28 Miles, 01/09 - 5:35 (run in 2-3 inches of snow)
  • Devil's Lake 50k, 07/09 - 6:22
  • Howl at the Moon 8 hour, 08/09 - 39.98 miles
  • North Country Trail Run 50 miles, 09/09 - 9:44
  • Farmdale 32 miles, 10/09 - 5:45
  • McNotAgain 30 Miles, 10/09 - 5:50
  • Red Rock Canyon Half, Las Vegas, 06/12 - 2:15


Short-Term Running Goals:

Keep running in the winter - 1st year in Eugene - fun!

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep on Keeping on..

Personal:

Moved to Eugene in Autumn, 2012 - Track city USA!

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: Wild Wild Wilderness Trail Race (7.55 Miles) 00:01:00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.000.007.550.0010.55

Weather - 78 degrees, sunny, humid.

Ken W. asked me how I did after the race, and I responded "this is one to forget". During my warm up I felt well enough, noticing how strong my legs were. However, I was mindful that my allergies have been interrupting my sleep, the evening before the race I sat up from 2:00-5:00am.  I was also aware that I should be in rest mode at this point in the season, so I was not mentally ready to give a 100% effort, and I was satisfied to run at 80%.

That is how I started the race, leisurely and comfortable, passing the first mile in 7:25. I picked it up a bit, probably running 7:00 pace for miles 2 & 3. During mile 4 I experienced the awful sensation of having the body shut down. It felt similar to mile 19 in last years trail marathon, which I described as hitting the wall - pace slowing drastically, having no choice but to walk the uphills, and then the final insult of injuring my foot during the last 2 miles, which put me out of commission for 6 weeks.

However, hitting the wall at mile 4 seems ridiculous, so I knew that it was not caused by too much effort expended and a subsequent draining of glycogen, after all, I was running comfortably, giving only about 80% effort.

As I continued to slow down during mile 5, I recalled my first half marathon a few years ago. I ran it with Melinda, not racing, but rather just strolling along comfortably at 9:00 pace.When we hit mile 11 I felt the body shutting down, just like today. I could no longer keep pace with Melinda at 9:00/mile, and was struggling to run 10:00 pace. I wanted to desperately stop, but being my first half marathon, I stubbornly trudged along, finishing in an inglorious 2:07.

A few hours after the half marathon I was struck with symptoms of heat stroke - excess perspiration dripping from my face, the need to vomit, and the feeling that I was going to lose consciousness.  I iced myself in the tub to bring down the fire burning inside of my body, and was fortunately able to recover my normal body temperature.

By mile 6 in today's race I knew I was suffering from the first signs of heat exhaustion, which could possibly lead to heat stroke. I knew I had to take the final 1.5 miles easy to avoid a repeat of the half marathon. I slowed down to 9:30 pace and trudged along in misery, wanting desperately to walk. Perhaps I should have walked, but I was too stubborn and kept on with the wall-like death march. From the point in the race where my pace slowed I traded leads with Joe P., a friendly guy in his mid 20's. At Mingo I finished 6 minutes ahead of Joe, but today he was enjoying his revenge. I was actually surprised to be even with Joe with 800m to go, but he then started his final sprint to the finish, and all I could do was recall my 800m effort at the X-Terra race last month and wish for a better day. The last 800m was humbling, I was staggering like a drunk, and slowing to what felt like 10:00 pace. I was barely hanging on as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 runners passed me in a span of 10 seconds. During the final 100m one of the race volunteers observed my pathetic pace and said, "come on, you can go faster than that!" I tried to smile and instead went slower, going into the chute in 1:00.

Considering that I ran this same course in January in 59:00 in muddy slop, I feel kind of good that I almost equaled that performance with heat exhaustion.

And so my last short race of the season is a memorable one for the wrong reasons, but that is why running is an exciting sport, I never know how I will perform on any given day.

Next up is the Farmdale 33 miler in 3 weeks. I will run slow and easy leading up to the race, hoping to recover my confidence in my running fitness and ability.

#317

Comments
From The Howling Commando on Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 07:52:29

Hey it's okay buddy. Not every race can be your best one! Especially when you do something crazy like run EVERY DAY for nearly a year! Focus on the prize :) Great health, nice body, OVERALL GOOD TIMES!!

From jtshad on Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 15:48:24

As was already said, not every race is an "on" race. You at least paid attention to the signals your body was sending...and listened. There will be other races, like a 33 MILER! Dang, now there is a run!

From Will on Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 20:06:17

Thanks for the comments. You guys are running great, enjoy the autumn weather!

From The Howling Commando on Wed, Oct 01, 2008 at 23:39:39

Will - you are going to be jacked .. 33 miles.. I calculated that in my car on the way to college today.. it took me 39 minutes to drive. I can't fathom being able to run that far. You are a testament to hard work and determination. Rock on buddy!

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