DNF

Representing Boston.  

Zane Grey officially marks my first Did Not Finish.  It is somewhat of a shock to me.  I always thought 50 miles was a distance that I could finish no matter what.  It fell apart quickly for me and I called it a day at around mile 24.

I've had off and on problems with my ankles for over a year now.  After Leadville they really blew up. I took some time off after that but recovery has not been complete.  It's been hard for me to find that fresh and free feeling during my training the last few months.  Training is not supposed to be easy.  I am supposed to feel tired, sore and fatigued but the past few months has been different.  I can recall one run this past month where I ran freely.  I was able to run down hill with speed, bounce and freedom.  It was wonderful.  It was a vivid reminder of why I love to run.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of my runs have not been this enjoyable.  Some are better than others but the one constant is the stiffness I get in my ankle.  Sometimes it is from the start and it will shake out after a mile but it will creep back after my run.  Usually it is present constantly warning me not to go push it.  It is always stiff after a run and I usually end up dragging my left foot a bit.  This has been going on at various degrees for some time.

First climb.

Beautiful morning.

I'm stubborn or in denial.  I thought I could keep pushing through this and when it's all on the line I'll push through it some more.  Zane Grey was probably not the best race to put this theory to test.  There are claims that it is one of the hardest 50's in the lower 48.  There are stories of about how there are rocks, rocks and more rocks on the course and when you get through those rocks you will run on some rocks.  I didn't pay much respect to the lore of the race.  It seemed like a bunch of hype.

Zane Grey is all it is hyped up to be.  The course weaves up and down the mountains in the Tonto National Forest at the base of the Mogollan Rim.  The Mogollan Rim is a 200 mile long escarpment defining the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau.  The course traces a sadistic little trail littered with rocks.  Almost every step requires your absolute concentration.  I took a pretty good fall at mile 14.  It wasn't a rock.  It was a root or stick that got me.

Morning trail.

There are rocky climbs and rocky descents.  There are parts of the trail that disappear.  There are grassy patches that lure you in thinking it is safe only to find that they are covering more rocks.  It's actually kind of fun but is is frustrating and it takes it toll.  You will roll your ankle many times.  There is no way around it.  You will fall.  You will curse the sun.

I wasn't feeling great when I started but I got in a nice rhythm.  I never had a moment when I felt fresh.  The only other race this happened to me was the Aspen Backcountry Marathon.  I had run the Pike Peak Marathon the weekend before so that was understandable.  I felt OK through the first 17 miles.

Nice section of trail.

Mongolian Rim

I was leading a 3 person train for about 5 miles when I took my digger.  It could have been worse.  I got into the aid station at mile 17.5.  I had 16 miles to go until I would reach the next crewed aid station.  I sat down and applied sun screen, ate, drank and reloaded my pack from my drop bag.  I was there for over 9 minutes.  I set out and my ankle was already stiff.  This changed my stride and the stiffness moved up to my hips.  I also left my handheld of Heed behind.  I carried on and the stiffness subsided a bit.  I actually got into a pretty good rhythm again but around mile 21 my ankle was stiff to the point of being worthless.  I was  really dragging my leg at this point and my energy was tanking.  I knew right away that I wasn't going to make it through this one.  I could gut out the rest of the race but I thought there was a good chance I'd seriously hurt my ankle if I continued and I wasn't about to push through like this just to finish.  It was a hard realization.

trail

I fought with this feeling for a while.  Before I reached the next aid station another runner and I came to a stop when we heard a loud rattle.  We looked a foot off the trail and saw a large coiled rattle snake looking pretty pissed.  We got out of there in a hurry.

This is the trail.  Rocks under grass.

I told myself I'd make it to mile 33 where the next crewed station was.  There was an aid station at mile 24.  I stalled there for about 13 minutes.  I was dwelling my options.  I knew that if I made it to mile 33 I might change my mind and continue.  Maybe things would get better.  I reloaded and headed up the trail.  I got about 100 yards up the hill from the aid station but I was dragging my left leg too much.  I turned around an called it quits.  My last 3.5 miles had taken 1 hour and 20 minutes.  23.6 miles, 4,933 vertical feet, 6:07.

I want to go back and get this thing.  I didn't feel this way yesterday but today I feel beaten.  I know the course didn't see my best.  I'm pissed.  My legs feel great today except for the ankle which I'm dragging around.

