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It has been a while since I have updated my blog.   After running the Western States 100 mile endurance run on June 27th - I took some time off from racing.  I got back into training a couple weeks after the race.  I did not have any issues with endurance but I have had trouble getting my speed back up.

I am training for the California International Marathon (CIM) on December 6th.  I want to run under 3 hrs again but I am not sure of that since my leg speed seems to have disappeared.  In preparation for CIM I ran the Primo's run for education Half Marathon (picture below of me - in black).  My time was 1:26.  I was really not happy with the time but my confidence in my leg speed is slowly coming back.

A few more weeks of heavy training then a nice long taper to recover to get ready to race.

I don’t usually rant on this blog but the issue of DNFs (did not finish) been coming up a lot lately.  I run a lot of races every year – mostly ultra marathons.  I have never DNF’d a race.  I just do not see why people use that as an option.  Unless you are doing permanent damage – my thought is you keep going.  If it will affect your ability to run later in life I say stop – otherwise run till you drop.  My feeling is that once you DNF it gets easier and easier to do it.  Pros seem to drop like flies when they figure they can no longer contend for the win or the podium.

I have heard the argument that Pros make their living on racing and therefore should save themselves from a long recovery if they are not racing well.  I on the other hand do not really think this is the best policy.  If you are sponsoring an athlete would you want your product associated with the tough as nails guy that gets to the finish no matter what or the athlete that quits every time they are not leading a race.

I ran the Western States 100 a few weeks ago and I saw people quitting all over the place.   I had the worst race of my entire life.  I literally vomited from mile 30 to mile 55.  At times the vomiting was so bad I could hardly walk, and at its worst it took me 2.5 hours to go 4.8 miles.  I know that if I had even a little bit of quitter in me – I would have pulled the rip cord.

There are a few quotes from the Western States program that I really like.  “Western States does not test your character, it reveals it.”  This could not be truer of any race of any distance.  You have to resolute in wanting to finish.  The other quote I like says “Running Western States hurts for a few days.  The ride back from and aid station hurts all year.”

My opinion:  DNF should be the absolutely, positively last resort.

I think Lance Armstrong is a great example of someone that won’t quit.  He is almost assured that he will not win the TDF and yet he is still riding.  Sometimes just finishing should be enough.

Today is July 3rd.  It is almost 1 week since the Western States 100 Mile Endurance run.  I made it to the finish.  It was a very long and very hot day (2 actually).  Here is a quick recap.

Two days before the race I had a bout of food poisoning.  This was very disappointing since the lead up to the race was going so well.  My stomach never felt right again.  I kept hoping that I would feel ok on race morning or once the race started but that never happened.

The gun went off and my stomach was a total wreck.  I could barely take in any calories and that caught up to me fast.  At mile 30 I was able to see my crew for the first time and I was already in bad shape and they knew it.  I tried taking in some calories but it made me feel very queasy.  Almost immediately after leaving the mile 30 aid station I started vomiting.  I continued to do this all the mile to mile 55.

 At mile 55 I was able to see my crew again and pick up a pacer (Katie) and they started working to get me back on track.  I tool one sportbean every 10 minutes and 1 salt tab every 30 minutes.  I was able to do this without throwing up.  I was able to recover enough to run for the last ¾ mile into Foresthill at mile 62.

At Mile 62 I saw my crew again and they had a vanilla milk shake for me.  This was the greatest milk shake ever.  I picked up my other pacer (Dan) and he and I started the last 38 miles to the finish.  I left Foresthill just 10 minutes before the absolute cutoff and 2 hour behind the 30 hour pace.

On the way down to the river we were able to move pretty well.  I was passing a lot of runners and feeling good. Crossing the river was great because it dropped my core body temp.  The run up from the river to the Green Gate aid station went pretty quickly.  By the time we got to green gate we were an hour ahead of the 30 hour pace and almost 2 hours in front of the absolute cutoff.

At the mile 85 aid station I was down 15 pounds and they made me sit until I gained some weight.  I downed a bottle and ½ of water and that was enough to add 5 pounds (not sure how but it did).  I was then allowed to leave the aid station.  There was no looking back from there. 

Running onto the track was the best moment of all the sporting events I have participated in.  I had to fight for every step of this race and finishing was so rewarding.

There are only 9 days until the start of the Western States 100 mile endurance run.  This will be the hardest event I have ever participated in.  I am currently in full taper mode - so there is only short runs (5 - 7 miles) on my schedule.  With all of the excess energy I am starting to get that caged animal feeling.  As the event is getting closer I am also starting to get a little anxious.

Anyone that would like to follow my progress can click on the link below and add my race number - which is 111.

http://webcast.ws100.com/emailtracksignup.php

There is also a race day webcast that can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

http://webcast.ws100.com/

Anyone that does not already know - I am trying to raise money for a very worthy charity with this run.  If you are interested in donating - please go to the link below.

http://www.activecharity.com/States.htm

Thanks,
Dave