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Inaugural Battle of the Boulevards 10K DNF RR

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Author	Topic: Inaugural Battle of the Boulevards 10K DNF RR
runningindc Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 04:01 PM Or how I failed miserably The short report: 8:30 a.m. Approx. 1400 runners DNF If you want to read a story: Well, I wasn’t going to write this RR. I like to write them when I have met my goals, but when I fail, I prefer to go lick my wounds quietly somewhere. Then I thought, good or bad, a RR is a RR. So here goes. I so wanted to do this 10K. I jump at the chance to run a new race. Plus, being a new race should be small right? Wrong. So, Wednesday I am hit with a stomach virus. All that went in suddenly came out and my body would not allow anything else to go in. Friday dawns and I feel somewhat better. Still no food or water allowed, but a bit more energy. Encouraged by this I went and got my packet. This was difficult and by the end I thought I would be one of those sick passengers that manages to shut the metro down while they are removed. I tough it out and get home. I say to self: (this is where the trouble starts, when I start thinking) I will not run unless the fever has broken. Sat. 5 a.m. alarm goes off, I wake up and stick thermometer in mouth. Fever broke. I assess the food and water situation. Body seems to want some…why even coffee sounds good. Yahoo. First solid food in days, it all stays down and I am going to run. Of course, I am considering in the back of my mind the fact that I have been 2 days with no food, very little water, have lost 6lbs (lets hope they don’t come back) and perhaps I am not quite ready to run 6.2 miles physically. But, hey food and water and I am off. I arrive and pick up my chip. I am over thinking this whole thing and really concerned about 1) I am dehydrated and it is 70 degrees and humid at 8:00 a.m., and 2) there are no porta pottys on the course, what if my breakfast decides it doesn’t want to stick around. Let’s not even consider the fact that I am not feeling very “peppy”. I get this brilliant idea that I need some Gatorade in me to combat the dehydration.About 15 minutes before the start, I drink half a bottle and add the remainder to my water bottle. Well, this might not have been the best thing for me to do. What happened next is what has done me in for the day. The Gatorade sat like a bowling ball in my tummy. Yep, just like a bowling ball. I gather at the start with the other 1400 runners and off I go, bowling ball tummy and all. I tell myself I will keep it slow and steady, and just make it. But I am not feeling so good. I get to mile one and I walk, so slow, that everyone, even the walkers pass me, as my body is rejecting the idea of doing anything physical. My tummy hurts and I am tired already. And we are doing the downhill portion. I will walk a few and then start running again. No big deal. Out of the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of a car behind me and turn around to see the police car. OMG, I am the last person. And everyone else is so far ahead of me. What to do. Buck it up I say, and you will get your wind back. That was the real problem. I never did have my wind to begin with. I walked, and I ran, but mostly I walked and then I got to the bottom of the hill (yes it is all downhill, some flat, then all uphill on the return) and said to self, this is not good. I may be able to make it out and back but at what cost? I have no energy, can barely run, and this is not fun. I stopped and told the volunteer that I could not go on. She asked if I was ok, what was wrong, I muttered just getting over the stomach flu. Did I need water? No. And I turned around and there was the policeman in his car looking at me, so kindly, and asked did I need a medic? (I thought, OMG I am so stupid to be out here, how could I even take up the medics valuable time), and I said no, I am fine I just can’t finish. My Gatorade bowling ball tummy and my lack of energy had me, I had gone 1.75 miles and now I will walk back to the start and turn my chip in (yes I wanted a ride back from the medic, yes I wanted to catch metro home ((I would pass 2 stations on my walk back)) and send the chip back, but I made the decision that I could walk slowly back and I would be fine). And so, I turn around and begin the walk back, all uphill, with tears streaming down my face. I am defeated. I know others would have continued on, with even greater obstacles, but I can not, I am a wimp. I have failed and it feels awful. But I will run tomorrow, 2 miles. And then, I will add a mile to that on Monday, and so on. Who knows what would have happened had I attempted to finish this race. Instead, I am home, gaining strength to run tomorrow (and trying very hard to keep those 6lbs away, I am finally at my goal weight). Oh yeah, almost forgot, my FR: New Brooks lavender singlet, new Brooks running skort with lavender stitching, new Brooks Ariel’s in blue and white, fetching garmin 305 with a blue wristband for it to rest on, white Enell “boob crusher” running bra and a white summer running hat. ------------------ Running in wellness Liz Lizs Profile [This message has been edited by runningindc (edited May-12-2007).] IP: Logged
roy c Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 04:17 PM Hey Liz We all have bad days, your's just happened to be on a race day. You were very brave to try but really, you should have remained at home and recovered properly. You are now doing the right thing and remember, there is always another race. Just remember the lesson learnt. Thanks for sharing this and get well soon. Roy IP: Logged
