Sehgahunda II and its aftermath - Saturday, 5/28/11 to Monday, 5/30/11

Sat, 5/28/11: 22.07 miles, 6:07:44, 65F, a bit of sun, calm, very muddy conditions, gave it everything I had.


First ... I did not finish the Sehgahunda Trail Marathon. I got farther than I did last year ... I got to Check Point 6 (CP6). Second ... I didn't jet to Dansville ... an ambulance took me. My Garmin must have caught a fix when I was unloaded.

I pushed myself to my limits. My memories are clouded and fuzzy but here is what I remember ...

A pre race kiss ...

I think we were listening to Boots ...

The start ... CJ and I got to the start around 7:40AM. The weather was pretty good, about 60F and a cloudy sun. There was the usual group of serious endurance runners milling around the parking lot at the Mount Morris Dam. The timing chips were delayed getting back from the packet pickup at the finish at the parade grounds down in Portageville due to the truck getting stuck in the mud on the washed out roads ... such a good sign. The pre-race instructions were the usual plus dire warnings of slippery rocks at the stream crossings. The solo women went off about 10 minutes late. The solo men went off 15 minutes later. The relay runners went off 30 minutes afterwards ... behind me.

The start

Up to CP1, 6.1 miles ... I knew this part of the course well. The mud was not too deep and manageable. The creek crossings were swift at times but easily crossed. I passed a couple of solo women very close to where I was headed up to CP1. I would see a couple of them later around CP6 when they repassed me. The climb up to CP1 (and all the other climbs to other CPs) revealed the true nature of Sehgahunda ... lots of deep mud. By deep, I mean at least 6 inches of mud or more at points. The trail conditions were bad ... then got worse. At points one step in the mud equaled the exertion of one step plus half a step sideways. Sometimes the mud tried to take my shoe off. On the way up to CP1 from the trail I had crossed several mudfields. I was running well, I was in good spirits. I gave hand slaps to runners I knew as they were coming down from CP1. I didn't see CJ at CP1. I had a gel or two and headed back into the mix.

 Coming up to CP2

Gelling at CP2

Up to CP3, 15.4 miles ... I made it the 2.5 miles up to CP2 without incident. CJ was there and gave me encouragement. Back down the trail I went. I could feel a hot spot on my right pinkie toe and knew I was developing a blister. Back down on the trail I had to make a decision about my blister. It hurt to walk and it hurt to run due to my blister. I decided that it hurt less to run so I tried to run. It did hurt less plus I was taking fewer steps on my blister. I tried to ignore the pain which worked mostly. Eventually I made 6.8 miles and up through the mud fields to CP3. CJ was there and help me put a bandage on my blister and found my spare socks so I could change my socks. It was amazing how much better my feet felt with clean socks ... the clean which didn't last long.

I think this is CP4 ...

Up to CP6, 21.9 miles ... I was still feeling OK as I went down from CP3. I vaguely remember going 2.3 miles to CP4 and and then 1.7 miles to CP5. I do remember that there was NOT an awful lot to eat at CP4 and CP5 that I wanted to eat. I just had my gels, water and Heed for nourishment. I just went on and on ... 2.5 more miles to CP6. I crossed creeks and streams when I had to, I slogged through mud fields, I stepped over logs, I was so very conscious of NOT falling and breaking anything like last year when I fell and broke a rib. I saw nice waterfalls along the trail. My running (probably walking is more accurate) was labored, my fingers were tingling. I knew I was in trouble. I willed myself onward. I told a fellow runner, Marilee, that I was having trouble. When I was walking up to CP6 I saw a volunteer coming down to me. She was a nurse and a wife of a fellow runner. She helped me up the long slope to CP6 and sat me down.

I really tried to collect myself and continue on, I really did. I had been on the trail for more than 6 hours. I knew I was so close ... just about a mile or two down the trail from CP6 was a dirt road and then a cinder trail to the finish, 4.4 miles total. If I had gone back out on the trail I would have collapsed in the mud somewhere. Luckily ... somehow I ended up on a gurney and then into an ambulance. I am a bit foggy on how it happened. I don't remember my timing chip being taken off. I took oxygen and tried to urinate which was hard to do with compression shorts on. I think I almost got more myself in the ambulance but then everything went south. I was in an ambulance on my way to the Dansville Hospital ... again. The ambulance attendants knew me from last year. CJ says that they drive pretty fast ... 70 in a 40 mph zone at one point.

