Well folks, 3 times proved NOT to be a charm for this running fool.

[SKKY]

Did an ultramarathon this weekend (Or it did me, depending on your point of view) and had to drop 58KM into the 101KM race. I trained well, and in the weeks leading up to it, felt very strong with the exception of a small bout of tendinitis in my right toe. What did me in was sleeping only 3 hours the night before the race. I woke up feeling just dead, and could never quite get the fog of sleepiness out of my brain. At one point, about 40KM into it, I actually tripped while running because I had dozed off. Considering the most dangerous portion of this race is night, I decided to not risk serious injury and drop. In the two previous years, I always got tired around the 65KM point, but not to where I was falling asleep. Suppose I'll try and sleep more next year. Fuck, I hate admitting defeat!

[Heidi]

1. I realize this will be of little comfort to you,

but you got about 48 times further than most people would. :yourock:

[SKKY]

2. Thanks Heidi!

I know. I should be happy getting that far. But after finishing the last 2 years, and improving my time last year by more than 4 hours over 2007, I had high hopes for this year and am disappointed. I'm trying to qualify for the Western States 100, and invested a lot training wise into making a qualifying time. Oh well, next year I suppose.

[Heidi]

3. That's right. You're a young guy,

and there's always next year. But don't forget to sleep first! :hug:

[SKKY]

4. I don't know about "young"...

...I mean, I'm 38 years old, but I still feel pretty young. I never would have imagined doing something like this in my 20s.

[cwydro]

5. I've never run an ultramarathon,

but have run the usual 5K and 10K races. The 7 Mile Bridge run down here is my favorite.

It really kills you to have to quit in a race, but sometimes you have to listen to your body.

They just had a 100 miler though the Keys this weekend.

[SKKY]

8. That would be a sweet run to try!

Once I get my 63 mile time in under 15, the next stop is 100 miles.

[cwydro]

9. Very hot down here right now,

but this is the second year of the race, called the Keys100. I tried to find a link for you, but I'm at work and can't get some sites.

One thing I can tell you is, except for the bridges (43 of them), it is very, very flat.

I saw the runners on both Saturday and Sunday. They have a 32 hour time limit. There's also a 50 miler that starts in Marathon and goes to KW. Either way you'll cross that 7 Mile Bridge. A beautiful run all the way, with the Gulf on one side and the Atlantic on the other.

So maybe next year!

[SKKY]

10. Wow. That 100 miler sound very promising...

...and considering it's flat, perhaps it would be a nice one to try before doing the WS 100.

[ThomCat]

6. I'm sorry that lack of sleep held you back.

:(

It's amazing to me that anyone can run that far. I admire the discipline and dedication it takes to get out there and keep going. But I'm very glad you are smart enough to know your safe limits too. :hug:

Next year you will master that ultramarathon. :)

I hope you are able to get the rest you need. Be well. :hug:

[SKKY]

7. Thanks for the kind words ThomCat!

I guess the big disappointment is, as much as anything, the tremendous amount of work I put into training this year. I won't make the same mistake next year, that's for sure. Of course, I could make all kinds of different mistakes, but not the same as this year! :patriot:

[petronius]

11. That's still a pretty epic achievement! (And, having enough brain function remaining

to make the right call after 36 miles of running is pretty impressive as well.)

Good luck on the next one!

[SKKY]

12. Thanks much! Brain function in the most liberal sense, I assure you...

...I was "jabbering nonsense" to the aid workers. That's what they told me.