Uwharrie 40 "fun run" DNF!!!

Well, if you know me, you know I don't take failure easily. Uwharrie was supposed to be my first attempt at an ultra distance run but, alot of things went wrong. I guess the best place to start is at the beginning, so that's what I'll do.

The day started at 1 am, mostly because I couldn't sleep. I tried to lay in bed for as long as I could, which was only about another 10 to 20 minutes. I got put of bed and startd getting things ready around the house but soon realized that I still needed to pick up my buddy Junior, who was going to help crew for all the runners that day. I gave him a call and told him that I would be there in a few minutes, he was still asleep. A few of the other people who were going to crew for us backed out at the last minute so, I was just happy that we at least had him and our medic Brandi. If they had both dropped out this thing would never have happened. So, a million and one thanks to them for sticking with us on this idiotic undertaking.

We've had this planned for about the last 2 months, although the date wasn't nailed down until after I returned from SERE school. We had a few runners drop out and, a new runner come on board in the final weeks before the run. Everyone had the understanding that this was just for "fun" and that they only had to do what they thought they could do. Most were just trying to finish 20 miles and, given the terrain at Uwharrie , 20 miles is a pretty good feat in and of itself. I was going for the full 40 and, had been training with the main goal of just finishing, however that could be done.

By 4:30 am all the people participating, runners and volunteers, had arrieved at my house and we set about having breakfast and loading gear into the cars. The drive to Uwharrie is about an hour and 10 minutes from Fort Bragg and we made really good time getting there. No one was on the road and there was only a light sprinkle of rain. I was leading the drive, drinking my coffee and going over my plan for the run. I had an internal check list of things to do before I took off down the trail so, I went over it in my head. Set up drop bags for aid station, prep food, water, and electrolyte replacement that I would need along the trail, give trail and safety briefing for runners and crew, and get in ther mindset that this was just for the experience and NOT a race.

The last point I didn't seem to get into my head well enough.

We arrieved at the trail head at about 5:40 am and set about getting the aid station gear cross loaded between the 2 vehicles that would be meeting us at each station. Check. The first leg of the run would be about 9 miles so I got out the gels, water, and food I would need. Check. Some dads and their sons were parked at the trail head when we got there and when they got out of their cars and saw 4 people changing into running gear they gave us alot of odd looks. I don't really blame them. It's not every day you see a bunch of people getting ready to tackle a 40 mile trail by running. We took some obligatory "before" pictures, looked at one another and asked "Are you ready?". And then we were off running.

I don't remember exactly how far down the trail I was when I rolled my ankle but, it was pretty early on. I hobbled along for a few feet before I was able to start running again. As I passed the 2 mile mark I looked down at my watch and noticed that I had a time of 19:32, about a 9:45 min/mile. TOO FAST, I remember thinking. I tried to slow myself down but, I guess not hard enough. Soon I was passing the 5 and 6 mile mark one under an hour, the other just over. Before long I was coming around the corner, gels gone and low on water, into the first aid station. 9 miles in 1:45:08, not bad, but still a touch too fast for just wanting to finish. Brandi and Junior were there waiting with water, powerade, more food, and a resupply of things I would need on the next leg of the run.

I took in as much as I felt I needed, which would prove to be not enough in the later miles. I said thanks to both of them and, took off down the trail. I thought I had the distances worked out before hand and, the next section should have been about 9 miles, I was wrong. I pulled intyo the next aid station only to find no one was there. As it turned out the distance was alot shorter that I had thought. The other runners wouldn't all be through the 1st station yet, so the crew would be a while. I sat for a few minutes thinking about what I should do. The next section was the 9 mile portion and was going to be alot harder than all that I had done thus far.

I still had alot of water left and a few gels, as well as some odds and ends. I decided that I would be okay to continue and got to my feet and took off down the trail. This would prove to be my second big mistake of the day. The hills were tough, and I was slowed to a jog on most of the first few but, I just kept trucking along. I was good on water and food as I pulled into the 14 mile mark but, this is where I got lost. I took a wrong turn some where after the bridge. I turned so that I could move around the massive hill that stood between me and the aid station at the 18 mile mark. I thought that there was a way to "side-step" the harder straight up route into another one that traverses the hill a bit easier. Not easy, just easier. I have hiked the trail before and knew it was there but, I missed the second turn and soon found myself in unfamiliar territory. Instead of turning around and going back the way I came I ran around like a chicken with my head chopped off for a few miles until I found my way to West Morris Mountain Camp Ground.

From there I made my way to the blacktop in hopes that one of the crew would be passing by. The heat of the day made running on the road a soul sucking experience. I was in one of those low periods. I had hit a wall. I walked along and, jogged when I could until, luckily, Junior came by with water and pretzels. I drank and ate for a minute and asked where we were. I knew I was on the road to Ophier but, not sure how far I was from the turn off for the aid station. He gave me a ride to the turn off and I hopped out and started running again. My soul was still crushed despite the small reprieve of an AC'ed car ride. I jogged along for about another mile of so until Jr. came back and told me that I was about a mile and a half away from the aid station. I was at almost 18 miles in just over 4 hours. I decided to hitch a ride to the station and get back on the trail.