The rest of the day is foggy. I knew I was in the Dansville Hospital ... again. CJ says the same ER nurse took care of me ... again. I was asked questions. I remember CJ having trouble getting my trail shoes off ... I helped her with one of them. I don't remember the mud on my legs being washed off. I don't remember getting stuck with an IV. CJ tells me that I was dehydrated ... that my sodium level was 123, normal was 139. I vaguely remember a chest X-Ray and a CT. I remember vomiting, trying to get it into a bag. I remember my bedding in the ER being changed ... I guess I was quite a mess. I remember being told I was being admitted. I vaguely remember an elevator ride up to my room. I definitely remember my muscles trembling uncontrollably for hours. I remember CJ being very concerned. She was certain that I was either having a heart attack or a stroke. She had never seen anyone exhibit the symptoms that I was displaying in all her years in the health field. I remember CJ rarely leaving my side. I remember being so very tired but being unable to let go of consciousness to let myself go to sleep ... I think I was afraid of not waking up. I got a shot to relax me and I finally got some sleep sometime in the middle of the Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, I don't know when ... CJ had told news of me on Facebook. My brother, sister, children and my fellow runners were concerned. My phone was somewhere so I couldn't call anyone ... not that I had the energy.

Also, let me congratulate the finishers of Sehgahunda ... results here. It would have been nice to have at least a DNF next to my name in the results down at the bottom. I am sure that the other 16 DNFs echo my thought. I salute your stamina and endurance ... you tested yourselves and conquered Sehgahunda!

Sun, 5/29/11: Dansville Hospital.

I woke up in a hospital bed with an IV hooked to my right arm. CJ had stayed the night next to my bed in a chair. I was on a clear liquid diet for breakfast ... it tasted good. CJ had to head back to Mount Morris around 9AM to check out of the hotel. We didn't spend the second night there at all. CJ got back by lunchtime ... I had a bit more to eat. By supper I was on a regular diet. I was told that my sodium was not up to normal yet plus one of my heart indicators was not normal. I would need an echo-cardiogram on Monday so I would need to stay another night. I got my echo-cardiogram later on Sunday, it was normal. It was kind of cool to see my heart valves opening and closing. CJ went home around 7PM ... I was going to get a roommate. Later that night, we got a free light show ... an intense line of thunderstorms moved through.

Mon, 5/30/11: Dansville hospital, then home.

One thing about hospitals ... you don't get much rest. I woke up around 4:30AM and then slept in bits between a blood draw and an IV bag being changed until breakfast around 8AM. I was told that my sodium level was back up to normal at 139. The nurse urged me to get up and walk around. I think she was pulling my leg when she told me that 18 times around the ward was a mile ... they wanted to look at my heart rate while I was exercised. So I got up and started walking around the ward while I rolled my IV alongside me. The doctor soon OKed my discharge. His instructions were clear ... NO running until I had been checked out by my primary doctor. He was said not to use the supplements that I took during the race again. I called CJ. She came down and picked me up.



The damage ... IV on the right arm, blood draw on the left arm

My brother called me while I was still in the hospital. He expressed the following thoughts ... maybe I should call it a day with Sehgahunda, twice Sehgahunda has had my number, maybe I should volunteer or be part of a relay team instead. All good, wise thoughts that I will consider in the next year.

On our way home, we ate lunch at the North Shore Grill in Lakeville. It is quite a nice restaurant with a dock right on Conesus Lake. So much better that eating lunch at McDonald's which was our original intention. It was nice to be alive and looking out on the water. I texted that I was on my way home.

CJ and I were glad to be home. We promptly went to bed and slept for hours. Two of my kids called me. My daughter had DVD problems on her laptop and my youngest son was worried about me. He just got a job at Bryne's Dairy in Phelps!

We reconnected our laptops and reconnected with the Facebook world. I tried to look at all the Sehgahunda pictures and reply to all my comments of concern. I want to thank all who were concerned about me and sent me well wishes.

I am still evaluating my Sehgahunda experience. According to my data, I drank 158 oz of water from my Camelbak, about 5 quarts during 6 hours plus what water or Heed I drank from the CP tables. I consumed 4 2nd Surge Gels, 5 Roctane Gels, 4 Hammer Gels and 4 10 oz servings of EFS drink. I just can't see how I got dehydrated with not enough sodium. Did I over hydrate? Maybe I should have had a salt tablet? Maybe I had too much caffeine from the gels? I don't know.

