In my last post, I brought to light that I was becoming more confident in mu Ultra running skills. When one becomes more confident, he tries different things (either on purpose or because nature calls) in order to improve things. Well I did. The result was mixed. I did not have a PR (personal record) but I did very well. Below, I will list what happened that I was not used to and discuss what I learned.
1. I arrived at the race the morning of.
This was the first ultra that I did not spend the night in a hotel. I had a date Friday night and didn’t want to cancel it. The date went very well so I was up late. I then awoke at 3:45 AM and drove an hour and a half to the race.I arrived with plenty of time to set up my personal aid station.
Result: Very bad idea. I became exhausted earlier than any of the races before which led me to taking more naps than I think I would have needed. I should have arrived the night before and gotten a little extra sleep. Problem is, this gal I went out with was hot and there was no way I was missing a date with her.
2. I brought extra food, water and Coke
Result: I was never hungry. Last race, food was scarce which led to my brain starving. I started hallucinating at mile 65. No such problems here. I had plenty, even if the aid station ran out. I will definitely make sure I have what I need as far as nutrition.
3. Eat, and eat and eat some more.
Result: I decided it was time to take the advice of so many that have done this before and take in 300-500 calories and hour.It worked. I didn’t run into the wall. My legs were strong the entire time. If fact, I took in enough protein so that my legs were not as sore as I was expecting. I learned the real kryptonite was not weakness or bad training. I’ll explain that later. But with all the food I was taking in, something different happened at mile 65 that bring me to #4.
4. Needed to drop a deuce.
Result: For 64 miles, I was passing gas. This was a problem because I am modest. I would look behind to see if anyone was behind me and, if not, I stopped and let go. Slowly. Couldn’t afford a Hersey squirt. I knew it was coming but hoped it would hold off. I knew it wouldn’t because of the amount of calories I had taken in.
At mile 65, that was it. I needed to unload.
When I crossed 65, I found the most remote port-a-pottie I could find. Remember, I’m modest. I didn’t need some flaming hot woman in the container next to me hearing my struggles (which ended up happening anyway). I have also never dropped a deuce in a port-a-pottie. Let me tell you, my quads are strong. I hovered for fifteen minutes at least. But things turned out better than I expected. The smell wasn’t as bad as I thought. And I felt sooo much better. And this led to #5.
5. I brought baby wipes
Result: There are few inventions that changed the world.
Fire.
The wheel.
iPhones.
But nothing can compare to the baby wipe. In my previous four 100-milers, I forgot to buy them. I didn’t forget this time. Baby wipes are why human beings will always rule the world. Dolphins don’t stand a chance because they’ll never figure it out. I was able to clean my hands when I needed to apply Vaseline to my unmentionables. I was able to disinfect my chafing. I was able to clean my butt after dropping a deuce. The only worry I had was forgetting to close the lid and them drying out or running out.
6. Drinking water, lime and chia.
Result: I read about this in the book “Born to Run”. I drink water with chia seeds twice a day. But I never tried during a race. The results are mixed. I felt good and it tasted great. But my stomach started to bubble up. I can’t be sure if it was because I needed to clear my bowels or the seeds didn’t agree with me. It will take another race to figure it out.
7. I took short cat naps instead of one long nap.
Result: I don’t do sleep deprivation. It sucks. I have heard many theories about it. My first three 100s, I slept for at least and hour. It worked, sort of. I DNF’d one race and finished in over 30 hours the other two. In the Rohring Around the Clock 100, I slept for twenty minutes and then, when I was twisted, forty-five minutes. I PR’d by three and a half hours. That’s right: I slept less and finished three and a half hours faster.
Hmm. What if I took multiple short cat naps. I decided to try it.
My first cat nap was at mile 65 for fifteen minutes. I made it to mile 75-77 before things began to fall apart. It was then that the race director sat my butt down because I was..out of sorts. That cat nap for twenty minutes. I made it to mile 87 (qualifying time for the 100 was 86 miles in twenty-four hours. Made it by ninety minutes) before I took my last cat nap for fifteen minutes.
I think it worked. But I also wonder what would have happened with some sleep the night before. Would I need all those cat naps? No matter, it was a success. But I need another race to confirm.
7. I trusted my body and fucked my mind.
Result: This is when my personal life meets my running. The night before the race (yes, BEFORE the race) my soon-to-be girlfriend told me my biggest problem was I over think things. She told me to stop and just go with what I felt. Things would work out.
I knew what she meant at mile 91.
Understand: I couldn’t quit this race. I made a charity commitment. Everyone at my current job knew I was running this. I needed to finish. The embarrassment would have been huge. But I wanted to quit. But not because my body was unwilling but my mind was being a bitch.
My legs were fine. My feet were fine. So why quit? I forced myself to run. I walked when I couldn’t take it. I ran in cadence (100 steps run, 50 walk). I just walked at times. I always moved forward. My mind kept saying “NO!” but my legs and feet kept saying “We’re good, move on”.
I never saw that struggle before though I read in many books that it was there. Now I know.
I ran most of the last two miles.
This was a great race. I learned so much. The previous was what I did right (or sort of right). But there are things that didn’t work too. I am happy and positive. I need to enjoy this little victory. My next post will be about what I can do better.