I sat at the station for around 30 min. where another runner came by and asked if this was my first ultra distance attempt. I told him it was and he seemed impressed by the fact that I had picked Uwharrie as the site for my 1st attempt. We exchanged info and said we meet up at the Hinson Lake 24 Classic in September and, off he went.

If you've never been to Uwharrie, the middle segment, to the north trail head is pretty tough. Lots of rocks, roots and climbs both up and down. I took almost 45 min. to run the 2 mile to the turn around but, met up with Joe there and he had some advice for me. He gave me a packet of a protein supplement to try out on one of my runs. He said that it was some thing I needed to think about because the body can start to cannibalize muscle whe you run alot of long distances. Jr. showed up and traded out my water bottle for a fresh one, gave me some stuff to eat, and told me that my wife Hannah had sent me a text message. I didn't bother to read it. I said bye to both of them and took off back up the trail. I could feel my right quad threatening to cramp and I was getting side-stitches. Not uncommon but, still something I would have to deal with when I got to the aid station before heading out again. If I decided to head back out.

As I jogged slowly down the trail I came upon Dan who was walking in the opposite direction. He looked taxed but was in good spirits. I gave him one of my gels because he didn't have any and a couple swigs from my water bottle. I only had about 8/10 of a mile left so I wasn't worried about the water or gel.

I came into the station and sat down on a poncho that had been laid out with our drop bags on it. My hamstrings started to cramp up a little so I streched them out while I sipped on some Gatorade cut with water. I've found it makes it easier to stomach that way. Dan came back a short time later and decided that he had had enough at 20 miles. I was still in limbo but, had changed into a freash pair of socks and shoes just in case. A minute or two later I had made my mind up that I was going to run at least the next segment and see where I was after that. BIG mistake.

My buddy Thai was laying on a towel, having just finished 18 miles and calling it a day along with the only girl to run that day Kathrine. They made jokes about stealing my car and leaving me there since I talked them into doing this. They all told me good luck and, I set off down the toughest section I would do that day.

I was able to run for a bit but, soon was slowed to a light jog followed closely by a walk, then a stumbling trudge. I was miserable and I knew I still had around 4 more miles to go before the next aid station. I was 2 miles into this portion, so I knew that they would have already moved by this time. Turning around wasn't an option. I started think alot at this point. Why was I doing this? What was I trying to prove? Number one to myself and, number 2 to everyone else. I decided that I wasn;t trying to prove anything to anyone else at this point, just me.

As cliche as it may sound I started thinking about the Dean Karnazes book Ultra Marathon Man. There was something his dad had told him at the Western States 100 that kept repeating over and over in my mind. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But no matter what, never give up.

I kept walking as best as I could. Each step more painful than the last. And what was worst, I knew that I was about to start vomiting. I hate throwing up more than anything else in this world but, I knew that it was going to happen. I tried to keep it down for as long as I could but eventually it happened. Powerade is the worst tasting stuff to throw up. I'll just say that. You don't need the gory details. I kept walking as I was puking all over the place. I had to finish as much as I could.

I was stumbling up a long hill when I first started calling out for help. It was the most pathetic thing I think I have ever done in all my life. I don't like to think that I have limitations but, at some point you have to resign yourself to the fact that there is a point when you need help.

I was hunched over dry heaving when I asked God to please let somebody hear me. It was a matter of a minute or 2 when I heard Kathrine and Junior coming down the trail calling my name. Thanks big guy, I owe you a million. Water and food were on their way. What a relief. I kept walking next to Jr. while Kathrine went back to call Brandi. And since I'm kind of hardheaded and, knew I was going to be done at the next aid station I made the most wretched attempt at running the last few hundred meters into the parking area. I looked horrible doing it, I'm sure, but it made me feel good to finish pushing the last little bit of strength I had out of my body. I flopped down in the chair they had waiting for me and began to nod in and out of consciousness. I was done, there was no two ways about it. Even if I could have got up and tried to continue I know my friends wouldn't have let me. They would have had much of a fight to stop me.

The other runners and the crew were giving me encouragement, telling me what a good job I had done but, I was still very disappointed in myself I went over it in my head while I was getting IV fluids, what had I done wrong. As I ran over the day I found the places where I had made my mistakes. I knew what I had done wrong and, I wished I had it all to do over again with what I now new. But there I sat like a baked potato wrapped in a solar blanket because my body temp. was well below normal and I was shaking like a leaf on a tree. No more. Not today. I was done.

Make no mistake I will be back at Uwharrie sometime before I deploy, and I will finish it next time. I may be a dumb runner but, every now and then I do learn a thing or two.

Thanks again to the crew and other runners. It was alot of fun to he able to share the trail with you all. Next stop, Hinson Lake 24 hr. Classic.

