Self-Inflicted White Rock Ultramarathon - Not Quite!

If you've been following this blog you know I missed my last race due to illness, then decided to turn the White Rock Marathon into a 56 mile Ultramarathon by running to and from the race (see previous posts below).  Well, it almost happened, but not quite.

I did get up at 4:00 AM on Sunday to start my journey.  I had coffee and breakfast, got dressed, and was out the door by 5:10 AM.  The race started at 8:00 AM so I planned to take about 2 hours and 30-40 minutes, leaving me 10-20 minutes before the official start.

The run to the race was great.  You can see my route here.  It was quiet and peaceful, although it was very windy.  The wind was out of the South so it was blowing in my face most of the time.

At one point I stopped at a McDonald's to refill my water bottle and use the restroom.  I was wearing my race bib (number) at that time.  As I ran through the McDonald's parking lot two women got out of their car.  They were wearing half marathon bibs.  You could tell they were totally confused to see someone running with a race bib about 8 miles from the actual race.  It was funny.

I arrived at the race in plenty of time, stood around waiting for the start, then finally the starting gun fired and there was more waiting to actually get to and cross the starting line.  I started the nice easy run/walk pattern (run 0.9 miles, walk 0.1 miles) that I had been using all morning.  The race was going well until around mile 10, when I started feeling nauseous and full.  My stomach felt tight and I didn't feel like eating or drinking.  This is a consistent problem for me when I eat only sweet things (I was eating Power Gels, Jelly Belly Sports Beans and the new Power Bar Gel Blasts).  I need to find an energy source I can carry that is not primarily sugar.

Anyway, after another couple of miles I needed to find a port-a-potty.  I had to use the restroom and was really feeling nauseous.  Not good!  I asked a volunteer where the next port-a-potties were but she didn't know.  Finally as I approached mile 11 or so I found some.  As I ran to the potties there was a band playing, and this is what they were playing ("Where Did Our Love Go?" by The Supremes):

I've got this burning, burning
Yearning feelin' inside me
Ooh, deep inside me
And it hurts so bad.

Yep, that's about how I felt.  I used the port-a-potty but couldn't throw up (and if a port-a-potty won't make you throw up I don't know what will).  I started walking more and running less.  This slowdown continued through the marathon halfway point (13.1 miles, which for me was mile 28).  I had been hoping to finish the marathon in five hours but I was pretty sure that wouldn't happen.

Around mile 14 I ran into some women from one of my past Team in Training groups.  They were following a 5:30 pace group (an experienced runner runs a preassigned pace and people who want to run that pace can run with the pacer).  They were running five minutes and walking one minute.  I started running with them and that worked well for a while, but I still didn't feel well and wasn't eating enough to maintain the effort.  Finally around mile 18 (mile 33 for me) I dropped back and started walking more.  

I walked most of the rest of the race with occasional bursts of running.  I was really tired and still felt nauseous and a little dehydrated since I wasn't eating or drinking enough due to the nausea.  It was discouraging to walk so much, but at least I was going to finish.  However, I knew I would never have the energy to run home another 15 miles.  I also felt what I thought were blisters on both feet (they turned out to be hot spots, so that was good).  I finally got into downtown Dallas which meant I was within a couple of miles of being finished.  I ran most of the last mile and ran across the finish line.  Finally finished in a time of 5:48:41, my slowest marathon ever (1:26 slower than my fastest marathon and 52 minutes slower than my next slowest marathon).  But I did run 15 miles before, so I wasn't too upset.  Here is a map of my marathon race before the batteries in my watch died.

At the finish I ran into a lot of my friends from Team in Training and I hung out and cheered for some of the last finishers.  Then I caught a ride home, ate a LOT and had a hot bath and a cold beer (both of which are supposed to be bad for you after running, but who cares!).

Total for the day:  41.1 miles, 8 hours, 27 minutes, 1 second, pace of 12:21 per mile.  Pretty slow.

So I still didn't achieve my goal of 50 miles to keep me on track with my racing and fundraising.  I may be able to make it up in February, but I'm not sure yet.

