Monday, April 30, 2007

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!

6 comments:

Ben, aka BadBen said...

Shane,
Some races start out nice, and end up FUBAR. I think you may not have eaten enough electrolytes, and you may have been trying to run at someone else's pace, instead of carving-out your own. Your stomach going south is an indicator. That's just my theory, though.

Happier trails,
Ben

Jason The Running Man said...

Shane - Thanks for stopping by! Great blog and I look foward to following your training/races!

Unknown said...

Crashman,

that sucks about your DNF. I asked myself those same questions after my DNF at WyCo last year. It's all about deciding that you did what was best, it doesn't matter what public opinion may become. Just know that you ran 32 miles farther than I did Saturday.

Oh yeah, Cody should start his own trail-gear company!!! His outfits always rock. He looks like he could be from a Friday the 13th movie in this pic!!!

See ya

Gabe said...

The heat got to everyone. Just another source of motivation for the next one. I was hoping you would pull through it. If you were puking on the way home then dropping was the right thing to do.

Anonymous said...

Shane Man,

Just chalk it up as expierience. I've watched you come a long way over the last year and your turning into a solid ultrarunner. Well on your way to become a seasoned vet. Don't beat yourself up over this. Your next race will be your best one to date. Trust me. Its going to be a hot summer. To run well in the heat you have to train in it. Its shitty of me to say that but its the truth. As far as running well in the heat goes nobody really runs well in it they just teach themselves to not dies as fast as those who aren't prepared for it. Keep your head up man and take care.

WynnMan said...

Yo Crashman! good on ya at Freestate. Sometimes races are like that, but they make ya tougher for one's down the road. This reminded me of last summer when I had a bum foot for awhile and didn't let it heal. When I did, I went and raced Afton 50k. BIG MISTAKE! I just was not prepared for that! But it doesn't take long to regain the fitness.

good work!

Wynnman