EPILOGUE from 6/7/11: My primary doctor said that I overhyrdated, link from Wikipedia here, link from Wikipedia about Hyponatremia, here. I certainly had the symptoms: vomiting, confusion, lethargy, restlessness, and decreased consciousness.

Wrapping this saga up ... during the month of May I ran 118.75 miles, 13 runs out of 31 days with an average of 9.1 miles per run. So far this year I have run 508.9 miles, 80 runs out of 151 days with an average run of 6.4 miles per run.

What have I learned? Some people would tell you that I am stubborn and trying to kill myself. It seems that I can run well in races of 15 miles or less. Maybe I should concentrate on those races. There are plenty of them to keep me busy and maybe leave the extreme events to the young kids. A cost / benefit analysis would suggest that the cost of Sehgahunda for the past two years is not worth the benefit of being able to say I finished the race. It might be best to let the beast of Sehgahunda go ... it has bit me twice. But I do have a year to train for the next Sehgahunda.

Sunday, 5/22/11 to Friday, 5/27/11

I ran 2 times this week, 15.3 miles.

Sun, 5/22/11: 6.2 miles, 46:28, 7:30 pace, 74F, sunny, calm, 1 stop for water, no pain.


CJ and I woke up early enough to go down to Highland Park for the Lilac 10k ... I just didn't anticipate all the roadblocks that the police put up. I ended up backtracking back Monroe Ave to the Brighton Twelve Corners to get to Elmwood Ave so we could park at the Al Sigl Center. I did get up to the start in time. CJ couldn't get up close enough to see me start.

The Lilac 10K Start

My thighs were tight and a bit sore from racing on Friday. I started a bit farther back I like so I had to get around the slower runners before I could hit my stride. I took it nice and easy, 7:04 first mile. I passed the Fleet Feet cheering section at the corner on Monroe and Elmwood around mile 2. Thanks! I kept it going, 7:17, 7:15, 7:27. I did stop for water just before the 5 mile mark, 8:05 pace, for the uphill mile, 7:38 pace, on Highland Ave back to the finish.

Around mile 3 ...

 Heather on her way to a PR of 42:57

 Bill on his way to a 45:38 ... just 18 seconds shy of a PR!

My way back up Highland Ave

The finish!

I met up with CJ at the finish. We shot the breeze with fellow Fleet Feet runners and made our way to the Co-Op Center for post race chow and results. I did OK, 46:28, 7:30 pace. I finished 153rd out of 1231, link here. I finished 16th out of 77, link here. All in all, a pretty sweet way to spend a Sunday morning.

A lazy afternoon ensued. We stopped by BJ's on the way home to pick up some ribs which happened to be on sale, sweet and succulent. We watched The Green Hornet from OnDemand ... an OK flick. But how much green screen CGI and wired fighting sequences can you believe? I mean, c'mon!

I watched the last couple of minutes of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between Miami and Chicago. Miami won , link here. I must say that I am not too interested anymore.

Mon, 5/23/11: Rest day.

Just your normal Monday. I watched a bit of Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between Dallas and Oklahoma City. Dallas came from 15 points down at 84-99 with 5 minutes to go to win in OT, 112-105, link here. Dallas has a strangle hold on the series with a 3-1 lead plus going home for Game 5 on Wednesday.

Yes, it rained twice during the day. A line of rain came through around noon and a steady rain for about a hour just before midnight.

Tue, 5/24/11: Another rest day.

Another normal Tuesday. I installed the Flowmeter that I bought for my Camelbak Rogue. Then I tried on all the gear that I want to wear. I found that the Runningfunky gaiters that I bought are way too big around my ankles so they are a non-starter. Luckily, I only paid 7 bucks for them.

I wanted to get up early tomorrow morning for a gear test run so I tried to go to bed early. So ... I didn't see Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between Miami and Chicago. Miami won, 101-93, link here. Miami went up 3-1 to put a stranglehold on the series. Both Dallas and Miami are 1 win away from the NBA Finals.

Wed, 5/25/11: 9.1 miles, , 8:17 pace, 52F, sunny, calm, 1 hydration stop, no pain.


