Notes
Time: 5:17:45 ( PB for this race - 4:39:30 )
Weather: 22c at start -30c at highest. no rain, light breeze.
Course: Mostly bike trail, some road, some grass, some touristy cobblestone paths by Niagara Falls
I can't imagine running 50k again...well, not until next year anyway. Certainly not until I can solve my nausea issues. The heat was tough. Not ungodly, but tough enough as everyone who has done this race before seemed to be well behind their usual time. Duff, myself and a few other people we know were about 40-45 minutes slower than last year.
First of all, I shamefully admit to getting to the start late, despite staying in the hotel across the road from the start line! Yes, I thought I had more time to spare. I was getting my chip when the gun went off. I could have used another washroom trip too. Anita was more upset than I was though. It was after all, chip time. I ran fast to catch up with everyone. I caught Duff and Frank and ran with them for a bit and then pushed ahead, with thoughts of beating mother nature and last year`s time of 4:39. Oops.
The first 20k was awesome. I felt great, well trained and had to force myself to slow down as I hit sub 5:15 per km. I really felt like the heat was not an issue and I took my salt pills, water, some gels and assumed I would feel this good the whole way. Up the big hill and to the hydro tower and I realized I hadn`t stopped to walk yet, other than a brief stop at the eater station to refill my bottles. This was 20k and we were heading into the tourist area, it is funny to watch everyone look at us like were nuts...we are...and it was funny trying to navigate through the 50+ Amish people, dressed like it was minus 5 degrees and they were all dressed in blue, head to toe. Weird. I moved on and was glad to be halfway, The mist at the falls was lovely. I saw the fairy lady Frank spoke of. She said she's training for a 100 miler and was just taking it easy. Nice lady, nice.
I got to the halfway point, in 2:20 which was 5 minutes slower than last year. I was still feeling fine at this point but it seemed as soon as I changed directions I was going downhill. I took my shirt off and planned to pawn off my belt as soon as I saw someone to take it. Nir did, I saw him at 30k. When I saw Nir, I didn't even want anything. I couldn't stomach any more water, Gatorade or anything food like. All I wanted at the aid stations was gingerale. I felt so nauseous by 35k that I considered bailing. I haven't bailed yet and I didn't want this to be the first. I decided to run - walk the remaining 15k.
At the 38km mark, Julie, Cam and Anita were waiting. It was the bottom of the long 1km downhill where even gravity couldn't pull me faster than 6:00/km pace without my upper stomach feeling like it would burst. They had everything there, oranges, bananas, bars, water, pretzels but I still wanted nothing. I had been suppressing the rising liquids from my unwilling stomach and was constantly reminded what it was like to be hung over. I wanted to stay and hang with the gang but I needed to press on. I accepted the challenge to run in this state and knew I was only suffering from nausea and not dehydration. I felt the need to pee and was still sweating, both which are good signs.
My legs kept feeling great and they were asking me to run harder. I did the entire race with no pain, no sore feet, no tired legs, that part was lovely. But the nausea just wouldn't lift. Ginger ale with stolen ice at each water stopped made me feel good for a minute but that was it. I just focused on moving forward, long since abandoning any time goals.
Anita and Cam bike forward and waited for me every few kms. The water they had was good for dousing my hat. I tried to keep drinking a little just to be safe. I was hating every step, but loving the challenge and hating the nausea but loving beating it and plowing through.
3km to go, it was like a dream, I knew Anita and Cam would be at 1k which gave me something to look forward to. I pretty much ran the final 3k as the excitement of finishing pulled me through. the last km was filled with the satisfaction of finishing and looking forward to a beer, a shower and a nap...an no more nausea!
Finally, the last 100m, on grass and the finish line in site. People were cheering and I heard none of it. One lady told me to smile....huh? Cam caught me and ran with me, so nice and I crossed the line. 5:17:46...38 minutes slower than last year but feeling just as satisfied with the result.
I headed straight for a picnic table and buried my head in my hands. I couldn't take deep breaths without coughing and the nausea was taking it's time in dying off. Anita finally got me to get up and walk around. I grabbed a beer (hey, they're free!) and downed half giving the rest to Nir. I laid down on the grass and started to feel better. I got up, grabbed another beer and a slice of pizza and boom, I felt right again. So nice...when is the next race? Hahahaha.
Nir, Julie, Anita, Cam and myself went back to the Pillar and Post for a nice swim and shower and lunch as we were allowed to hang out all day as we stayed there the night before. Worth the extra cash spent on hotel. thanks to Anita for letting me nap on the drive home!
Next time it`s hot, I will forgo all time goals and try to enjoy the run. I think I am eating too much the night before and morning of the race...too close to race time perhaps. More experimenting will tell. If I never see another gel again it will be too soon.