This race was truly humbling, on a number of levels. I signed up for the 6 Hour race so I could have ample time to get in my twenty miles I'd planned as part of my training. Beyond that consideration, I didn't think much about this race in the weeks leading up to it. This turned out to be quite the mistake. I'd forgotten Rule No. 1: respect the race and all of its idiosyncrasies. Running isn't simply about the distance; it is also about the mindset, the resolve, and the mental fortitude to keep going when the situation begins to break down.
Having ran the Monday immediately following Cactus Rose 50M with no problem, I failed to notice and address the psychological toll Cactus Rose had taken on my psyche. It's relatively easy to get out and pick up the miles day-in and day-out when it is habit and so ingrained in one's daily routine; psychology often doesn't come into the equation in my day-to-day running. So, in the time between Cactus Rose and Run Like the Wind, I simply logged the miles, not realizing how much "fortitude" I'd spent in the training leading up to and in the running of Cactus Rose.
Run Like the Wind, however, required much more than logged miles. The race is timed, whether 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours. It is run around a 1K loop. He who logs the most kilometers in his time frame wins the race. It's a mind-numbingly repetitive endeavor. Now, I've done my fair share of mind-numbing work (i.e., law school; editing; dealing with opposing counsel; et cetera), but I was wholly unprepared for this. First, I didn't plan ahead of time how I would approach the "numbers." Was I going to count down from my goal lap count? Count up? Go by kilometers, or miles? I hadn't even thought about it in the least. This meant I was grappling with it while running, which continued to break down my mental resolve with each little step. Second, I failed to just take the race as it was; rather, I approached it as if I had the finish in the bag, whatever finish that may have been. Paired with what I detail below, all told I ran for about an hour and twenty minutes of the originally planned six. Funny how things happen... The prideful part of my personality would like to note, for the record, I did get in another 10 miles the following day, just for good measure.
A number of other factors also took small bits from my mental fortitude. First, the race began at 10:30 a.m. I've done 4 a.m. starts, 5 a.m. starts, 8 p.m. starts, but never a mid-day start like this. I had no idea, and barely planned on, what my pre-race nutrition would look like. Even when I did decide what I would do (full breakfast and pre-race snack), I didn't plan my travel accordingly, so I was left scrounging at Starbucks and the hotel continental breakfast buffet. Needless to say, my stomach did not fair well. Too much of everything: too much peanut butter; too much fruit; and too much protein and fat. Second, I drank way too much caffeine prior to the race, mostly in an attempt to, uh, get things moving. This backfired into a brick in my stomach, as well as an incredibly unsettling case of tunnel vision that began with my first step of the race. I believe the caffeine also contributed to the third "chip:" tightness in my chest. At rest and while walking, I felt fine; however, my chest would become too tight to ignore when I began to run. I'd never experienced it before, so it was rather disturbing. This ultimately was the straw that broke the runner's resolve: I refuse to mess around with chest tightness for the sake of a finish. There may have been no blood or visible bones, but that is fine by me. A few other things of note: (1) I forgot to charge my iPod shuffle, which I tend to rely on to set the tone and groove in the beginning of a run; (2) I kept my sweater on for the start of the race, despite the rising temperatures; and (3) I had over-scheduled my weekend while in Austin, leaving me tense to get to a finish and on with the weekend.
I was, and remain, very disappointed in how I approached this race. I've been looking forward to it for two years now, having not been able to participate due to final exams, and I basically blew it. I'm not sure how many times I will have to learn the lesson, but here it is again: Respect the race. Respect the distance. Prepare accordingly.
All of the above being said, I still had a great time at the race while there. It was so wonderful to see my Hill Country Trail Running family. I'm afraid I may have been too upset with myself to hang around afterward and spend more time with everyone; for that, my apologies! I'm looking forward to Rocky Raccoon in February to make up for it. Great job to everyone who came out to the race, toed the line, and put their best foot forward. It was all for a great cause and I'm so proud to call each of you a friend. And to Sammy, thank you for doing so much to put this race on, host all of us, and devote your time and energy to such a wonderful approach to a growing problem around the country.
