- Weather conditions. High of 93 degrees with a high humidity of 87%.
- Start Time: 10:45
- End Time: 6:30
- FiveFingers worn 80% of the run
- 120 - 160 oz of water consumed
- 12 shot blocks and 2 pieces of bread eaten
So, what happened??? Well, it got hot. Really really really hot. Incredibly hot. This caused two huge problems. First and foremost was the ground was too hot to run on barefoot. There is simply no way to toughen feet for hot ground without having . . . hot ground! Second, it was really really hot. How do you train to run in severe humidity and heat with little to no wind with out having heat, humidity, and a lack of breeze? So I guess what it all comes down to is that there is no way I could train for that kind of weather without previously having that kind of weather. The only way I could have was to run in place in a sauna or run with a sweatshirt. Both are possible, but I guess I never would have fathomed that my run would take place on the hottest day of 2011.
But, then again, I kind of did. In fact I expected no less. I have an old friend that would often laugh at the things that would happen to me. Not necessarily tragic, but just completely odd situations that you could not have made up. At first it drove me crazy, then I just figured it was the universe testing my conviction and moral fortitude. And then, I was thankful for it. What doesn't kill you right?
So, here is the run summary.
The Morning
Antsy. Very antsy. Ready to go and tired of waiting. Just ready to have all of this over with. The training, the blogging, the carb loading, the talking. I drink lots of water and try to go to the bathroom as much as possible. I get together my pack at the last minute.
Miles 1 - 6 into Hartford
HOT. SO FREAKING HOT. Sip on some water and then take multiple breaks to make sure I am not going out too fast. As I check the time at Mile 5, I realize I am behind schedule. I have already had to put my fingers on to protect my feet from the heat. I run in to an amazing crowd waiting for me. I instantly realize how much I needed a pick me up, immediately followed by a sense of dread that I feel that way so early. A quick bathroom break and then to fill up my water. I am way behind. I thought I had about 30 oz gone and I have only had 12. In this heat, that is not good.
Miles 7 - 10, the Charter Oak Bridge Loop
With tons of people around, I am stoked, but also hot. Very hot. I am trying to keep up with the group, but I need to slow down. It feels like I am breathing through a sandbag and I can't get my breathing under control or find my stride, both things that I usually excel at. I try to keep track of everyone, but eventually some people get too far ahead and some get too far behind. I recognize I need to find my pace and stick with it. I get back to the TCC and relish in the AC. Try to go to the bathroom but I can't, serious problem. My pack is close to empty, which is good.
Miles 10 - 17, Elizabeth Park Loop
Another fun crowd to cheer me on, with one special guest, Mama Q! Luckily I had the TCC Intern Neal K to help keep track of her, which was amazing and so hopeful. Thanks again Neal. I try to keep up with everyone but fall way behind quick. I can not get any air, my legs are starting to ache, and then all the sudden I realize I am starving, which is not good. Its not good because, while I am hungry, I am not craving anything and the thought of eating is actually nauseating. A very weird feeling. I have officially Bonked. I should have been taking in fluid nutrients in huge quantities by now. I also realize I forgot to put salt in my water, which I quickly fix, but the damage is done. Things get really dark and I am trying to keep moving but can really walk at best. I call Kasi for supplies at mile 13, but with the timing of shuttling people around, we don't meet up until mile 16. I have no idea where my runners are save Dan G and Peter D who keep me company. Thanks guys. I get my supplies near the pigs eye, fall to the ground, and drink gatorade and try to eat some chips and fruit. Neither go down well. I crawl up and head back to the TCC. This time the AC is giving me chills. I shove my head under the sink and try to get some clarity. From the looks I am getting from people, I don't think I am doing too good. People won't let me leave alone. Mama Q volunteers to go with me and I pack up, refill, and head out. I don't even bother trying to go to the bathroom. I talk to Neal about what to eat and he recommends bread, which I dont have.
Miles 18 - 25, Hartford to Bloomfield
The pleasantries of the river and my mother are left quickly as I start to such it up and move it out. I get a few moments alone, which I have actually been craving. I behind to wonder why the hell I am doing this and what a crazy idea this was. Then I start to think about what would happen if I just quit. Beyond feeling stupid, I imagine all the naysayers. Particularly the runners that meet every day and give me funny looks and make sarcastic remarks about my barefooting. I move on, but now I am realizing now how terrible the roads are. There is glass and gravel everywhere. I have never experienced anything like this before. Heat aside, my feet would need to be way tougher for this. On top of the roads, my nose is burning from being rubbed raw, I am drinking water constantly but it seems to have no effect, I can't eat, my hips are screaming (which lets me know at least I am running with form), and I can do no better than run 30 feet and then walk for at least a minute to catch me breath. Jon D shows up on his bike with an amazing surprise. Two bottles of ice water for the sole purpose of cooling me off. Its heavenly. At about the same time Kasi shows up with more fluids and some bread, which goes down quick and easily. 10 minutes later I am beginning to come to life again. Then Jon tells me to put the water down my pants, which was the greatest idea ever. Brought my temp way down, which at this point in the race is undoubtedly higher than it should be. The chills at my last stop felt very much like the chills of a fever, which means my core temperature is getting dangerously high. I know I am dehydrated but I would basically have to drink water constantly to at least break even at this point. My entire lower body begins to scream and ache. I finally get out of Hartford and enter Bloomfield, which means I finally have some shade. The sun is losing its angle and the intensity of the heat is going down, but it makes little difference. I am dehydrated and basically walking the whole time.