Garmin Connect Activity for Out to Thomas Ave via the east Zoo trail

I got up at 5:30AM and was out the door by 6:10AM for a test run with all the gear that I will be wearing at the Sehgahunda Trail Marathon on Saturday. I wore my Camelbak Rogue and my Amphipod belt with one 10.5 oz bottle of EFS energy drink. I had a 2nd Surge Energy Gel before I headed out. Everything felt fine, no unbearable bounces from the bottle on my hip. I hydrated and had a Roctane Gu at the turn. Again, everything felt fine ... just nice and easy. My Flowmeter told me that I drank 38 oz of water during the run and another 22 oz when I got done. Perhaps there is something to be said for early morning exercise!

I watched a bit of Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between Dallas and Oklahoma City. I was tired so I went to bed at the start of the 4th quarter, OKC was leading. Dallas came from 6 down to close out OKC, 100-96, link here.

Thu, 5/26/11: A taper day.

I developed a right hamstring pain, way up high near my butt, during the day. So when I got home, I put ice on it. Hopefully it will just go away and not bother me again.

I didn't watch a second of Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between Miami and Chicago. Miami closed out Chicago, 4-1, link here. The NBA Finals are set, Dallas vs Miami, starting on Tuesday, May 31st.

Fri, 5/27/11: Another taper day.

I took a half day off of work in advance of Sehgahunda tomorrow. CJ and I picked up my race packet at Fleet Feet and then eased on south to Mount Morris to stay at the Country Inn. Katie was working the front desk and was very happy to see us. She saw our Brooks Nightlife jackets coming in from the parking lot and knew it was a couple of runners. We had supper at the local McDonald's. I had an Angus, a side salad and a Vitamin Water. We relaxed in our room. We never did make it out to the pool. A thunderstorm moved through ... and gave even more rain to the mud that awaited me. My mind was racing when I tried to go to sleep. In my mind I was at the Sehgahunda start ... milling around for the start. I think I managed to get about 4 hours of interrupted sleep. My darling CJ was a saint and slept out in the car due to her snoring.

Sunday, 5/15/11 to Saturday, 5/21/11

I ran 3 times this week, 18.4 miles.

Sun, 5/15/11: Rest day.

A totally cool, damp and dreary day. A light mist fell practically the whole day. I went out to get the Sunday paper and a couple apple cinnamon donuts from Dunkin Donuts. Will it ever dry out for the Sehgahunda Trail Marathon in 2 weeks? Every time I got up during the day it was ... raining a light mist! When I thought it stopped ... it had changed to a real fine light mist!

I got some stuff done ... I put down a blue liner in the kitchen utensil drawer, some general organizing and took out the trash. I also signed up for the upcoming Appleblossom 10K and Lilac Festival 10K next week and Newark's Running for the Red 5K in June before settling in to watch the NBA playoffs.

The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies by 15 in Game 7 to advance to the NBA Western Conference Finals to meet the well rested Dallas Mavericks, link here. The Miami Heat beat the Chicago Bulls by 21 to win Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, link here. Chicago was ahead by 1 with about 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.

Mon, 5/16/11: Another rest day.

I think this is warranted. I looked ahead and realized that I have the usual Tuesday night Cobbs Hill run, Dirt Cheap #3 out in Webster on Wednesday, the Williamson 10K on Friday and the Lilac 10K on Sunday. So I will get my miles in.

I ordered some stuff from Roadrunnersports.com: an olive Runningfunky running gaiter, a 2nd Surge Ultra Energy Gel 8 pk in Chocolate, a Roctane 6pk in Vanilla Orange and and First Endurance EFS Orange Splash Drink Mix for Sehgahunda. I plan on doing one of each gel at check point. Also I plan on drinking 2 10 oz bottles of the EFS before check point #3, then refilling each bottle there with a big bottle stashed in the drop bag. That should give me enough fuel to get me through. I have to remember to make myself take time to keep my body fueled. I will be consuming at least 26 x 125 or 3250 calories during the race.




Tue, 5/17/11: 6.7 miles, 52: 57, 7:54 pace, 48F, cloudy, calm, no stops, no pain.

Garmin Connect Activity for Out to the Zoo, 3 times around the pond

It actually stopped misting for a hour or so today. I did see a bit of dry parking lot when I was at work. It started misting again in the late afternoon. I absolutely needed to get in a run but I didn't really want to head down to Fleet Feet. So I headed out to the old standby, the Seneca Park Zoo. I was surprised that it actually was not raining! I ran nice and steady and did the usual 3 loops. It started misting again on the way back ... of course! But it was a great run regardless!