Finally, please look at this incredibly inspirational picture taken by the wife of a member of my running club, the North Texas Trail Runners.

That's one of the things I love about running.  There are so many different types of people out there, each testing their own abilities and their own limits.  These guys are dealing with challenges I can't even imagine, but they're out there giving it their all and pushing themselves.  Such an inspirational image.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported me, both financially and with encouragement and support.  You guys make my efforts worthwhile!

Bid for the Cure: "Archived" American Girl Doll for Sale

My wife has found herself in possession of an extra Samantha doll from American Girl.  Samantha has been "archived" or discontinued and is no longer available.  This doll is in the original packaging which shipped directly from American Girl and has never been opened.  The set also includes six Samantha books.  Everything is brand new and never opened.

If you or someone you know would like to bid on Samantha please visit this eBay page to place a bid.  ALL monies raised will go toward my fundraising efforts on behalf of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Athletes for a Cure.  So bid early and bid often!

Thanks.

Self-Inflicted White Rock Ultramarathon

If you've been reading my blog you know that last weekend was supposed to be the third race in my Race Against Prostate Cancer (SunMart 50 mile) but I was sick and had to skip it.

Now I'm well and looking for ways to still meet my goal of one ultra per month for seven months.  Unfortunately there aren't any more ultras nearby this month so I'm going to get creative.

This Sunday I will run the White Rock Marathon.  I'm excited about this race - it's always fun to run in my hometown, and I will see tons of people I know.  That is always a great experience.  However, a marathon is not an ultramarathon.  So to accomplish my goal I will run to the White Rock Marathon, run the marathon, then run home.  It's about 15 miles from my house to the American Airlines Center where the race starts and finishes, so that means I will run about 56 miles in total.

For some reason I'm really nervous about this, even though I've run longer distances in the past.  First of all, it will all be on pavement and concrete, so that will be hard on my body.  But also I'm nervous about running 30 miles alone (I should point out that I'll be running up and down busy streets so I'll never be alone, but I'll be the only one running my "event").

The good news is that there will aid everywhere!  Restaurants, convenience stores, Starbucks.  I'll even run by Krispy Kreme twice.  So I plan to carry my credit card with me and stop frequently for "aid".  

Thanks to EarthRunner on Twitter for the title of my race.  He jokingly called it a Self-Inflicted Ultra and I liked the name.

So wish me luck.  And if you happen to be driving near my route and see me, feel free to toss me some food or a beer (Shiner Hefeweizen is always appreciated).

Thanks again to all of my supporters and donors.  I've received several more donations this month!  I've reached 42% of my goal ($1,844) and I've received another $1,338 in pledges.  That's a total of $3,182 raised or committed, all thanks to your generosity.  So thanks again.

I'll post an update Sunday night!

Skipping SunMart

Unfortunately I'm skipping SunMart due to illness.  I travelled to Milwaukee for work this week and Wednesday I started feeling bad.  I started loading up on vitamins, oranges and orange juice, and I got lots of sleep Wednesday night, but I only felt worse on Thursday.  Thursday I did not sleep AT ALL (which is not like me) and by Friday morning I was feeling pretty bad.  I flew back home this morning and am planning to rest and recover this weekend.  I might try to run the White Rock Marathon next weekend if I am feeling better.

However, that leaves my short one ultra in my Seven Ultras in Seven Months fundraising effort.  I may do an extra 50 mile race in February (the Rocky Raccoon 100/50 miler which is actually on much of the same trail as SunMart) to make up the difference.  I'm going to hunt around and see what the other options are.  But be assured that I will reach my mileage goal, and with your help I will also reach my fundraising goal!

Remember that for the rest of this year all of your donations are matched by The Safeway Foundation so if you have been considering donating this would be a great time to do so.  You can double your money!

Have a great weekend, get plenty of rest and avoid those cold and flu bugs!