Mile 25 - 30ish, Back Home
Jon D switches out for Kim C, which is great because I know Jon needs to get home. I still have the clarity of mind to give him some good directions to get back, which gives me hope. I am not sure where I really was in the run, but I thought I was much further behind when it happened. I knew that it was well past 5 and I thought I was nowhere close. I speak words that I had been thinking about since Mile 10. "Kim, I think I am going to quit. I am going to run as far as I can until 5:30. Can you call Kasi to tell her?" I am kind of disappointed, but at the same time, kind of okay with it. I have people waiting for me at my house by this point and I would like to see them. Isn't your birthday supposed to be a celebration?? What the hell am I doing out here?? Its hot, I am almost crippled and the point of all of this was RUN 30 miles, not walk 30 miles. What am I proving here?
So we keep plugging on and I just need to stop and sit. Shortly before this, we reach Wintonbury Road, which I know heads straight back into Windsor, which means we are further along than I thought, but I am mostly walking now. Ands its not the heat, its my muscles. I have been fighting my inner thighs from cramping up since Mile 20ish and I can only run about 20 - 30 yards before feeling like they are going to cramp so hard that I need simply wont be able to move. I ask Kim to check to see how far we are from home. She smiles. 2.7 miles. "Oh, screw that, I am finishing this!" We continue on and I see Kasi pull up ahead waiting to drive me home but am victorious in telling her that I am going to finish. I lean over and look at my calves. At first I think I am seeing heat waves and then realize that they are moving on their own. A weird pulsating movement, as if there was some baby creature in there squirming around. I show Kim and Kasi, who both have no idea what it means, but I can tell they don't think its a good thing.
Some more bread, some more Shot Bloks, some fluids, and a new pair of Fingers and I am off. I previously had my Sprints and then Classics on. I now have the Treks with have a whopping 2mm more of rubber (for a total of 4 mm vs the 2 mm on the others) but it feels amazing. My feet are raw from gravel and moisture not only from the copious amounts of sweat, but the half gallon of water I poured on myself earlier. I try to go barefoot for all of 10 feet before realizing its a terrible idea at this point. Run a little, walk a lot. We start picking points in the immediate distance to run to, but ultimately my thighs dictate the distance. I go as far as I can and stop before I cramp. Then I walk until the cramping threat goes away.
At this point there are all sorts of thoughts bursting into clarity. I almost break out into tears a few times just thinking about actually finishing all of this and seeing how proud and amazed everyone would be at the finish line. I smiled and laughed at different songs, memories and the thought that I was going to be able to hold my word to Brian. I dream about a shower and sitting on a couch. I fear the next few days and what they will mean for my muscles. There are a lot of thoughts and I am sure I could write them down, but I won't. They are for me and I like it that way.
I get to the top of the hill leading down to my house and run it out. I tell the thighs to shutup and go the full 300 yards to the finish line. People are clapping and cheering. Kasi is beaming and my mom is smiling, I think mostly because I am alive. Kasi starts asking me questions for the video she is obviously shooting. I mumble something and say hi to everyone there. I want to hug them but they are pretty and I smell. I immediately go inside to see a feast, but all I want is the shower. I am nervous about the stairs but I make it up them easily.
The After Party
Despite what most people think, I was able to run for 8 hours and still play host. I shower, change, and head downstairs to eat some amazing dish that Tina M made. I can't remember there name, but I will just call them Delicious Rolls of Fried Nirvana with Super Dope Jelly Sauce. I say high to everyone again and we all eat. I am amazed at the showing. I mean, its Wednesday?? And I am also amazed at the diversity of people. Friends, clients, family members of clients, younger, older, but all happy to see me and all getting along wonderfully. I plop around the party feeling stoned and generally mellow. I don't have a care in the world. I get my gift. A ridiculous grill AND a smoker. I can't believe it. (Kasi later told me the story of the gift, but more on that in my next post). People stay later than I would have thought, which is awesome considering no one else has the day off tomorrow. I manage to be the last one to bed in the whole house. I get to sleep around midnight, which is my usual bed time.
Reflections to come . . . I have a video, but I need to figure out how to make it smaller!
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