Short version - Finished, got my buckle
, 14th out of 58 that started, lost 8 pounds in the heat and humidily, passed out three times after the race, seriously messed up today.Long version - Got to the race down in New York, course ran along the Erie Canal from Lockport to Middleport. Serious nerves as I went into this undertrained and with some injuires. Ran the first 25 miles way to fast, had ultra legend Iris Cooper pass me just before the end of the loop. The weather was hot and humid, drank like 6 bottles in the first loop, lots of salt pills. The body could not absorb all the fluid, added some liquid back into the Erie canal as I started puking around 28 miles. Dead crawl for awhile, got to the 37.5 mile mark in a daze, pretty loopy.
After sitting on the curb for about 30 minutes, giving every excuse to my crew member why I should drop out (he told me to stop whinning and suck it up), got up and headed back out with an arm full of solid food to eat while walking. The other runners went by giving me some encouragement, I was just trying to get myself back into the race mentally. At the 50 mile turnaround, I found nirvana. Grilled cheese sandwiches and coffee. Match made in heaven. Third loop I was able to run, really picked it up when the sun went down and the temperature dropped.
Fourth lap I had high hopes for finishing well and did ok until a 2 hour thunderstorm started. Got drenched from head to toe since I did not have a poncho. Wearing only a singlet, I was borderline frozen. Definition of hell, chafing. No amount of cream could help. It was quite wild running in the dark with a small light in the middle of no where and thunder strikes illuminating the entire sky around you.
Changed my cloths completely at 88.5 miles and headed out to complete the deathmarch. Who would have thought that walking could hurt so much.
Skipped across the finish line in 25:28 in 14th place, over half the field did not finish. Got my buckle and I was so happy that I finished.
Decided to take an ill advised shower right after the race. Passed out in the shower, again in the change room and once outside. Have some nasty bruises from hitting the ground.
Legs are seriously messed up, using lots of ice today, can't straighten either leg. Funny part, not one blister or black toenail! Toe socks are unreal. Ran 140 k in them before I changed them.
Overall, so happy I finished, pushed myself to the limits of my physical and mental capabilities. Going to rest for a few weeks, then start up again for MUCH shorter races. Toughest thing I have ever done, Ironman does not even show up on the radar compared to a 100 miler.
Met some great people out there on the course, including some ultra idols like Valmir Nunes, Iris Cooper and Charlotte V.
Going back to sleep now.