The wet weather is affecting a lot of things ... the Lilac Festival has been canceled the past three days, the first time ever. Tomorrow's Dirt Cheap #2 out in Webster should be especially muddy!

I missed most of Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Final between Dallas and Oklahoma City, link here. So I missed most of Dirk's out of body shooting, 12-15 FG, 24-24 FT, for 48 points. Anyway, Dallas won Game 1, 121-112.

Wed, 5/19/11: 5.5 miles, 49:53, 9:04 pace, 66F, cloudy, calm, no stops, no pain.

 before ...

CJ's ankle wasn't up to it so I headed solo over to Webster for Dirt Cheap #2. The course had lots of water, the 100 yard creek run in ankle deep (or more) water and lots of mud. I ran nice and steady, didn't walk any hills, a light mist even fell during the last part of the race. I ran well, 51st out of 252, results here. I finished 4th out of 21 in my age group.

after ...

I didn't watch any of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Final between Miami and Chicago. Miami evened the series at 1-1, 85-75, link here. I went to bed early instead.

Thu, 5/20/11: Rest day.

A partly cloudy day, warmer than the past couple days, with ... wait for it ... a couple of showers during the day!

I didn't watch Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between Oklahoma City - Dallas but I did take a look at NBA.com occasionally. Oklahoma City evened the series at 1-1, link here.

Fri, 5/20/11: 6.2 miles, 43:48, 7:05 pace, 70F, sunny, calm, no stops, no pain, PR!



One good thing ... the weather broke! The sun actually came out in the afternoon and it will be a nice weekend! Yay!

The Appleblossom 5K and 10K start

CJ and I headed out to Williamson for the Appleblossom 10K. I really like this course ... flat (except for an occasional minor rise) and fast! I headed out fast like usual, 1st mile in 6:42 pace. I tried to concentrate on my form as much as I could ... stretching out, rolling through each stride, pumping my arms. I could tell that I was on a PR pace so I decided to just run as hard as I could. My pace was 7:09, 7:01, 7:08, 7:08 over miles 2, 3, 4 and 5. I held mile 6 at 7:11 and sprinted to the line at 6:30 pace. I came in under 44 minutes ... a lifetime PR by 16 seconds, baby! My 50-59 age group is tough! The winner was 50. I was 7th overall out of 56 but was 3rd in my age group in the next 6 runners. I did get a jar of jam though.

Chris W and I after the start

 Somewhere along Ridge Road

 The finish line

 7th overall, 3rd in my 50-59 age group

The bling ... finisher's medal and a jar of jam!

Sat: Rest day.

Just your basic run around day. I got my car inspected after a bit of work by my mechanic ... front pads, a bit of front end work, a rear spring, a rear strut and getting my emergency brake to work. My 99 Grand Am has 250K on it and does have warm up issues with its transmission and rust ... but at least it has working AC. Then CJ and I went to Medved to pick up my race packet for the Lilac 10k tomorrow and Fleet Feet to buy 3 tops for CJ. We carbo-loaded with some spaghetti and vegged out.

I didn't watch any of Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between Dallas and Oklahoma City.Dallas hung on to win 93-87 after being up 35-12 early in the 2nd, link here.

Sunday, 5/8/11 to Saturday, 5/14/11

I ran 3 times this week, 24.65 miles.

Sun, 5/8/11: Rest day.

I wished my lovely girlfriend, CJ, a Happy Mother's Day with a hug and kiss along with coffee and a Dunkin Donuts apple cimmanon donut. Happy Mother's Day to all the other mothers who might read this blog!

Later, I watched Game 4 of the Lakers - Mavericks 2nd round series. What a waste of time ... it was like watching a train wreck! The games was tied in the 1st quarter, 19 all. Then the Mavs just pulled away as they hit 3 after 3. It was like the basket was a mile wide for the Mavs and the size of a pea for the Lakers. The Dallas bench practically outscored the entire Laker team, 81-86! The Mavs hit 20 3's (a NBA final record BTW) for heaven's sake! The Lakers lost 86-122, link here and here. Now the NBA playoff team in a 0-3 hole is 0-99 in a 7 game series. It was completely predictable that the Lakers would be swept in a blowout ... it is in their nature. The 4th quarter cheap shots by Odum and especially Bynum were just their excuse to get tossed and avoid being around for the finale.

