Training Log Archive: tdgood

Event: 36th Annual Billygoat Run
 

I was worried about getting cramps on this event since I haven't been getting the training in.

My goal was not to push it but try and run a even pace and walk the last part when I started to get tired. Well that didn't work to well.

I started off well. many people cut into the woods. I took the road back to parking area. Control circle hid the trail so I cut down the tennis courts when I didn't have to and lost ground. Realized I was running too hard our of the start so slowed down on the trail and walked the uphills.
#1 was good skip choice but I didn't wan to skip the first control. Got to #1 just behind Alex Jospe. Alex ran away from me leaving 1 but I caught back up at #2. Passed her on the way to 3. She passed me on the way to 4 when I pulled up short. Then she took a bizarre route to 5 and I left her. By myself for the next bunch of controls. Caught up to Bob Lux who had skipped #1. Went into the food control and stopped to have some goodies. I had a couple of gatorades and an apple. There didn't seem to be any cookies out or I would have grabbed some of them. Alex Jospe came up behind me so I went off sooner than I should have. Alex and I screwed up 10 a little. Alex said she was skipping 11 but I was in slow mode so a long extra run wasn't going to save me a lot as I expected to start walking. Going to 11 I passed Bob Lux again. Going to 12 there were extra rocks that I couldn't read. I though I knew where I was but ended up rock hopping. Where there should have been 4 rocks I checked 8. Finally I bailed way out (passing others coming in that way). Relocated from the other direction and went to the control ignoring the rocks. At this point I was walking. Jogged to 13. really tired now. Walked/jogged to 14. I skipped 15 (an easy control but I was cutting distance out). On the way to 16 I cramped up. I decided to play it safe and take the time to stretch out. I spent 5 minutes stretching. I was still in danger of cramping so was taking it easy. Got to 16 ok. I got several more cramps on eh wya to 17 and had to stretch more. People are just steadily passing me (jeff Saegar, Peggy D...). Just after Peggy passed me I tripped. I thought about just lying there but I knew if I got a cramp I would be in big touble so I hopped back up and got major cramps. At this point I was done. I was just trying not to pass out. Got to 17 but couldn't do anything after. I had to get to 18 in order to get water. It took me forever to get 18. I could only go a few steps before getting a new cramp. Cramps were all over my legs, buttocks, lower back. Finally made it 18. I drank about 1/2 gallon of water hoping that would help. It helped but I still couldn't move well. I was hoping that I could just walk the last part of the course and still finish on time. Unfortunately it got to the point where I couldn't lift my legs. I got to the stone wall and couldn't get over it. It took me 3 minutes to get over a 1 meter high wall with easy stepping stones. I decided at that point to just make it a trail so I could walk.
From the time of my first cramp. It took me 90 painful minutes to get back to the finish area. My spirits were high but my body was totally shot.