Race Report
My hamstring issues continued to bother me during the shorter and faster running I was doing. However, I knew from experience that I had to push through these difficult races in order to keep the muscle strong and stretch everything around it.
My first race of August was four miles. I knew the course well, as I had designed it for the American Diabetes Association years ago. I recall having difficulty getting the four miles on the point-to-point course to come out with it starting and finishing where they wanted it to.
Finally, when I had almost given up and was deciding to just turn it up a side street and then return to the main road, someone pointed out a small section of parkland directly off the course I was measuring. I took the wheel and measured it off and it added a quarter mile, just the distance I was looking for.
When you run on a road for a ways and then switch to a trail, it is sometimes difficult. The footing is not as stable, there is a chance of slipping on grass, tripping on roots and other risks involved with trail running. For a runner with an injury this can also be a concern.
Fortunately, I used caution through that short section of the course and came out none the worse for wear, picked up speed back on the road and moved ahead of the competition in my age bracket winning the gold medal.
A week later, I drove nearly 300 miles to a marathon in northern Wisconsin, named after the famous Finnish runner, Paavo Nurmi. Nearly five hours after starting the trip I got out of the car for only the second time during the trek and discovered my hamstring was beginning to hurt. Just sitting on it had aggravated it and I thought of the phrase, “Use it or lose it.” I knew I better get moving.
After reaching my accommodations I went for a short walk, then headed into Hurley, where the Lioness’ Club staffed the race packet pick up at the Chamber of Commerce office. It was good to see some familiar faces among this wonderful group of women. This was going to be my 17th time doing the race and my 93rd lifetime marathon. I have always enjoyed this special race and the hometown feel I get from it.
I finally moved into first place in my age group, about 19 miles into the race. I had eaten at the spaghetti dinner hosted by the girls’ high school soccer team, and failed to ask about the ingredients in the sauce. I believe it contained cheese and I am lactose intolerant and had to deal with stomach issues throughout the race.
At mile 26, with only two-tenths of a mile to go, a familiar face appeared next to me and I could tell he was running strong. He asked if we were going to race down Silver Street, the final few blocks, and I told him to go ahead. I knew he was in my age group, but at that point I was still using precaution in preventing further damage to my hamstring.
My goal going into the race was not to win, but just finish and not do further damage. The guy that passed me in the final yards took the gold and I got the silver, but I got a finish without injury and to me that was a win.
The following week I flew out to Pittsburgh to meet a new friend and to connect with an old friend. During that time, I ran through the very hilly city, at a time of heat and humidity. It was good training for the 100-km Trail National Championship that was coming up.
I also had the opportunity to talk to a group of really motivated people. They formed a group called No Boundaries and it included 85 participants and 4 coaches. They were training for their first 5-km (3.1 miles) road race and all had reasons for changing their lifestyle. One man had weighed over 400 pounds and his doctor told him he would not reach 40 years of age. It was his wake up call. He told me he was down to 260 and when I told him I was once nearly 200 pounds, he could not believe it.
I told him it was good that he found exercise, but now what he needed to do was work on his nutrition. I told him of the positive results I found using Mega Omega and he assured me he would be purchasing it and using it regularly.
After my return and two nights in my own bed, I headed for Portland, OR and a car trip to Willamette Pass, OR. I noticed something on this trip. Sitting through two flights and the three hour car ride did not bother my hamstring. I hoped this was a turning point.
The next day, just before the 5 a.m. start, I made a last minute trip to the rest room and discovered I had forgotten my hand-held water bottle, so I returned to the car. In the dark, every car looked the same and I as I searched the starters’ pistol went off, so I ran to the start line and then up the ski hill, in last place.
That was just the start of what was going to be a long day, filled with other trials. An hour and twenty minutes later, as the light finally filtered through the forest, I was stung by a yellow jacket in the right hand. I was surprised, as I had worn gloves to stave off the chill of the morning mountain air.
I managed to get some medication to keep the swelling down. I don’t like taking anything, but felt I better as I could no longer make a fist. Then, an hour after taking the antihistamine drug, I was stung in the head, twice in the same instant. I took another pill.
Three hours later, one more yellow jacket decided he liked my shoulder and took a shot. Again, more medication and with it the side effect I was warned about. It made me groggy. I staggered off the trail, lost my balance and did something to cause my back to tighten and hampering my ability to run. Climbing and descending peaks four times, going from 5,000 feet to near 8,000 feet for 62.1-miles, was challenge enough.
I walked in the dark the final three miles. Luckily the race provided a safety guide who came up behind me, or I may not have finished. Again, the goal was to finish – for a couple of reasons: I had my race schedule filled and this was my 149th lifetime ultra marathon race. Without finishing I would have jeopardized running my 150th marathon on October 24th in what I consider my backyard.
I received some quick medical attention to make sure I was not in danger. With my vital signs stable, my body warmed by heated blankets and my stomach filled, I was released from medical care.
I sat down on a small stool to put my warm-up suit on. I yelped and the medical team came over immediately. I explained that the seat on the stool was cracked and it had just pinched me in the butt. They had the last laugh, but I was smiling because I finished, reached my goal and won a silver medal in the championship division.
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