Race #3: SunMart 50 Mile

This Saturday I will complete my third of seven races to raise money in the fight against Prostate Cancer:  SunMart 50 miler.  SunMart is a great race and one of the biggest ultras in the US (although by normal marathon standards this is a small race; last year there were 172 50 mile finishers and 522 50k finishers).  I've completed this race three times and am looking forward to running it again.  The race is held at Huntsville State Park in Huntsville, Texas.  The course is mostly shaded, mostly soft dirt (and often a lot of mud down by the lake) and not too hilly, so it's a pleasant run.  A great way to spend the afternoon.

Two of my good friends, Susan and Marla, are also running the 50 miler, and many of my friends from the North Texas Trail Runners and Team in Training will be running one of the distances.  It will be a good time to see familiar faces.

My training has been going well so I feel good about the race.  The only negative thing is that I have a busy week ahead at work.  I'll be flying to Milwaukee Tuesday afternoon.  I couldn't get a flight home Thursday night so I have to fly back early Friday morning, then hop in my car and head down to Houston for the packet pickup and pre-race dinner.  I'll get to spend the night with my Dad before heading to the race Saturday morning.  I'll spend the night in Houston again Saturday night and then head back to Dallas Sunday morning.  I'll probably be able to post my race results Sunday afternoon.

As always, thanks to YOU for your support and your financial donations.  The donations and pledges are still coming in but I need more to reach my goal.  So please take a minute to visit my donation page and make a secure online donation.  

Watch for updates on Sunday!

Rockledge Rumble 2008 Race Report

Today was the second race in my "Race Against Prostate Cancer" series:  the Rockledge Rumble 50k.  As I wrote previously, I've done this race four years in a row (four 50ks, one 30k).  I've never run the 50k (always walked in the past) so this was something new.  The course is the rugged and challenging North Shore Trail at Lake Grapevine.  I didn't have a firm goal, but I thought I might be able to finish under 6 hours, an 11:36 pace.  As you will see, that didn't happen.

First I headed to the last training for the Team in Training group I coach.  Next weekend is our last event of the season, the San Antonio Rock N Roll Marathon.  After saying hi to everyone I drove down the lake to the start of the Rumble.  I picked up my packet, visited the bathroom several times, then met two new friends from Twitter, rawdomer and triboomer.  Rawdomer was running the 50k; triboomer had to skip it due to an injury but came down anyway to meet up and hang out.

After some announcements we lined up, Race Director Tom Crull counted down to the start and we were off.  I could tell from my Garmin that I was going too fast, sub-11s, so I slowed down several times.  After a short section on asphalt road we hit the trailhead and started running on the trails.  I was able to keep my pace between 11:00 and 11:20 without much effort and stayed in that zone for a while.  The first third of the run was uneventful.  I slowed down on the last section of the trail before the first turnaround, but that section is the hilliest so I wasn't concerned.  I wouldn't have to run it again so I just did my best to walk the uphills and run the downhills without pushing too hard.  I was eating Caramel Power Gel and new PowerBar Gel Blasts.  I really like the flavor and the texture; they are not too sweet and don't make me sick to my stomach.

For the Rockledge Rumble you run about 9.5 miles out, then turn around and run back; then you run about six miles out on the same trail, then turnaround and head back to the start.  This gives you a great chance to pass everyone, see friends and cheer them on .  I ran the 9.5 miles back and could feel myself getting tired but I managed to stay pretty steady on this leg, but slowing a little.  My pace was slipping, and I was pretty sure I wouldn't finish under 6 hours.  So I adjusted my goal and decided to try and finish under a 12:00 pace.

I ran up the brutal steps to the start/finish area, grabbed a small donut and some chips, refilled my bottle and then headed back out.  This last out and back, about 12 miles, was going to be tough.  I had no significant pains, no blister hot spots, no problems other than being tired.  This is a common problem in my distance races so I think I'm doing something wrong, either training wrong, going out too fast, or not fueling properly.  I'm tired of having to walk so much so I'm going to try to figure out what is going on.