What a way for Phil Jackson to go out, 11 NBA titles in 20 years as a head coach, 5 Lakers titles in 7 trips to the NBA Finals, 1155 regular season victories ... his first time being swept in a 7 game series, opinion links here, here and here. I almost feel relief. I will not feel obligied to watch them when they play home games in a series ... well, because they're done. Stick a fork in them ... that team will be redone in the off-season with a new coach. I love the Lakers but they did have their faults that the Mavs exploited and laid bare for the world to see.

I put on my chef hat and made supper with CJ's help from the couch. I made pork chops, baked potatoes and green beans. They turned out pretty well!

CJ and I watched a Netflix movie that had been gathering moss in our Inbox. We took the time to watch Pride and Prejudice with Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley. A very well done chick flick.

Later around midnight, I found that there is a very good reason that you do NOT pick up a plastic coffee jug by its cover ... the predictable happened especially since the coffee was on top of the refrigerator. A really big mess ensued that my darling CJ cleaned up ... bless her heart. I really should get to bed earlier.

Mon, 5/9/11: Another rest day.

I was kind of tired so I just puttered around with my laptops and converted a couple of albums to MP3: Deep Purple's Machine Head and The Cars Shake It Up. As usual, CJ and I did not make it to bed early.

Oh, the NBA playoffs continue. Miami beat Boston in OT to go up 3-1, link here. Later, Oklahoma City beat Memphis in 3OT to go 2-2, link here.

Tue, 5/10/11: 8.7 miles, 1:11:29, 8:14 pace, 60F, cloudy, calm, no stops, hip pain after loop 4.

Garmin Connect Activity for FF Cobbs Hill run, long way to & from, 4 loops.

I oddly procrastinated before heading down to Fleet Feet for the usual Cobbs Hill run. I decided to take the long way to and from along with 4 loops. I felt pain in my right hip so I dialed back my effort and headed back. As I did so, the pain got worse and spread to my left hip. It got pretty intense before I got to my car. I think it's because I have not been wearing my IT bands that I have worn until recently ... at least I hope so.

Wed, 5/11/11: Rest day.

The NBA playoffs continued. Miami closed out Boston, 4-1, by the score 98-87, link here. Boston was up 6 with 4:28 to go, Miami scored the last 16 with the final 10 by Lebron. Oklahoma City walloped Memphis, 99-72, to go up 3-2.

Thu, 5/12/11: 9.7 miles, 1:19:03, 8:09 pace, 70F, cloudy, calm, 1 stop, no pain.

Garmin Connect Activity for Up to the lake and back

I needed to run farther than just a 5 mile Remington's Run so I headed to the lake to dip my toes. I ran 4.82 miles up at 7:53 pace and 4.88 miles back at 8:25 pace.

The NBA playoffs continued. Chicago closed out Atlanta, 4-2, by the score 93-73, link here. The Eastern Conference Finals are set, Miami against Chicago.

Blogger was down for about a day ... so I may have forgotten some stuff.

Fri, 5/13/11: Rest day.

I wanted to run but got home late. I went out to the local Wal-Mart and got 2 shower rods. I put the first up after reading the instructions with a bit of a ... struggle. The second one went up easily. We use them in the entrance hallway and bathroom/bedroom hallway to hang clothes ... OK, mostly running clothes.

The NBA playoffs continued. Memphis pushed Oklahoma City to a Game 7 by the score 95-83, link here.

Sat, 5/14/11: 6.25 miles, 66F, Houghton College, no pain.

Garmin Connect Activity for Houghton College, 2 x 1 mile repeat, 4 x 0.5 mile hill repeat
Garmin Connect Activity for Houghton College, 2 x 1 mile repeat

I took my daughter down to Houghton College so she could watch their graduation, to say good bye to some friends and to pick up the rest of her stuff from her townhouse. We walked up to the campus in a light rain which stopped very shortly. She went off to where she could watch the graduation, I went off to their track to get in a run. I changed underneath the bleachers and then made up a workout on the fly. I did a 2 x 1 mile repeat at 8:38 and 7:55 pace, then a 4 x hill repeat of about 0.5 mile each, then ended with another 2 x 1 mile repeat of 8:30 and 8:18 pace. I was dripping wet when I got done since it was so humid. I got back up to the college just as the graduation got finished. We hung around a bit, caught a bit of brunch and headed back. A nice, long drive with my daughter ... we caught up on stuff.

Monday, 5/2/11 to Saturday, 5/7/11

I ran 3 times during this 6 days, 25.2 miles.

Mon, 5/2/11: Rest day.

