Wapack 17.5 2008

Being a psychologist I have a keen interest in the human mind and perceptions, and am frequently using myself as a case study. I have had a tough time since Wednesday when I heard about the stress fractures. Although I have been back to running comfortably for over 1 month, since I have learned about the stress fracture I actually felt some pain or achenes in my left pubic bone. Yes, psychosomatic. And yes, truly amazing, the nociceptic mind-body interaction. Kinda interesting and scary. I also had foot pain, but this miraculously went away by Friday. I, on the other hand, went back and forth between doing and not doing the race. I am not squeamish about the pain, but was horrified about having the experience of collapsing in the middle of the woods and having to wait there for help. By Saturday I have made up my mind. I would do the race. Reading Murakami's new book on running has also helped made up my mind.

Friday I did a short 5 mile run around the reservoir, followed by a short swim, and Saturday I swam for 1 hour. My legs felt rested. I also ate more than usual the entire week. I did not sleep well the night before the race, too worried, too worked up. I was glad when it was time to go. Ate some cereal, drank some coffee and was ready to go. I had planned to do some visualizations the night before, but just could not do it.

I got excited while in the car. Chris was worried about being late, I was partly hoping we would and we'd miss the race. I really don't have much confidence as a runner, maybe bc it is a sport I picked up late in life, and also bc I am still new to racing.

Once we got to the start up line, I got excited. The shirt was awesome, the course intimidating. People were great, very friendly. M and C showed up a bit late, and I was nervous they won't make it on time. We took pictures. We peed. We lined at the start line, back of the pack. The race director gave a scary speech about his hopes we are in shape, about the tough and technical course, about stopping 1/2 way, about getting disqualified if not getting to the 1/2 point in less than 3 hours.

Then we started running. There were a bit of flat, and then people started walking when we got to the first climb. I wanted to run, but there was no room. Eventually we started running, but the pace was slow. I felt great. In retrospect, I should have started going faster, but I wanted to run with C and M. Eventually, I started going faster. The first 1/2 I felt v strong (first 8.5 miles). I met lots of people and had great talks. I got to the 1/2 way point in 2:00. I waited for C and M and had a sandwich and water, kissed my boys. C arrived at 2:05, and I really wanted to go. At 2:07 C and I started going back, but C decided to wait for M. I left alone. I caught up to some people and was happy not to run alone. We had a huge climb which went fine, than a 3 m iler of mostly flat. I felt strong up to mile 13, when I started having wabbly legs. I fell and scraped my leg and knee. Mostly, I was alone and worried about getting lost. I kept waiting for the guy behind me to make sure I was on the right path. Still, the time was good and I hoped to make it in less than 4 hours. At mile 15, another killer climb, and I felt dizzy and light headed. At mile 16, a bunch of guys that I had previously encouraged passed me and encoruaged me this time. I kept telling my mantra "Can you hurt more?", and it helped. I counted my steps, go to 50 and then get a drink. At mile 17 I felt much better, started running faster, and than I saw C's husband, and I heard cheers, and saw my boys and crossed the finish line, 4:15! Not to bad. C and M followed.

It was an amazing experience. Pushing myself, being alone in the woods and finding my way, taking the risk, feeling the pain and getting close to hallucinating (yes!)...

What helped: food, eating a lot pre and during. Salt and water and sports jelly beans.
What didn't: too slow of a beginning, too long of a break 1/2 point, feeling worried about leaving C and M behind, getting lost and waiting for those behind me to ensure I was not getting lost, not knowing that a bunch of rocks on top of each other is an actual marking:)

next year: under 4 h.

Oh, and I was 5th woman overall!!!