San Diego 100 Video
On June 8th, 2013 I set out to for redemption. It was one year ago at the 2012 San Diego 100 miler that I received my very first, and so far only, DNF (did not finish)
Last year around mile 12, my friend Kyle and I missed a course marker and went off trail. We desperately tried to regain our whereabouts, and after about 90 mins of being lost, we got back on trail. Kyle was able to make up for lost time, but I wasn't as mentally strong as him on this day and I completely fell apart. At mile 31 I missed the time cutoff by 20 mins and was pulled from the course. Luckily, Kyle was strong enough to push himself and avoid course cutoffs and he finished the race. Since I was no longer racing after being pulled from the course, I caught back up with Kyle at mile 51 and ended up pacing him for most of the second half of the 100 mile race.
One year later I found myself back in San Diego, waiting to run 100 miles. Since the DNF in 2012 I had been determined to go back and get some payback at this race. I was unhappy about the DNF and felt like I needed to redeem myself.
I trained my ass off specifically for this race. In the 3 months leading up to the race I only missed 2 of my scheduled workouts due to a work trip. I was determined to be in shape and ready to kick some ass on this run.
I asked my friend Chris to come crew for me (Chris crewed for Kyle and I last year), and my wife Lori managed to get the weekend off from work so she was able to help crew the race for me as well.
Once again, Kyle was toeing the start line with me at the San Diego 100. Kyle’s girlfriend Christina and their friend AJ were crewing for Kyle.
The day of the race the weather was pretty hot. According to the thermometer that I was carrying during the race, the temperature was somewhere around 95 degrees for most of the day.
Kyle and I did our best to stay hydrated and to eat whenever we could. I was making sure to pace my fluid intake and to drink plenty of water and Fluid sports drink. The heat was getting to both of us. Kyle and I were both throwing up a lot, but we also were not giving up. There’s a fine line of knowing when you need to stop and if you’re safe to continue a race… and there were points where we were straddling that line.
After running races like the Sierra Nevada Endurance Run in 2010 and 2011, and this years Leona Divide, I wasn't a stranger toughing it out and run through a little bit a discomfort and heat.
I made sure to monitor my hydration regularly. I could tell I was getting a little behind and I did my best to keep on top of it.
Kyle and I were able to stay with each other for most of the race. We would randomly separate by a ¼ mile, but we kept managing to sync up with each other.
We were both worried about going off trail again this year so we were very cautious at any spot on the course were the track split.
At mile 12 (where we went off trail last year) we noticed that the course was marked just a bad as it was the previous year. We actually saw a runner going about 50 feet in the wrong direction. He just happened to be going off trail in the same exact spot Kyle and I went off trail the previous year. We yelled at him and luckily got his attention, and got him back on course.
The heat was slowly getting to the two of us. I started randomly throwing up from time to time because of the heat, and I was also having a hard time wanting to eat. The one thing I was able to stick with was my water intake.
Around mile 29 we came upon a runner who was taking a rest and trying to get some shade by a very small tree. We asked him if he was ok. He told us he had ran out of water, and we were still a couple miles away from the aid station. I had four ounces of water left in my bottle, and I knew that even-though it was hot out, I was doing ok at this point on my hydration. I gave him what water I had and he was very thankful.
Kyle and I got to the mile 31 aid station, filled up with water, and were on our way!!!
We were off on a 5 mile loop, and the heat was starting to pick up. I made sure to keep up on my hydration as best as I could. The first half of the loop was very slow going and hot. Luckily the second half was more forgiving with mainly rolling hills and a lot of down hill sections.
Before we knew it, we were done with the loop and back at the aid station. We filled up once again with water and food and set off to the next aid station. I was getting very anxious to get to the mile 44.1 aid station since we hadn't seen our crew since mile 13.8. All the aid stations between mile 13.8 and 44.1 were not crew accessible.
As we left the aid station at mile 36 we started on a long ascent up a paved road, and the heat started getting to us. Kyle and I were both vomiting and walking up the road. It was getting pretty bad. Then finally my stomach was empty and I was just dry heaving. There comes a point in every 100 mile event that I ask myself, “Why are you doing this?” This was going through my head for the last 20 miles… but somehow I managed to pull myself together. After I composed myself, I was able to get my head back in the game. I was here to finish the race, and nothing was going to stop me.
Around mile 44.1 Kyle and I saw our crew. We both weren't feeling too good, but we were still doing ok. We started hearing reports that a lot of people were dropping out of the race.
After a short rest we left our crew and went back out to tackle a few more miles.
Kyle and I were pushing through the miles. Kyle was starting to have a very hard time. He was getting bad muscle cramps and was still vomiting a lot. I was doing my best to keep him going, but he was slowly fading off. Finally with about a half mile to the mile 51 aid station, I took of up ahead so I could tell the crew what was going on.
I came up to the aid station and found everyone. I told them Kyle was coming in right behind me, but he wasn't looking good. The crew got some drinks and food ready for him.
As I was changing my socks and getting fresh batteries in my headlamp, I was growing concerned about Kyle. He was sitting in a chair next to me and not looking good.
After I was prepared to head out I walked over to Kyle to check on him. He had just made a very hard, but wise decision… he was dropping out of the race.
I was sad to hear his decision, but I knew it was for the best. Chris told me he had brought running shoes with him and that he could pace and keep me company. AJ also told me he would run a few miles if I needed him too.
I told Chris to get ready and that I would do this next leg solo, I would then pick up with him at the next aid station.
As I left the aid station I couldn't help but feel bad for leaving Kyle there, but I knew our crew was taking care of him.
I ran the next leg pretty strong. At this point it was dark and the temperature was finally cooling off. I knew that since the sun was no longer out I would be able to push a little harder and not worry about the heat as much.
It was a strange feeling being in the middle of the nowhere running all alone. Before I knew it I was at the next aid station. I was getting into my groove!!! I asked Chris to give me one more section to fly solo and that I would pick him up at the next aid station. He understood, and as soon as my crew got my water bottles filled I headed off.
At mile 64.2 I picked up with Chris and the rest of the crew. Chris was able to push me through the 8.1 miles to the next aid station in about 2 hours. I was surprised at how much energy I had, and I wasn't getting sleepy like I normally do at night. I also wasn't taking caffeine pills like I normally do at night, so I was really surprised at how alert I was feeling.
At mile 72.3 AJ picked up with me for the next 15.2 miles. We pushed through the night and into the morning.
Chris decided to run the last 12.5 miles with me. It was cool having Chris out with us crewing again, and even cooler to have him assist me with pacing. Last year when Chris agreed to crew for us he had no interest in running at all. After hanging out at the finish line last year and seeing everyone finish the event Chris developed an interest in running. In the last year Chris has completed two half marathons, and will hopefully soon complete his first full marathon.
In 29 hours and 40 mins I crossed the finish line. It was nice to able to go back and finish this event. Over the last year this race has been on my mind a lot. All I wanted to do was come back and finish this race. In 2012 was my first, and so far only, DNF that I've ever received.
I’m happy to get this race done. I feel like this is a chapter in my running book that I can finally close… unless Kyle feels like returning next year.
It was also good to see our friend Dave Lehman complete his very first 100 mile event.
Until next time…
KEEP RUNNING!!!!
KEEP RUNNING!!!!