A totally deserved rest day ensued after yesterday's Flower City Half. I went to work ... my thigh muscles hurt when I went down stairs for some reason. But it felt good!

I stayed up late to watch Game 1 of the second round series between the Lakers and the Mavericks. There were two major streaks in the game, a 20-2 streak by the Lakers followed by a 20-6 streak by the Mavericks. After that, it was a battle in the 4th quarter. I felt that Jackson stayed with his 2nd unit too long in the 4th followed by some late questionable calls. But Kobe's 3 at the end looked good ... too long. The Lakers lost 94-96, link here, to fall 0-1.

Tue, 5/3/11: 5.2 miles, 42:31, 8:11 pace, 46F, light rain, no stops, no pain.

Garmin Connect Activity for FF Cobbs Hill run, 3 loop CW

Yes, I was tired. Yes, it was raining. But we do stuff. So CJ and I headed down to our home away from home, Fleet Feet, for our usual Cobbs Hill run. I took it real nice and easy up to Cobbs Hill, then around the reservoir 3 times clockwise, then a bit fast back. I did loosen up after a loop or two. CJ walked up to the corner of Monroe and Highland, 2.9 miles. Yes, we were both dripping when we were done. Yes, others might consider running or walking in the rain not too bright. And yes, so did I years ago before I took up running. But it did feel good to be out and alive!

Afterward, I satisfied my craving for pizza and potato chips! Yummy!

Wed, 5/4/11: 10 miles, 1:37:13, 9:43 pace, 46F, light sprinkle, some walks, no pain.

Garmin Connect Activity for Mendon Ponds Park, Green Trail x 2

My new Salamon XT Wings 2 trail shoes needed to be broken in ... Mendon Ponds Park was the perfect place. Of course, when I drove down there ... wait for it ... it started to sprinkle. Perfect! I ran the Green Trail clockwise, 4.55 miles. I then tried to run counterclockwise ... but somehow got turned around after a couple miles and ended coming back the same way to where I started. Oh, well, it ended to be 10 miles so it's all good! It was starting to get dark and the deer were coming out when I left.

I stayed up late to watch Game 2 of the second round series between the Lakers and the Mavericks ... what a total downer of a game if you root for the Lakers! They couldn't hit a 3 until it didn't matter, going 2-20. They couldn't hit a FT, going 11-20. They couldn't play defense in the 4th quarter. They lost 81-93, link here, to fall behind 0-2.

Thu, 5/5/11: A totally deserved rest day.

I have run a lot lately plus not enough sleep.

Fri, 5/6/11: Another rest day.

I thought about going for a walk but didn't. I tried to stay up to watch Game 3 of the Lakers - Mavericks series. I almost glad I fell asleep ... according to the link here, the Lakers blew a 7 point lead with 5:05 left in the 4th to lose 92-98 and fall into a 0-3 hole that no NBA team had ever climbed out of in a 7 game series, 0-98.

Sat, 5/7/11: 10 miles, 2:06:06, 60F, sunny at times, no pain.


CJ and I headed down to one of our homes away from home, Letchworth State Park. We slept in a bit so we didn't get down there until around 11:30AM. I started up at Check Point (CP) #3. My plan was to run down to the Parade Grounds. The terrain was quite muddy in spots along with lots of roots and rocks right from CP #3 all the way until about 3 miles from the end. Other Fleet Feet runners were down in the area running from CP #6 to the Parade Grounds. In fact, when I was heading from CP #5 to CP #6 I collected up a fellow who got lost and got him back up to CP #6. He didn't know that blue blazes signify CP paths. He had been running on the trail for 3 hours before I found him.

While I was making my way down to the Parade Ground, CJ was walking 3.1 miles. I passed her on my way to the end. Then I ran back to her and walked back to the car with her.

I have run the entire Sehgahunda Trail Marathon course now. I can honestly say that the only section that you can ease up a bit on is the final 3 miles. Other than that you totally have to keep up your concentration on the trail.

We drove over to the Upper Falls and wanted to walk down to see them but didn't get far. CJ's left ankle gave way without warning about 100 feet from the car. She fell in a heap. She fainted once or twice before I got her into the car. We drove back up to Rochester. We stopped by an Urgent Care center in Pittsford where she got a speedy X-Ray. She has a sprained left ankle. According to CJ, this is 3rd time in 10 years that she has sprained her left ankle. Luckily she already has crutches and a walking boot. All she ready needed was some ice, an Ace bandage and the walking boot.

