Running Mania

Backstory: I haven't recovered totally from giving blood 20 days ago. For a week I was exhausted, second week running was still tough to do without rest breaks. This week I am feeling much better, but I knew that asking for 30 K's of race might be more than I had in me. I've never had this issue after donating before; my theory is that it was because I did so deep in a training cycle. I ran a 28 LSD 2 days before. My resting heart rate at time of donation was 70, up from 41-44 last 3 times. I thought I could fit it in okay but I was wrong. This is all just a theory, I am not a doctor but I see them play on TV.

Race day, without many real expectations I tried to be optimistic. Again, I was feeling fine. My only hope for a time goal was to beat my best here, 2:30. I started out with Casual-Runner doing 5 minute pace. Others who joined in at times included Ironboy, UltraQueenga, Jogger Barbie, AlfiefromPickering, and HCMD cruised by too. At the first water stop I fell back from the group. Here by 4 K I knew I could not sustain the pace. I held it almost for the first 10, except for walking through aid stations. After here, I decided to keep dialing it back as much as necessary to make it last and try to enjoy the day. It worked okay, sure I was disappointed for a bit. I do like racing and wanted to beat my times at all distances this year, but I knew I didn't have it today and there was nothing I could do about it. So I chilled out and eased off. Around 22 K I got a little light headed running up a hill, so I slowed it up even more, walking a lot on hills from here on. Still it was an okay day. Some people I knew mocked me as they passed, others expressed concern as they knew I should be ahead of there. After the big hill I felt pretty good in the breeze and thought I picked it up a bit, not much the Garmin says. Finished in 2:50:25, the slowest of 5 ATBs in a row, even the first. That's slightly slower than my LSD pace, so I guess that's what it was. Great times hanging out after, chatting and watching people finish. Loud in there though. Then Jo-Jo bought me a beer, that was good too. Thanks, Jo-Jo! Glad to head out, I was exhausted. I will live to race another day!

consider it a good lsd!

maybe it's not just the blood... maybe you are fighting something? take it easy for a few days.

A tough day at the office, Sheldon, and you got it done, despite all the challenges you face .. congrats on finishing your 5th ATB in a row, and will make the 217th Edition in 2011 even sweeter, I bet ...

Great race report Sheldon. Despite not having your best day out there, you still looked on the bright side and found all the good things about the day

Sorry to hear it was such a tough race, Sheldon. You have a good attitude about it, which is great.

I wonder if it's more than just the blood donation, though, since you already seemed to have an issue (high resting HR) when you went in. It would be worth it to have your hemoglobin, ferritin, and other stuff checked, just to be sure. Good luck.

Jwolf wrote:Sorry to hear it was such a tough race, Sheldon. You have a good attitude about it, which is great.

I wonder if it's more than just the blood donation, though, since you already seemed to have an issue (high resting HR) when you went in. It would be worth it to have your hemoglobin, ferritin, and other stuff checked, just to be sure. Good luck.

It was great seeing you today Sheldon...and having time for a visit. But I confess I was a tad worried...you looked pale..and your lips were kinda blue.

I agree with Jen...I'd see about getting some bloodwork done.

Yep...your devoted Fan for another race season for sure

Sounds like you had a tough day at the office. I echo the concern that others are voicing - there may be more than meets the eye that you should get checked if you don't bounce back soon. Something's not right.

Still a solid distance. Hope there is nothing else behind the HR stuff... take it easy dude and like you said, live to race another day.

Hey Sheldon, take is easy and recover. Has your resting heart rate gone back to normal? It never hurts to go for a annual checkup and get some blood work done. Based on this, I will not donate blood 'til after the marathon

Hey Sheldon, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm surprised you'd have so much difficulty for so long after giving blood- maybe it would be a good idea to get some blood work done and check your vitamin/iron levels too. Good on you for toughing it out at least- running 30km is definitely better than not running 30km even if you're not thrilled with the result. You'll be back in race form soon. There's a 5K/10 miler in Burlington on Friday... just sayin'.

Sheldon, nice to see you again. When we spoke before the race I think you pretty much knew what was in store for you, and had a plan. You know, if afer giving blood your volme is down then maybe, just maybe a few more beers wil top up the tank

Rest up for your next race and then rememer all of those mocked you today !

Dave

Thanks for the report Sheldon.

Dialling it back when you're not having an "on" day is the smart thing to do. As others have said, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get checked out by a real doctor if you're not feeling yourself.

Mid_Packer wrote:Sheldon, nice to see you again. When we spoke before the race I think you pretty much knew what was in store for you, and had a plan.
Dave

Yes, it wasn't totally unexpected and that's what made it an okay day. Just one week ago, I was worried about finishing, as I did a 16 K run and had to pause for 5 minutes after 10 K. So I am rebounding well, just not 100% yet. As such I don't think I will persue any medical testing. I thought at first it might be a lung infection because one of the symptoms was shortness of breath. I'll be fine soon enough I'm sure, and back to better than ever races.

Doonst... are you being a "typical male", and not seeking medical advise when it's obvious to everyone else that you need to get this checked out? Promise me you'll call today and book a physical, k? It may be just as you said, a set back due to donating, but then again...

Sheldon,

It was nice to see you again!

I think you handled the circumstances correctly.

I hope you get some good rest and are back out there soon!

Lisa

Sorry for the tough race, but congrats on completing!!

Way to tough it out Sheldon. It might not be your best in terms of time, but perhaps in terms of challenge it must be right up there? Glad we had a chance to chat yesterday, too.

Good job out there, Sheldon! Sounds like it was fun meeting up with other Maniacs. Heal up quickly!

trixiee wrote:Doonst... are you being a "typical male", and not seeking medical advise when it's obvious to everyone else that you need to get this checked out? Promise me you'll call today and book a physical, k? It may be just as you said, a set back due to donating, but then again...

Listen to Trix!

regardless - congrats on #5 of ATBs!

Doonster, you are the Man!!

Once again Sheldon I'm sorry to have hurt your feelings for not mentioning you in my report as one of my fast friends. Do not worry that much, you are in my list of super heroes.

Just one thing, I noticed just before I passed you that you were pressing your feet extremely hard against the ground while running. I have ran beside you other times, but I never noticed that. Maybe the donation of blood had you too weak to run a good race. Since I passed you, I expected the rest of the race that you would pass me back. Anyway, forget about donating blood before big races. You did great under those adverse and agravating conditions....

Beer , I missed the Beer! Way to be on giving blood but it sure did take the wind out of your sails. I know when I am having a bad day I try to convince myself to slow down and enjoy … easier said then done! Glad you were able to bring it home and it sounds like the last few Ks when the Grim Reapers optioned seem viable to most you were coming around… great way to finish. Look forward to seeing you out there in the Forest.

Not your best, but still a good day. You made it to the start which is more than I could do. Get 100% soon.

A tough race under those conditions. Hard to run a fast race so soon after giving blood.
Rest up, get well and have a great spring season.

I'm chasing a sub-2:30 next year at ATB and one of those d@mn silver medals. Hope you can join me for a quiet race in 2011.

I was glad to see you after the finish - I was actually quite concerned when I passed you on the course when usually you are WAAAAAAAAAY ahead of me. You still ran a strong race. Congratulations on finishing.