tomwhite Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 04:25 PM ...........hey, some of the most moving RR's we've had were the Ones nobody wanted to write....... ............you gave it your Best Shot.........and this ain't HollyWood,,,,,,sometimes it doesn't go the way you want.... The Effort is the Point,,,,,,,,the rest is Gravy.... ..........you ran a Gutsy Race that most Runners wouldn't have shown up for........very impressive........ ------------------ nothing takes the place of persistance.... [This message has been edited by tomwhite (edited May-12-2007).] IP: Logged
huskydon Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 04:44 PM Hi, I don't know that others would have continued on. You gave it your best shot, actually getting out there to run a significant portion of the race whereas most of us would have stayed in bed. It was probably best that you stopped, anyway, you might have gotten yourself more seriously sick had you continued. Anyhow, thanks for writing. You showed guts by trying to finish and by writing this and have certainly earned my respect. Take care, and go get'em next time. Huskydon [This message has been edited by huskydon (edited May-12-2007).] IP: Logged
tselbs Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 06:45 PM Wow, runningdc, you sure gave it a valiant effort. After what you went through with the stomach virus, it's amazing you got to the starting line and covered as much of the course as you did. Now, take care of yourself and recover. There will be lots of race opportunities and you will do well when you get to them. Congratulations on your perseverence and report. TomS ------------------ My Profile IP: Logged
Labduck Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 07:42 PM Liz, you gave the race a try, you did your best, and you wrote a beautifully aching report. I'm glad you decided to share with us. Thank you. ------------------ Labduck IP: Logged
SkipAZ Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 07:48 PM Sounds like the cards were stacked against you on this one Liz. I'm sorry. Sometimes I think it takes more courage to step off the course than to continue. I'm sure it was a hard thing to do but sounds like you did the right thing. Rest up and recover - the season is just starting, there will many more 10Ks that you can enjoy. Thanks for this post. While we may wish it, it's important to remember that all our races won't be PRs and some DNFs and bad days will happen to all of us sometime. Just take it in stride and move forward. Skip IP: Logged
predawnrunner Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 08:09 PM Oh Liz. I'm so sorry your heart was into this and your body didn't cooperate. You're pretty tough to even have attempted this race, and you did the right thing when it became clear that you were not well enough to continue. You are valiant to share your disappointment with us. Thank you. Now get all the way better so that you can start training for the next one. ------------------ Predawnrunner, aka mrs W.R.F. Beer IP: Logged
Tetsujin30 Cool Runner	posted May-12-2007 11:10 PM dc - as others have recently found out, pre-registering with no-refunds/no-transfers often unnecessarily entices/forces us into races that would otherwise be DNS's and then there are some favorite or charity/memorial or other events that seem to have to be done no matter what. However, it's not called quitting when personal, family, business, or other priorities make it necessary to DNS or DNF. It's called keeping running in its place in our lives. ps - while we all lose out when the gems of general applicability replete in RR's of PR's and other accomplishments don't get to be posted, we'd lose a lot more if the tough times didn't get to be shared either. Thank you. IP: Logged
SherieRanier Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 12:34 AM I made a deal with myself long ago. If I put in the effort to get dressed to run, and I put in the effort to start to run and I even put in the effort to actually run - but I don't finish, I'm still a winner. You made every effort, you have to listen to your body. Too many people will ignore their body and run anyway. You can't do that! You did the right thing. Sherie IP: Logged
Spareribs Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 01:33 PM Never, ever say that you failed. When you run a lot and have the courage to compete, every now and then you will enter a race where things don't work out, and you have the presence of mind to bail out and not do any damage. That is not failure to me. Failure is not having the courage to try. Congratulations on a solid effort, the fitness to run another day, and all that you learned about how to handle a difficult situation. Spareribs IP: Logged
Iapetus999 Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 02:15 PM Hey I had a terrible flu in Feb. I thought it had broke, tried to go running, made it a mile before I quit. A day or two later I was back in bed. I literally could not run for 2 weeks and lost like 8 lbs. When I started up again I had lost over a minute of my previous pace and it took 5 weeks of work to get it back. I think the rest did me good because since then I've been getting faster and faster and today I set a 5k PR. My point is that it's fine to take a break and get over what's in your system. I thought that the long break would ruin my season but I actually think it did a lot of good (and yes the weight came back ) ------------------ -Andy Competing in 5Ks IP: Logged
