Short version:
Injured hamstring at 2.5 miles into the race. The two days leading up to race day (especially all day Friday) my right leg hurt (must have been all 10 of those miles I did over five days). It felt ok Saturday morning but then after running on the beach at the start and heading up to the top of the cliff the hammy let go. I decided to run as best I could to the aid station where my friend Stephanie was coming to watch me (28.5 mile) and see how it went. Well, it went ok. I was hitting my splits for a 9:30 finish through the first three hours but it was excruciating to the point where I was altering my gait and getting really frustrated. I saw Steph and kept going but after 2 or so miles I decided I didn't want to make her wait there for four hours (what it would've taken me to make the turn around and get back down to mile 42), so I took off my bib and hobbled back down. So, 32 miles in 5 hours.
It's obviously frustrating, especially when I think about how great I felt week after week of 75-90 mile weeks and then I take the week of rest and.... whatever. It's probably a combination of "racing" that worthless 5k last Sunday and sitting on my butt for 8 hours a day for training at work. It was a postcard perfect day and the views were amazing. The people were great and the course is 2nd to none.
I feel badly about letting down Minto & Wilkie, the insurance co. that made this trip for me possible. Marty Pomerantz (one of the head guys of the company) is a class act and would be happy to discuss good rates on insurance for any ultra runner who doesn't have insurance.
And I feel badly that Steph came all the way out to that aid station (if you've ever driven the winding road out to Bolinas, you know what I'm talking about). She was super supportive and kind. I had a great time with her this weekend and I appreciate her tremendously.
So, I guess I'll see how I feel after a couple days and get back on that horse.
Sorry to read about the hamstring issue. I'm not a big fan of running on beach sand like that, if anything is wrong/injured it seems to finish the job. In my opinion you made a very good, albeit difficult, call on pulling out when you did. There is just to much beautiful running in CO during the summer to waste being injured. Heal up. Maybe we should start stretching; just a little.
ReplyDeleteD.
Bummer man. I remain amongst many who are generally mystified by the roll of the dice nature of some days ... particularly race days.
ReplyDeleteMan, for an injured guy, you sure flew through that first 32. I guess at least you weren't running at the front and then got lost because the race director didn't mark a turn well enough. But it sounds like you did make the right decision and I'm sure that will be (bitter-tasting but strong) fuel for your next 100K and make the next one that much more sweet to finish. You've got more fans than you think, so hang in there!
ReplyDeleteF#ck that fu**ing sh!t... damn race day devils. Smart call for sure. A TORN hamstring and I would have had to put you down.
ReplyDeleteGuess it was a bad day if you name happens to be Tim. That really sucks, sorry to hear that your hamstring gave out, what timing. Nice work though sticking it out for 32 miles, hope that did not set you back at all. Rest/heal up, we have lots of fun mountain running to do this summer.
ReplyDeleteSorry Tim.... I kept scouring the internet for results of the race hoping to find your name among the top 10... now I know. The truth to the matter is that you made the right call. AND you're fit so recovery will be fast so you can get back on that horse.
ReplyDeleteHope to see you soon on the trail
Sorry for the disappointing day Tim. Good call on pulling from the race, though. Too much good running season left ahead to be seriously injured.
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to barge in on the 'man talk' on Sat :-) - may I give my two cents? 1. 5k's on pavement are indeed very evil, actually all pavement is evil for that matter, avoid at all costs! 2. Invest in a can of tennis balls to keep at work to sit on and stealthily rigger point/roll on around on the offending areas.
ReplyDeleteKeep your chin up - there will be many more opportunities for good races for you in the future.
Maybe we'll all get together for a run one of these next weekends?)
Bummer, Tim. Would have been great to see you go 9:30.
ReplyDeleteBack on the horse. This just means the "you're due" notion
has more and more relevance.
Next.
Thanks folks. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteTim
Nice seeing you out there, albeit briefly. I figured I would see you flying back by me at some point, but now I know why I didn't. Good luck healing up, altho I'm sure it'll be quick. I went into it w/ some hamstring issues, but the course seemed to fix mine somehow.
ReplyDelete