 posted Sep-04-2007 11:34 AM
   
This one started at 7:30am around 70 degrees and ended about 80 degrees at 7:30pm with it reaching 93 degrees. The course is 1.4 mile laps with a loaded aid station after every lap.I felt great running around 8:15 to 8:30 pace. After a few laps I started to do walking for about 20 to 30 seconds and running for 3 minutes, then I did it for every 2 minutes of running. Trying to last for the full 12 hours. I had done this for a 24 hour run 7 years ago and completed 107 miles. After 6 hours I had completed 31 miles and I still felt good. Slowly the heat was taking its toll on me. After about 39 miles my legs felt fine, but feet were killing me with pain. I felt blisters on both of them and my big toe on my left foot hurt too. Now I decided to walk at a steady pace. I could see that 50 miles could be made by walking. I did not want to drop, because I pushed myself to run to much in this heat. There was no wind and not much shade this part of the day. At mile 45 I started having dry heaves. I am about a mile from the start/finish line with its crowd of people. I started to think was getting 50 miles really all that important. I finally decided to go on at a little slower pace and see what I am like at the end of this lap. I had only 3 laps left after this one to reach 50 miles. During this lap I met up with Ray Scharenbrock, a friend of mine of 8 years. Ray is 74 years old and runs around 50 martathons/ultras a year. He gives me encouragement as we are together the next two miles. Ray is doing his 559th marathon/ultra today. The last two laps I run by myself and they seem to go on forever. As I finish lap 36 with just over 11 hours completed. As I come near my belonging along the trail, I start with the dry heaves again, but this time there are plenty of people around. I have volunteers helping with salted potatoes, gatorade, wet cloth, ect. I decide to drop after going 50.4 miles. Now I am laying on the ground thinking how am I ever going to get all my belongings back to my car. I have the habit of always parking my car further away to avoid other cars being next to it. I worry about getting even the smallest amout of damage to it. Although I carried everything down in one trip it will take me two and of course it is uphill. As I am taking my baby steps to the car a volunteer, a young gal, asks if I need help. She not only gets the rest of my things, but takes most of what I am carrying. She helps me get everything in and helps me get into my car. She says good-bye and gives me a little wink. She was very kind. After staying at the motel an extra night and resting yesterday. My feet still hurt this morning. Donna did a great job on taping up my feet. I will do just fine at work this afternoon. Although I am on my feet a lot I do not walk much. Donna did not go to this one, so she could get everything together for our trip to Hawaii on the 8th. Next is Maui Marathon September 16th.
TomD
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