I need to figure this thing out.  I know if I go to a doctor he will tell me to stop running for a few weeks.    I haven't wanted to hear those words so I haven't gone.  I'm going to give it a few days rest and push it hard this weekend.  I will try a legit tape job.  The Rim to Rim to Rim is just 3 weeks away.  I need to know if my ankles will hold up.

This is what a DNF looks like.

Thoughts

-        This week has been really tough.  The Boston Marathon bombing has been devastating.  If you’re not from New England it is hard to understand just how big of a day Patriots Day is in Boston.  The Red Sox play an early game, kids are off from school, The Boston Marathon is run and the city is really alive for the first time after a long winter.  People walk from the Sox game to the finish line.  It’s one of the biggest and best days in the city all year.  The bombing was a shock and tragic. 

-        I can’t stop thinking of the runner whose son died, daughter lost a limb and wife is still in critical condition.  I think this story impacts me the most as it could easily be my family.  What most people don’t know is the sacrifice that the family makes while someone trains for a race like this.  It takes a lot of time away from the family to train.  When race day comes they are there to cheer you on.  You run that race for them as much as you do yourself.  To lose your family is tragic.  To lose them in this fashion would be unbearable.

-        As much as the bombing was tragic Boston’s reaction was even stronger.  I’ve never been prouder to call Boston my home city.  I wish I was there.  The reaction of the people, authorities and sports teams has been unbelievable.  Very proud.

-        I purchased a Boston Athletic Association shirt for Zane Gray 50 next weekend.  I will wear it proudly in honor of those that died.

-        April snow has been a mixed blessing.  We need it.  Hopefully it will result in fewer fires this summer.  Unfortunately, it has had a negative impact on trail training.  Fortunately, I have was able to get 2 solid weeks of climbing in this month. 

-        The Red Sox have been really fun to watch thus far.

-        My weight finally dropped below 190 last night.  I’d like to lose 5 more.

-        I wish I had young ankles. 

-        I am so excited to run the Rim to Rim to Rim.  I’d need a couple good weekends of hill training and I think I’ll be ready.  I’m not looking forward to the drive back.

-        I am going to be in great running shape by the end of June.  That is my last scheduled race.  Is a late season 100 miler in the cards this year?  I’ll see how July goes.  It would be a shame to let that type of fitness level go to waste.

-        Big news coming in 2 weeks.

-        Rules of Engagement is a funny show.  David Spade kept me away from it for 5 years but David Putty lured me in.  Meg and I have been watching reruns.  It’s pretty funny.

-        I’m slow.  It’s frustrating.  The bad days outnumber the good.  But the good days are great.

-        Skiing on May 5^th.  Can’t wait.  Hoping for some sunny weather for the Beach.

-        I set-up a basketball hoop for Bre in the driveway.  There is something special about having your own hoop.  Bre beat me in around the world.  It was legit.  She swept through without me getting a shot.  This kid is going to be kicking her dad’s ass at just about everything before I know it.

Setbacks

March was moving along with promise.  I had planned on 50 miles a week this month.  I was averaging a touch over that after 2 weeks and had a long run of 36 miles before I got hammered with the flu.  I noticed on my Thursday run after my long run that I had absolutely no energy.  I had a head cold and my stomach wasn't feeling great but I summed it up as just feeling worn down.  The following day I realized it was something worse.

I was sidelined for 6 connsecutive days with no running.  There was no way.  It was absolutely awful.  The flu moved from my stomach to my lungs and head after that.  Meg and I went down to San Diego for a wedding.  I was able to fight through these symptoms and get some running in but it is still holding on strong.  It's been going on 12 days now.  At least I am able to get some miles in but I missed a key week of training and my mileage goal was not met for March.  I finished with 152.5 miles for the month.

I am now less than a month away from the Zane Gray 50.  I really need 3 solid weeks of training or I might pull out.  The Rim to Rim to Rim is a month and a half away and I much rather be ready for that.

I'm still pushing on and looking forward to some fun runs in April.  I'm planning on a good day down on the Manitou Incline in a couple of weeks and with all the snow melting I might make a run on the North Fork 50k course.  It's time to start climbing.  Spring is here and I'm hoping it helps improve my training.