Until next year, run like the wind, my friends.
Run Like the Wind 6 Hour Race
Austin, Texas
Total Time: 1:22
Total Distance: 13K
Having ran the Monday immediately following Cactus Rose 50M with no problem, I failed to notice and address the psychological toll Cactus Rose had taken on my psyche. It's relatively easy to get out and pick up the miles day-in and day-out when it is habit and so ingrained in one's daily routine; psychology often doesn't come into the equation in my day-to-day running. So, in the time between Cactus Rose and Run Like the Wind, I simply logged the miles, not realizing how much "fortitude" I'd spent in the training leading up to and in the running of Cactus Rose.
Run Like the Wind, however, required much more than logged miles. The race is timed, whether 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours. It is run around a 1K loop. He who logs the most kilometers in his time frame wins the race. It's a mind-numbingly repetitive endeavor. Now, I've done my fair share of mind-numbing work (i.e., law school; editing; dealing with opposing counsel; et cetera), but I was wholly unprepared for this. First, I didn't plan ahead of time how I would approach the "numbers." Was I going to count down from my goal lap count? Count up? Go by kilometers, or miles? I hadn't even thought about it in the least. This meant I was grappling with it while running, which continued to break down my mental resolve with each little step. Second, I failed to just take the race as it was; rather, I approached it as if I had the finish in the bag, whatever finish that may have been. Paired with what I detail below, all told I ran for about an hour and twenty minutes of the originally planned six. Funny how things happen... The prideful part of my personality would like to note, for the record, I did get in another 10 miles the following day, just for good measure.
A number of other factors also took small bits from my mental fortitude. First, the race began at 10:30 a.m. I've done 4 a.m. starts, 5 a.m. starts, 8 p.m. starts, but never a mid-day start like this. I had no idea, and barely planned on, what my pre-race nutrition would look like. Even when I did decide what I would do (full breakfast and pre-race snack), I didn't plan my travel accordingly, so I was left scrounging at Starbucks and the hotel continental breakfast buffet. Needless to say, my stomach did not fair well. Too much of everything: too much peanut butter; too much fruit; and too much protein and fat. Second, I drank way too much caffeine prior to the race, mostly in an attempt to, uh, get things moving. This backfired into a brick in my stomach, as well as an incredibly unsettling case of tunnel vision that began with my first step of the race. I believe the caffeine also contributed to the third "chip:" tightness in my chest. At rest and while walking, I felt fine; however, my chest would become too tight to ignore when I began to run. I'd never experienced it before, so it was rather disturbing. This ultimately was the straw that broke the runner's resolve: I refuse to mess around with chest tightness for the sake of a finish. There may have been no blood or visible bones, but that is fine by me. A few other things of note: (1) I forgot to charge my iPod shuffle, which I tend to rely on to set the tone and groove in the beginning of a run; (2) I kept my sweater on for the start of the race, despite the rising temperatures; and (3) I had over-scheduled my weekend while in Austin, leaving me tense to get to a finish and on with the weekend.
I was, and remain, very disappointed in how I approached this race. I've been looking forward to it for two years now, having not been able to participate due to final exams, and I basically blew it. I'm not sure how many times I will have to learn the lesson, but here it is again: Respect the race. Respect the distance. Prepare accordingly.
All of the above being said, I still had a great time at the race while there. It was so wonderful to see my Hill Country Trail Running family. I'm afraid I may have been too upset with myself to hang around afterward and spend more time with everyone; for that, my apologies! I'm looking forward to Rocky Raccoon in February to make up for it. Great job to everyone who came out to the race, toed the line, and put their best foot forward. It was all for a great cause and I'm so proud to call each of you a friend. And to Sammy, thank you for doing so much to put this race on, host all of us, and devote your time and energy to such a wonderful approach to a growing problem around the country.
Until next year, run like the wind, my friends.
Run Like the Wind 6 Hour Race
Austin, Texas
Total Time: 1:22
Total Distance: 13K
