How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

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.

Weather - 72 degrees, sunny.

Was not sure how I was going to fare today. Felt weak and lethargic starting the run, but after a mile I felt normal. So the heat exhaustion symptoms did not set me back too much. 

After thinking about yesterdays race, and even the previous 5k, I have concluded that next year I should end my racing season when my allergies begin, which is early September. I will run all easy days until I feel normal, which is around the beginning of November. So I will have 2 months to recover from a long summer of training and racing. It seems like a good plan, as there is no point in trying to run hard when I can't sleep or breathe normally.

Maybe it is a mistake to run the Ultra, but I am already registered, and the most that can happen is I feel tired and sluggish, and stop before the finish line.

After running 2 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 25 minute walk home.

#318

Weather - 63 degrees, sunny.

3 easy miles around the neighborhood. 

#319

Weather - 65 degrees, sunny.

2 easy miles, just taking it easy.

My crash at last Saturday's race has my subconscious mind worried. Last night I dreamt I was racing around a track and after a couple of laps experienced another body shutdown. I am wondering if I have lost my ability to sustain a hard pace for longer than a mile or two. I realize my allergies are the cause of this, and once they subside in November I will hopefully return to normal health, but it is unnerving to lose the ability to run hard in such a short amount of time.

#320

Weather - 62 degrees, sunny.

3 easy miles.

If I try to go faster than 8:00/pace my breathing becomes erratic and my heart rate accelerates more than it should. I guess my body is telling me this is the month to take it easy.

#321

Weather - 75 degrees, sunny.

Before my race crash last week I was planning to run a moderate long run today. The race taught me I am incapable of running fast during my allergy season, so I decided to find out if I was also incapable of running long.

I set out at 12:00pm sharp with the intent of running until extreme discomfort set in. The first few miles were slow and easy, at mile 4 I did some 200m sprints and my heart responded by over-acclerating its rate. I slowed down and decided to run easy for the rest of the run.

At the 3 hour mark I found myself in the middle of a South farms corn field. I stopped, telling myself I could not take another step. I thought of Dean K.'s method of picking a spot to run to. I decided to run 30m to a shrub. When I got to the shrub I picked a small tree and ran to that. I continued to do this for another 20 minutes until I reached Anderson Street, and then walked 30 minutes home.

On my run I realized that the reason I can't run fast is because the passages in my lungs are constricted, hence my body can't get enough oxygen. This is similar to training at altitude, and the inability to run fast at altitude. When looked at this way, I don't mind so much having to struggle to run 8:00 pace.

It has now been a month of "altitude" training, and I want to get off the mountain and run free again. To do this I must get my lungs back to normal. Meds might work but they cause unwanted side-effects. A possible solution is to restart my meditation practice. Sitting still for an hour breathing deeply has a calming effect on mind and body, and it just may relax the lungs enough to allow an improvement in oxygen flow.

It is 2 weeks to Farmdale, if I meditate for an hour every day I may see some improvement by race day. I will hope for the best.

#322

Weather - 70 degrees, sunny.

3 easy miles and 3 sets of strength exercises. 

No leg soreness from yesterdays long run. I am happy that my legs are able to withstand such a beating.

#323