jemmama Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 04:42 PM Liz, your excellent report allowed us to feel your pain. So sorry, and hope you're feeling better. Sure, you felt awful, but hey, sounds like you looked fabulous. Save that great outfit for the next race! IP: Logged
Ileneforward Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 09:15 AM {{{{runningindc}}}}} <motherly scolding voice> 'young lady, what were you thinking?' <motherly scolding voice> You were very brave to try and accomplish this, and very brave to know when to walk away, and even braver to share this. But it is reports like this that we all need to read to have a richer understanding of each other and this crazy thing we do called running. Get well and get stronger. Thank you for this moving report. IP: Logged
johnmaas Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 12:07 PM Liz, Thanks for writing up your RR. Not every race experience is going to be good. My DW just had a DNF this weekend, but it was the correct decision. You have nothing to be ashamed of...you were ill and were not able to perform on that day. Count your blessings, as it appears that you do not have any lingering injuries from this, so you should be able to get back into training mode quickly. Start looking for the next race to sign up for! Good luck, John IP: Logged
breger1 Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 12:25 PM There was really no other decision to make Liz. You were coming off a significant case of the Flu and your body had no energy, food, or drink to get it through the race. You should be very proud of the fact that you wanted to do this, made it to the starting line, and did what your body would allow. No one can expect any more of themselves in these circumstances. You showed outstanding courage and commitment. Now get fully over the illness and thoroughly enjoy your next race, where you're healthy and ready to go. Bill ------------------ Bill's Profile IP: Logged
piejones Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 12:30 PM Twas a valiant effort. Not a wise one as it turned out, but it did show some fortitude. Good job. Now get well. And, mark this race on your calendar for next year. Redemption. IP: Logged
MarkGuy Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 12:55 PM Liz, I think you were brave to continue on as long as you did. I doubt many here would have continued on -- it was time to stop. You made the right decision. Thanks for deciding to write the RR. I hope you continue to recuperate. Mark IP: Logged
bobscamman Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 01:11 PM Liz: You deserve all the credit in the world for getting out there and trying. As many have already said, you didn't fail you simply couldn't finish. It happens, just chalk it up to experience and move on. You showed true courage to even drag your butt out there to give it a go. Here's hoping that you are feeling better and that you keep those extra 6 off. Better luck next time, and remember there will always be a next time! ------------------ My User Profile "Keep on Running" Bob [This message has been edited by bobscamman (edited May-14-2007).] IP: Logged
runningindc Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 02:02 PM You guys are great. Thanks so much for the heaps of positive feedback, it has really helped me. I am still not 100%, those 6lbs turned into 8 so I can now afford to but "some" back on. Mr. Ribs: your words mean a lot to me, thanks Andy: thanks for letting me know how you did. I will be sitting out for a few days yet, for sure. Ilene: motherly scolding welcomed on this one Jemmama: I did look fabulous, thanks (even tho I felt carpy) and everyone else, you put a simle on my face when I didn't want to smile at all. CR Boomers Rock!!! (back to bed with me now) ------------------ Running in wellness Liz Lizs Profile IP: Logged
perchcreek Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 03:02 PM Liz... You tested the water and it wasn't good so you bailed. Seems pretty normal to me. Even the elites bail. Look at the elites that bailed in the London Marathon (like Gebrselassie and Baldini). They know when not to run anymore. So did you! May the next one be great! perch IP: Logged
Canfit Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 04:48 PM You had the courage to write a tough RR. That says it all! There will be better days. You'll be back. Get well! PJ IP: Logged
UncleSteve57 Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 05:50 PM Liz, three things came to mind as I read you RR, and the many CR responses. 1. To bare your soul before your peers as you did demonstrates the highest levels of courage, honesty and integrity. It takes courage to do the tough job, but integrity to want to. You've got the right stuff Liz. 2. Everything everyone said about listening to your body, and knowing that everyone has bad days, it all applies to training runs as well as races. We can do just as much damage to ourselves on Wednesday as we can on the weekend. 3. I've read lots of very inspiring RRs on this site by folks who fought their way through severe illness or personal disasters to get to and/or finish a race. But there's no way to compare one person's adversity to another's, and there's a fine line between perserverence and self-destructiveness. As tomwhite so aptly put it, "this ain't HollyWood". Sometimes the life-script just sucks and we hate the ending. I've certainly had my share of those days. Well fine. The great thing about it is that we can shed our tears, learn our lessons and then move on to the next race. Oh yeah...there's always a next race. Get better Liz. Then keep getting better and better. Thanks for sharing with us. Steve IP: Logged

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