To Run or Not To Run Rocky Raccoon 100
In 19 days, the gun will sound at Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Race in Huntsville, TX and I'm sitting here today deciding on whether or not I'll be there to hear it.
This race seemed like a great idea two months ago when the local BUTS (Birmingham Ultra Trail Society) crew were out having drinks reminiscing on Wingo's success and my utter failure at Pinhoti 100. Kyle and John were both adamant that they'd help me get my first 100 mile buckle. "Buckle or Toe Tag" I think was the slogan they coined for this trip, and honestly, I actually felt pretty good about it. Pinhoti, in reflection, was a huge learning opportunity for me and really what goes on in a person's mind while running, or attempting to run a 100 miles and I was confident that I could take what I learned and go after that RR100 Buckle.
The learning lesson I'm referring to, the dagger that finally brought me down at Pinhoti was simply my mind. Physically, I had energy to keep going but the pain from my feet (nasty horrendous blisters all over both feet) ultimately controlled my mind and I dropped at mile 55. As much as Ericka tried to get me out of that chair at Adams Gap, I had actually decided two hours beforehand that I was dropping and there were no words that she could have said would have made me rise and run. I was done. Completely.
At that moment, I was beyond good with the drop (as we always are) but as the days past, that feeling of failure was killing me (as it always does). I realized that I should have kept my pacers that I had lined up instead of foolishly thinking that I could run self-supported. Most ultra-runners need someone to help through those low points when the first thoughts of dropping start to creep in the mind. A good pacer would have made me think of something other than shooting pain with every step. They would have made me realize that I was actually running a very decent time and that I had plenty of time to slow down and recoup. Ultimately, they would have yanked my weak arse out of that chair and pushed me down the trail towards the track at Sylacauga.
So as we sat around that table talking about Rocky and what a great runnable 100 miler it was and yadda yadda yadda, I decided that if I have these two great guys willing to make the drive/flight out to Huntsville, then I'd go after that buckle. A great idea and plan indeed.
Until my knees and lungs decided differently.
A stabbing pain in the lower part of my right knee sidelined me the entire month of December and just when that stopped, I caught an upper respiratory and nasal infection the first week of January which put me down for another week and a half.
So, here we are. 19 days out. The knees are good and lungs are a bit better and I'm trying to decide if I give this beautiful insanity called a 100 mile race another try. I know if I'm not at 100% come race day, it's insane to even try. But that's 19 days away and isn't it always insane to try a 100 mile race? Can my lungs fully recoup in 19 days? Can I get back to pre-Pinhoti condition in 19 days? Can I get back to 80% but still with the help of great pacers and my very lovely and supportive wife and family crewing, finish Rocky Raccoon 100?
Can I make a decision?
2014 Miles: 44
No comments:
Post a Comment