I decided to
wait a couple of days to give some thought to my experience at Terrapin
Mountain.
We are all
wrapped in a blanket of life surrounding us with what we can control and that
which we cannot. Stupid should be within our control, yet, I seem to repeat
mistakes, I imagine believing the outcome will be different the next time.
There is an
unwritten rule among distance runners, you should never try anything new on
race day. In my case I need to maintain that mantra for days in advance for the
best chance at performing at or near my best.
There is no
need to go into explicit detail but I changed my diet starting Wednesday
afternoon, moving to low fiber. By Friday afternoon, when my friends picked
me up I was in panic mode, my GI track was stuck and I was uncomfortable.
Normally
before a “Big” race I’ll allow myself a beer or two the day before. In hope
that I could jump start my system I poured down the better part of a six pack,
by bed time my reward was only intestinal cramps. The morning was worse, even with a
short walk nothing was going right. As we left for the race my hope for the run
lay on Imodium and pain medication.
Rarely would
you have a more perfect morning. Unfortunately by the start of the
race it wasn’t perfect for me, yet pain medication had kicked in enough to complete;
although I had no idea how well. After two miles I started feeling decent which
continued to about eight miles when the “about face” began. By mile ten the
battle below had begun, discomfort replaced pleasure, panic shoved out
confidence. Nearing the finish line a quick glance of the clock revealed I had
run ten minutes slower than last year. Even though I was miserable I had
assumed I was running about the same.
I don’t know
why I looked at my performance as a defeat, under the circumstances I’m sure many
would congratulate me on the effort. I finished twenty ninth out of almost one
hundred forty, yet it felt hollow.
Several
hours of sprints to the “John” ensued until I was done, It ….. Was …… Not ......
Fun.
If there was
a saving grace it was my friends, many who ran well, I got to share in their
triumph, joy and companionship.
In the past
I might have said, “Well maybe next year”, but if illness has taught me
anything it is that next year is not a given, it’s a gift. I want to run each race I give a damn about
like it’s my last …. I just need to avoid stupidity.
Mike
