Free State Trail Run

I don't know what was wrong with me last Saturday, but I hit the wall big time. I was signed up for the 40-mile version. I missed the Rockin K marathon earlier this month with a bum foot, so I was a little worried about the distance. The first 21 mile loop went fine. Lance, Cody and I ran together for most of the loop and we finished it in about 3 1/2 hrs. We were on a pretty good pace for a sub 8 hr time. The second loop turned into a death march for me. By the time I got to the Land's End aid station I had stopped looking at my watch. I felt terrible. I finally stumbled onward and made it into the KUS aid station. I found Lance and Gabe there and I ate some watermelon and drank some water. The three of us left together and made decent progress for a couple of miles. I stopped because I thought I was going to puke. I sat there for a couple of minutes and then I decided to lay down and rest for awhile. A few runners went by (Thanks Stuart and Willie) and said they would tell the land's end aid station that there was a man down. A little while later Sarah came by and asked me what I was doing. I informed her that I was tired and was taking a rest. She was having knee problems so she decided to keep me company for a bit. We finally decided to try and make to the aid station so we both started walking. We had only been going a few minutes when BadBen and Jesse came running down the trail. They both looked a little worried. I asked Ben if he thought I should try to finish. After he told me NO! I was okay with dropping out. I'm kind of disappointed, but at what point does it become pointless to continue. Would it have been worth risking further damage to keep going or was I just being a wuss? I always ask myself questions like these after a DNF. I just look at it this way. I got in a nice 32 mile training run and I got to get sick and puke in a trashbag in the car on the way home. The weird part was that my legs felt fine during the race, no cramping or any other problems. My stomach just went sour. I guess that's what I get for underestimating the heat and humidity.
Kyle put in another strong run, almost breaking 10 hrs for the 100k!!! Cody decided to drop down to the 40 mile and finished in 8:15( He really looks like he's enjoying his run in the top photo, doesn't he). Lots of other local trail runners had good races as well( http://www.psychowyco.com/id1.html ). Our Vasque shoe rep Dan Dehlin smoked the marathon in 2:40 and fellow trail nerd Mike Swords ran a 3:12! Great job on the 1st annual and a big thanks to everyone who helped out!