Western update- I'm OK

A quick update before we leave California to make sure everyone knows I am not in ill health.  I gave what I had on Saturday- and then some.  The problem was that I had very little to give and that was obvious from the start.  Even in the cool high country where I usually thrive, my body wanted very little to do with any racing.  So, I was patient and worked my way up from 15th, eventually down to 7t place.  I ran up no hills of any consequence all day as my body just wouldn't allow it.  I had planned to climb well in the canyons, but no way!  By Devil's Thumb, I was a cramping mess.  I got a boost from Brandi, Katie and Molly at Michigan Bluff.  I got another boost by passing Jorge Maravilla (great guy) in Volcano Canyon.  Things were looking up once I got my pacer Matty Tock.

I caught Hal after Cal 2 and move into 7th.  However, I was sitting in the Cal Street aid stations a long time trying to subdue the cramps.  Karl Meltzer passed me near Fords Bar.  I walked most of Fords to the River and was caught by two other top-10 runners (Jesse Haynes and Paul Terranova).  I reached the river (mile 78) in a group with these guys. It was 106 degrees.  I tripped over my feet as my hip flexor seized and I fainted in front of the doctors at the aid station.  I was pretty woozy for a while, but I begged them for time to get myself together.  I begged them to call call Craig Thornley and ask him to tell them the story about how he laid in the Highway 49 (mile 93.5) aid for 4 hours while recovering to finish under 24 hours.  The problem was that I was cramping so badly when I laid down and the tension came out of my muscles, that they thought I was in medical danger.  They made the call to disqualify me and put an IV in my arm, against my protesting for more time.  I respect their decision, but I know myself and believe I could have pulled it together and finished- if given the time to do so.

So what happened to my body out there?  I was weak from the start.  I cramped long before the heat came- at a pace that should have been easy for me.  Pretty much the same as in my DNF at Bighorn last year.  This time, I just took it much easier from the start, so I made it further.  The problem has got to be seasonal for me.  I have decided that from now on, my race calendar will run from August to early December.  I may race outside of that- but not any goal races- just fun.  That means no more WS100.  I am OK with that.  It is an incredible race and I enjoyed it immensely.  But, I have learned that to get the best from myself, I must listen, learn and adapt to what my body dictates. 

Excited to get home and get back to normal.  Our race (McCall Trailrunning Classic 10/20/40) is just 2 weekends from now.  It's going to be a great summer in the mountains.  Zero regrets!

Thank you to my wonderful wife for allowing me to sacrifice and pursue this crazy dream.  Thank you to my crew- Brandi, Molly and Katie.  A huge thanks to my pacer Matt Tock.  He flew out for the race Saturday morning!!!  I hope everyone enjoyed it and had some fun, regardless of the outcome. 

And of course, a huge thanks to my sponsors SCOTT Sports, Vespa and VFuel for helping me with my quest.  I will keep striving to earn my spot on your teams.

I will post some pics and other thoughts if I get some time in the next week.

Jer