How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Da Deer Run Run 8K Cross Country Race

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Location:

Eugene,OR,USA

Member Since:

Nov 09, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

  • 5k PR - 18:48 (7/04/08)
  • 8K PR - 33:46 (5/19/07, on trails)
  • 10k PR - I have not run a competitive 10K yet.
  • 12K PR - 50:10 (8/09/08)
  • 15K PR - 1:04:52 (3/22/08)
  • Marathon - Have run 1 trail marathon, (Grand Island) 3:55 (July 2007)
  • Ultra Marathons -
  • Farmdale 33.5 miles, 10/08 - 6:08
  • Riddle Run 28 Miles, 01/09 - 5:35 (run in 2-3 inches of snow)
  • Devil's Lake 50k, 07/09 - 6:22
  • Howl at the Moon 8 hour, 08/09 - 39.98 miles
  • North Country Trail Run 50 miles, 09/09 - 9:44
  • Farmdale 32 miles, 10/09 - 5:45
  • McNotAgain 30 Miles, 10/09 - 5:50
  • Red Rock Canyon Half, Las Vegas, 06/12 - 2:15


Short-Term Running Goals:

Keep running in the winter - 1st year in Eugene - fun!

Long-Term Running Goals:

Keep on Keeping on..

Personal:

Moved to Eugene in Autumn, 2012 - Track city USA!

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: Da Deer Run Run 8K Cross Country Race (5 Miles) 00:39:00, Place overall: 21, Place in age division: 6
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.000.005.000.0011.00

Weather - 19 degrees, cloudy, windy. I woke this morning feeling well rested and excited about the race. When I began my drive to Bloomington it was 29 degrees, which seemed pleasant enough. I noticed that every 5 miles traveled on the highway the temperature dropped 1 degree, so that when I arrived at the race site it was 19 degrees. After registering I ran 2 easy miles on the plowed asphalt roads that circled the park. My legs felt refreshed and strong, and my lungs were close to full breathing capacity. As I stretched I gazed out at the course, it was covered in 1-2 inches of snow/ice, and I did not want to think about what that would mean. Standing at the start line with 115 runners I placed myself at the middle of the group. When the starter blew his whistle I tried to get into a comfortable pace, and tucked in behind a group of runners after passing 9-10 people in the first 400 meters. The first mile was uneventful, although some of it was into the wind, and since I was not thoroughly warm yet my face stung from the cold. We had to cross 4 knee high hurdles during the first mile. I noticed some of the runners were able to cross these without breaking stride, one foot landing atop the bar and then pushing forward. I did not trust my balance, and so I slowed down for each and used two hands to push myself over. I did not make any moves or surges during this part of the race and I think I was passed by 1 runner. The course consisted of a number of small ascents and descents, and many sharp turns, which required the use of caution to avoid slipping. When I crossed the 1 mile marker an 8:30 split was called out. I realized my pace was too comfortable, and I started to push harder. I passed 5 or 6 people within the next 400 meters, but I soon realized the difficulty of moving at a quicker pace. It seemed impossible to get firm footing, with each step I did not know if either of my feet were going to curl inwards, splay outwards, or land flat. After securing itself on the ground, the foot would then push off on a base layer of ice. This caused me to expend more energy than normal, and I could feel myself begin to tire. When I reached the 2 mile marker a 15:02 split was called, and I knew something was wrong, as I could not have run a 6:30 mile, so I guessed that the first mile was marked long. At about 2 3/4 mile I felt a burst of energy and made a fast surge, passing 3-4 people in quick succession. I then could see nobody ahead of me, and I realized I was going to have to lead a pack of runners for the final two miles, which did not seem appealing. I usually surge strong until reaching the next group, but because I could not find one I had to decide when to slow down. That decision was made easy for me when I passed the 3 mile marker. I was cutting a sharp left turn on a descent and when my left foot pushed off the ice it lost its balance and I fell on my left knee, both hands on the ground, my right leg flat on the snow. I was momentarily stunned, because I had never before fallen while running. After being down for 2-3 seconds, I got up as quickly as I could, and tried to regain the previous pace, which I could not do. An image of Lasse Viren falling in the 10000 meter '72 Olympics flashed into my brain landscape. I slowed down a bit, and I waited for the runners behind me to catch up. I thought this might be a good thing, because running alone on the windswept course was probably not the best strategy. One runner was gaining on me, and I could feel myself getting tense, wondering how I was going to fare during the final mile and a half. The best thought of the race occurred at this point. I told myself to relax, to feel this as it was - a run through the winter woods. I became more aware of the outer surroundings, leaving my inner anguish to itself. My stride grew longer, easier, and my breath grew deeper. I may have even smiled a bit. When I reached the 4 mile mark no runners had yet caught me, I was still alone, and I was gaining on someone up ahead. About 1000 meters to go I was passed by a runner who was hitting it hard, and I wished I could have challenged him, but I knew I did not have a 1000meter surge left in the tank. I put my head down and tried to gut it out. With 400 meters to go I caught the runner I was chasing and he moved aside to let me pass. However, just at this moment I died, and could not pass. He turned and looked at me, saw that I was struggling, and he picked up his pace. We ran stride for stride, crossing 3 more hurdles together. I noticed someone was gaining on the two of us, and if I did not do something soon, I knew I would be passed yet again. With 100 meters to go I saw the finish chute and I instinctively kicked hard. I felt elated to have found an extra gear or two, and I left the runner beside me and crossed in 39 minutes even, 4 seconds ahead of him. I realize that a 7:52 pace is quite slow, but I need to remember that I am currently not in race shape, and with the course conditions being what they were, I am pleased with my effort. After the race I ran a 1 mile cool down, ate a banana and a Cliff bar, and drank some water. When I returned the rental car in Urbana it was 31 degrees and raining. Being 3 miles from home, I decided to run 2 miles to Carle Park instead of walking in the rain, so I was able to accumulate some additional mileage. When I reached the park I did 3 sets of strength exercises, stretched again, and walked 20 minutes home. I wish all days could be like this one.

Comments
From MichelleL on Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 10:55:31

Good job digging deep at the end. It sounds like rough conditions in a race. I can't even imagine jumping over hurdles at all in a race, let alone with snow and ice on either side.

From will on Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 21:41:47

Thanks for the comment. I hope to learn some things about running from your blog!

From Chris Weidman on Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 11:26:06

wow - great race and report! I can understand the shock of falling - I was in a desert trail run in Arizona a few years back and we had to go down this hill of loose rocks - well...1/4 way down, and I just slipped and started falling and rolling down - got to the bottom all cut up and bleeding - but I finished! ugh, the worst experience falling - but you did very well in recovering! Great race!

From will on Fri, Dec 21, 2007 at 22:58:21

Thanks for the comment, Chris. I enjoy reading your blog, your dedication is going to bring you far!

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