I did a lot of walking on this leg and saw my 12:00 pace slip out of my grasp.  At this point I gave up all goals except to finish.  I tried to run whenever I could but I just didn't have enough energy to run for long.  Even though I was walking up the hills they were very taxing and it was difficult to muster the energy to run down the other side.  But I kept at it, just moving forward.  Somewhere in this section I stopped at an aid station and drank some HEED, an energy/electrolyte drink popular with ultrarunners.  I don't really like HEED, and after I drank it I remembered why.  After leaving the aid station I felt nauseous and had several bouts of gagging/dry heaving.  I never threw up, thank goodness, and the heaving made me feel better.  But my stomach felt hard and uncomfortable, which was no fun.  It made it hard to run.

I finally reached the last turn around, meaning I had about 6 miles left.  I was still walking a lot but I managed to run a little more than I expected.  I was passed by two people and I ran behind one of them for a while, using him as motivation.  Eventually he pulled away and I was on my own again.  

I was again able to see all of my friends on the out and back, which was great.  Everytime I saw rawdomer he looked great and fast.  He was way ahead of me and ended up finishing in 5:33!

Finally I was getting close.  I realized if I ran more I could finish under 7 hours, so 7 hours became the new 6 hours.  I ran more, ignored my fatigue, got to the steps at the finish and sprinted up them as best as I could.  My unofficial time was 6:55:40.  RD Tom Crull gave me my finisher's award, a very pretty ceramic "medal" on a leather cord, and a bottle of "Rock and Guts Ale" microbrewed and bottled specially for the 50k finishers.  My bottle is in the fridge and should be cold by now.

After I got a bottle of water and grabbed a seat rawdomer came over to congratulate me.  He had hung out for about 1.5 hours to see me finish, which I thought was very cool!  I needed to pick up my dry cleaning and get ready for a trip tomorrow so I didn't hang around long.  

So I had a frustrating race, but I'd rather be out on the trails pushing myself than sitting around doing nothing.  Clearly I've got some issues in my training and racing that need to be resolved.  I'll use this as a learning opportunity and figure out what I need to do differently.

And that's the end of my report.

Best of all, this race raised $101.70 for the Race Against Prostate Cancer!  That's on top of the $1,334 that you guys have already donated.  Knowing that every mile, no matter how slow, was going to help battle prostate cancer made the entire day a huge success for me.

Thanks to everyone for all the support.  My next race will be in early December:  SunMart 50 miler.  I'll post additional details as we get closer to the day.

Race #2: Rockledge Rumble 50k

The second race in my "Race Against Prostate Cancer" series is this weekend:  the Rockledge Rumble 50k.  This is a great local race that I've done four years in a row (four 50ks, one 30k).  I've never run the 50k (always walked in the past) so this will be a new adventure.  The course is the rugged and challenging North Shore Trail at Lake Grapevine, so it is familiar territory - trail I've run or walked hundreds of times.  This is a great race with a nice course, great support, and lots of friends.

My training has been going pretty well.  The weekend before last I ran the Miracle Match Marathon in Waco, Texas, as a training run.  It was very hilly (and slow!), but those hills should serve me well in this weekend's race.  Yesterday I ran all around the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon with my Team in Training group.  Over the 13.1 mile course I ended up covering about 15.5 miles, and I did them all dressed like a hippie:

It was a long day (I was on the course for about 4 hours plus another hour of cheering at the end) but it was all worth it to see all of the proud participants completing their goal event.  When the final participant crossed the finish line they had already taken down all of the "official" finish line signs and equipment so we had our own TNT cheering section and held a toilet paper tape at the finish line for her to break.  It was fun and very emotional.

This week I will take it easy and run some easy miles, then rest up for the race.  I won't be twittering during this race but will post an update as soon as I can.

Thanks again to everyone who has donated and shown their support and encouragement.  It makes this whole effort worth it to know I'm raising money to fight Prostate Cancer and am supported by so many wonderful people.  So far, with your help, I've raised $1,284 and have received pledges of another $1,388!  Thanks to everyone for your generosity.  If you know anyone else who has been affected by Prostate Cancer please share my website with them.  I still need to raise $1,720 to meet my goal.  If you haven't donated yet you can make an easy, secure donation on my website.

Thanks!