Like an "I'd rather be lying dead on the curb than running" kind of run?
Yeah, me too.
It's happened once or twice over the course of the last five years. And although, it's been said that, "You never regret going for a run," I have regretted every single steps of those runs.
Fortunately, I have never experienced a run like that when it really mattered.
Until Sunday.
A few months back, Kim mentioned that she was going to run the Seaside Half Marathon. I instantly wanted to join her (mainly because I love Kim, but also because I grew up 10 minutes from the race location). Initially, it looked like the timing wasn't going to work out, but as luck would have it, we decided to change our Disney travel dates and I would be able to race. And even better, I was able to convince my sister, Gina, to make her half marathon debut at the event.
So, it was set. Gina and I would drive up the day before, meet Kim, Alma and Lisa for dinner, race at the odd start time of 10 a.m., and then drive home afterwards. It was going to be great.
And it was. Until about mile 3.
Dinner was delicious (and likely my downfall).
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| Alma, Lisa, Kim, me and Gina ... |
I slept well that night. And I woke up ready to race.
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| Me, Lisa, Kim and Gina. Yes, we coordinated outfits ... |
Anyway, like I said, things were going great until mile 3. I had been on pace to hit my goal, despite the 20 mph headwind. Then I started to feel a stabbing pain in my head. By mile 6, my head was full-on throbbing.
Shortly after mile 7, Kim caught me. Then passed me. I started looking for "ways out." Could I hitch a ride with a spectator? No, there were none. Could I jump on an ambulance? Nope, the only one I had seen was long gone. By mile 8, I was dry heaving on the side of the road. At one point, I noticed a bird lying dead on the road and considered joining him (I am only mildly exaggerating).
Right around mile 10, my nausea subsided slightly and I was able to run briefly. Very briefly. My stomach cramps were making it hard to breathe. It hurt to expand my rib cage. I was seriously considering taking a DNF for the first time ever. But, as I mentioned before, even if I committed to quitting, there was no way to get back other than by my own power, so there was really no point.
Unable to run for more than about a minute at a time, I walked the vast majority of the last three miles. Only in the last two tenths of the race did I even attempt to push the pace (I finished in 2:28:21, in case you were wondering). And I only did that because I knew my mom was waiting at the finish line.
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| sucking it up for the cameras ... |
I have never been so happy to finish a run. Ever. Afterwards, I must have looked and been breathing worse than I thought, because my mom tried to get me to go to the medic. I shook her off, as I wasn't about to miss my little sister finish her first half marathon. (Note: She did awesome and although she swears she'll never run another half, I know I can convince her ...)
Honestly, I am not really sure what happened. I'm still not feeling 100%. Maybe I was (and still am) fighting a bug. Maybe, I was wicked dehydrated and I just didn't realize. Maybe my gluten and dairy filled diet in the day prior screwed me over. I don't know. Regardless, this is going down as my worst race ever.
20 comments:
Love that your worst race ever beats my best time by 10 minutes! :) LOL!
I had that half-marathon experience in June and it SUCKED!
I walked about 5km and at one point I was lying on the grass beside the trail.
Good to know I'm not the only one :)
You look fab in the picture. We all have bad runs or races sometimes is part of the package. I loved that you willed yourself and finish. You are badass!
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I've been waiting for your report to get the down and dirty details. Could it be any worse? I'm so very sorry you had a beyond crappy race.
Might I blame the unexpected heat for some of how you were feeling? Finishing in the hot sun in 68 degrees is not ideal at all, and after that turn around at mile 7, there was no shade, but you already know that.
I'm not sure of your race schedule before April, but here's to some Flying Pirate redemption. Can't wait to see you again.
And your worse race ever beats my PR by 20 minutes. :) That sucks you were so sick during the race. There is nothing worse than not feeling well and not being able to get out of a situation! Bright side, you proved once again that you just might be tough as nails. :)
Maybe Sunday was just a bad day for racing?? Sorry it was so awful but congrats on making it to the finish line! I had a craptastic race of my own on Sunday that has had me wanting to pick your brain about body stuff. Thinking I'm going to try to head to a naturopath (sp?)
Well you sure look great feeling like crap! Rest and feel better soon!!!
Ugh. I'm sorry it sucked so bad. BUT you did look awesome anyways and the fact that you toughed it out and finished it is just totally awesome. Missing you TONS. xoxo
Thanks for not sugarcoating the tough time you have. We are all human and sometimes running just sucks, even though it is is not nearly as glamorous as when things go exactly as planned. At least you looked great?
Oh dang sorry girl - I hate those mystery things that go wrong. Not sure what it was do not sure how yak correct it for next time... Just not your day, I suppose. Rest up and get it next time!
Oh I have had those races. The worst being the Disney Princess two years ago when I ran with a fever....never I repeat never run with a fever. This years Princess I had a shoe problem....hoping Goofy in January goes smoothly ;)
But sorry you felt off but you finished strong, good job!
Oh goodness, I'm so sorry you had a stinky race... but you looked cute as hell! :)
ok, reading this post made me feel better, that even runners as awesome as you have bad days. my last half two weeks ago was catastrophic...so catastrophic that i did end up getting a ride with the medic because i passed out cold with one kilometre to go! i was on track for a pb but didn't hydrate or fuel properly given the conditions and boy i paid for it. anyways...kudos for you for finishing and listening to your body...if i could turn back time, i wish id' done the same!
oh no! i’ve never had one end like that. i am really curious what ended up causing it (even though we will never know). so glad yall got to hang out though :) and congrats on finishing. not sure I could have.
gah this race was not enjoyable for myself either but for entirely different reasons. That is crazy about your head! I remember seeing that dead bird and thinking- man I'd like to be lying on the ground too. At least you got to see family and the REALLY AWESOME boardwalk haha
I'm so sorry things went south after you drove ALL THE WAY up. Stinky. As I enjoyed my mere 3.1 miles, I was thinking about you all running 13.1 and was so thankful I wasn't running so far because it was TOO HOT. TOO HOT + off-diet is definitely a recipe for bad things. I hope you can convince Gina to do another race, maybe a Thanksgiving 5k?
Congratulations! A finish is a finish and that is another half marathon ticked off. You pushed trough and that is awesome. Rest well!
The good news is, you finished, although the race itself was not pretty. Hopefully you can identify the cause and avoid whatever it was in the future.
Ew... that sounds rough Tonia... I'm so sorry. Chalk it up as something you couldn't control and put it behind you. We all have days like that. They suck, but we can't dwell!
Congrats to you sister... and yes, she'll do another! :)
Oh no, sorry you had such a rough race! I hope you feel better by now!
I hate those terrible races!! They can really burn you out and leave a bad taste in your mouth.. I hope you are feeling better!
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