Since CJ was injured and sent to the couch with her foot up, I resorted to getting supper the Wegmans way ... rotissorie chicken, potato salad and mozzarella sticks. Pretty tasty!

Flower City Half - Sunday, 5/1/11

Sun, 5/1/11: 13.1 miles, 1:40:18, 7:39 pace, 50F, cloudy, calm, ran hard as I could, some walks, no pain.

CJ and I made it down to the Blue Cross Arena around 6:40AM ... plenty of time. I had contemplated wearing my Camelbak so I could have lots of water but I decided against it after lugging it there. I did put on my arm warmers, black ss tech shirt, racing singlet, light gloves and compression shorts. I definitely made sure that I put on BodyGlide ... enough said!

The Fleet Feet Racing team ... smiling before the race!

I went back to the car to ditch the Camelbak, could have done the same with the arm warmers.

Bill, Sean and I shoot the breeze before the race.

Flower City Half Marathon Start video from YouTube. I'm at 6:20.

I just stretched a bit and had a Gu before the start. The start was fast, first mile was 7:05, second mile was 7:00. I ran hard yet easy and the early miles passed; mile 3 in 7:15, mile 4 in 7:06, mile 5 in 7:19. I had another Gu at mile 5.5; mile 6 in 7:46. Then I started the climb up to Highland Park; mile 7 in 7:55. This is where I started to have trouble. My tank of energy was definitely below 1/4. I was still running under 8 min miles but I struggled. The hills in Highland Park and the early part of the Mt Hope Cemetery were not runner friendly for sure; mile 8 in 7:57. The two miles before I emerged from the cemetery were long; mile 9 in 7:32. Seeing the Mile 10 marker (in 7:59) just as I exited was a welcome sight ... only 3.1 more to go! I had my last Gu around mile 11 (in 7:39). I started to slow in Genesee Valley Park ... runners started to pass me. The 1:40 pace group passed me just before mile 12 (in 8:21), then the Ford St bridge. The gentle curve up to the bridge was much steeper because I was exhausted. I knew I only had a mile to go and that I was on a PR pace. I got back to running on the bridge and simply gutted it out to the finish. It was a l_o_n_g mile, mile 13 in 7:57, I could see the finish line! I didn't have anything left to sprint to the line ... I just grimaced and ran as fast as I could, last 0.1 mile in 6:50. CJ was in the finish chute taking pictures and put my finisher medal over my head.

Heather finishing in 1:37:06, a PR!

 I am almost to the finish line ...

 Nipped at the line! 1:40:18! A 6:25 PR!

Katie finishing in 1:40:29.

Robie finishing in 1:40:52

Hydrating post race.

My lovely CJ did the 5K that started 20 minutes after I started off and set a PR of her own! She walked with a few runs and finished in 52:19, 16:53 pace, 844th out of 895, link here. She finished 54th out of 61 in her age group, link here. Way to go!

After a bit of walking and downing some water, CJ and I headed into the Blue Cross Arena for some well deserved chow. The usual fare was there ... bagels, banannas, apples, cookies, pretzels, peanut butter, water and MVP energy drink from Wegmans. A welcome addition was some tasty pizza from Naked Pizza. CJ and I each had several pieces besides taking their snazzy free water bottles. I saw some other racing buddies and enjoyed catching up on their racing stories. A runner said that perhaps I should try negative split running where you start slower and finish faster. That would be very tough for me because adrenaline usually rockets me out with the faster runners. Maybe I could make it work with some effort but I would definitely have to practice on runs and races.

All in all, I did pretty well. I ran the race I set out to run except for the struggles in the latter stages. Perhaps I could have ran better but I did set a 6:25 minute PR. I finished 193rd out of 1839, link here. I finished 11th out of 97 in my age group, link here.

Here are some DemocratandChronicle.com articles about the Flower City Challenge: Flower City Challenge exceeding expectations, Rochester: Get into the running,
Flower City supports runners in Sunday's race and Flower City Half Marathon victory special for Andrews.

The swag!

Later, CJ and I lazed around ... not wanting to move. We watched the NBA playoffs, second round, both were game 1. Memphis surprised Oklahoma and Miami beat Boston. CJ made up some ribs and salad for supper ... yummy! CJ also uploaded the 280 pics that she took during the day ... which took the rest of the day. We went to bed early and didn't have any trouble falling asleep!