Monday, July 1, 2013

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

9 comments:

  1. Damn man, so bummed to hear this!

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  2. Jer - was watching you all day. Sorry to hear that it ended like this but am glad to hear you fought well, learned from this and most importantly are okay. You continue to inspire bro.

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  3. Thanks for the love guys. I really appreciate it. I could not have done any better with what I had on Saturday. I'll reload the quiver and get after it in a few weeks. I'm pretty hobbled for now. I battled the shin thing all winter, thought I had it licked, but I ripped something in there while jogging with my wife just 8 days before the race. Near Lion Ridge (10mi), I felt it tear a little, but I popped one Aleve and it subsided. Now it is all swollen and painful. Good reason to take it easy a while.

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  4. Glad to hear the tale - was watching all day and knew something pretty serious must be up. Recover well - you're so damn strong that won't be too much of a problem. Can't wait to see what the future holds for you and good luck RDing in a couple of weeks - yeoman's work that is (and, in my opinion, a heck of a lot tougher than running!). Good on you.

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    1. My chainsaw is currently terrorizing the Payette National Forest trails. VRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. Perfect therapy- both physical and mental.

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  5. Jeremy! We were in Rifle and thought about you all day. We got home last night at 2am, and checked the WS race results page first thing (after moving the boys in their beds ;) Then we went to your blog, and found out about your wild battle, way to go friend. We knew it was a big mission on Saturday, and it is super impressive to see how hard you went at it. Hope you recover soon, take care of yourself, and big hugs to you and Brandi from us. -Chloe

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    1. Hi guys. Thanks for the support. I tried my best- much harder than I ever have- but got next to no help from my body. Just wasn't my day. Felling much better already. Ankle is pretty ripped up, but should be able to start running in another week or so. We're definitely coming to visit the front range sometime this summer. Can't wait to see everyone.
      Jer

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  6. Glad to see you're taking the lessons learned and moving forward. Reload my friend and get back after it!

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    1. Thanks man. I'll nail one later this summer. Are you good for pacing on the Slammer?

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