King Cobras, Nemo, and Running to the Beach

So, since the last time we met I've had some very full days. Filled with fun and adventure galore!!! The day after I treated myself to the great run that I talked about last time, I awoke to go out and run a not so great run. The cramp that I had mentioned before came back and, refused to leave me alone. I took most of that run easy, that is to say, at a conversational pace. It was slow going but, a nice break from the everyday. I think I had hit on a patch of slight over training so, I took it down a notch for the next couple of days.



That morning I still showed up for my usual 5 a.m. run in the dark but, the cramp was still there and it slowed my pace to a crawl, even more so than the dark. I finally finished my 6 miles in just over an hour and 3 minutes. I was disappointed but, I knew I was having an off day. I got in my car and turned on the AC to try to cool off before the next run at 6:30 with the rest of my detachment. Soon I was fast asleep and, completely dead to the world.



The next thing I knew I could hear the other guys talking and laughing outside my car. The sun was just coming up and I poked my head up above the top of my door. They were looking over at me as I was rubbing the sleep from my eyes and, making Gump jokes about me. "When I was tired of running I would sleep." I'm sure most people know the kind. I won't go into details. When I told them I was going to take it slow today my Det. NCO laughed and asked if I was going to only run a 6 or 5 minute mile.



But this really was an off day so, I ran with a buddy from work that morning and we talked about how we got into the Army and, what we did before we came in. We trudged up one of my favorite hills on the Canopy trails and, all talk stopped. I looked up the hill and quickened my pace towards the top. There were loose sandy areas that make this climb a pretty good workout all on it's own. However, by this time we had already done about 3 3/4 miles. I reached the top several paces ahead of my friend and headed down the other side. He was close behind but, we were about to hit the home leg of the run. This part is thick loose sand, like the kind you would find on a beach. He lost a few steps but then again, so did I and, as we reached the end of the run I stopped to walk and came running past me flinging his hands into the air and shouting, "I BEAT SSG. LOYD!!!"



We had a good laugh at that. I don't get bent out of shape at stuff like that like some guys I know. Everyone has an off day. The only time I get really frustrated is when I get beat when I know I could have done better. If I know that I didn't give 110%. But today was one of those days where I couldn't have cared less.



Saturday was the most fun filled day of all. At 10 in the morning my daughter had a ballet and tap dancing class. Which if you don't have a 2 year old girl in a dance class with other 2 year old girls, it's the funniest thing ever! After the dance class I loaded the family into the car and, we headed off to the coast. Our destination ... Wilmington, NC.



Ms. B was fussy for the first few minutes of the drive but soon fell asleep. However, shortly after her fits stopped, the sky began one of it's own. The wind was blowing and, the rain came down so hard that I had to drive 35 mph in a 55 mph zone just to be able to see the road. My wife and I nearly called the whole trip off when, as quickly as the storm had come, it ceased. The sun came out and the temps quickly climbed back up into the low to mid 90's. Perfect beach weather.



We arrieved in Wilmington just after 1 and went straight to the Serpentarium, I hope I spelled that right. My daughter went insane!!! She was soon running from cage to cage looking at all the different kinds of snakes, lizards, and crocs on display. On the second floor was a massive King Cobra, whose head was the size of my foot ( Just so you have some kind of reference I wear a size 9.) This was the kind of snake that nightmares are made of, a fact which my wife made certain I was aware of. My little girl is fearless though and when we came to the Black Mamba case she got right down in front of it. After that we went to Wrightsville Beach, which was just over 5 miles from our hotel, you can see where this is going, to get some dinner and see the Beach.



After dinner and the beach my wife was pretty wore out so we returned to the hotel for the evening. At least for the two of them. I had other plans for the evening, especially when my wife put on Highschool Musical for our daughter, OH DEAR LORD!!! My master plan was put into action as I pulled on my shorts, Rolling Stones shirt, and my Sauconys. I grabbed my water bottle kissed the wife and kid and, made my way out the door. That was a bit closer to Pop Culture than I really like to be.



Once on the road I made my way down the route that I had mapped out along our first drive from the hotel to the beach. I wasn't sure how long I would run but, I knew I had to outlast that wretched show. Before long I was cruising along the road with cars and trucks wizzing by me. The sky grew dark and I was running at night, my favorite time to run.

It was wonderful. The entire way was on a main road but, I was totally alone. Save for a few passers by, I didn't really have much in the way of human contact. I can be a bit of a loner when it comes to running. I don't like to run with a lot of people, very few in fact. There were people all around me but, none of them even took much notice of me.

Before long I had crossed the bridge into Wrightsville Beach and was headed another mile down the road to the beach. The beach at night is beautiful. Few people and, the waves crashing onto the shore in the moon light. It's an awesome place to be. I called my wife told her where I was and that I was okay and, would be headed back soon.

A few miles down the road I ran out of water but, was close enough to a Shell station that it didn't much matter. When the people saw me running in they stopped and stared. You'd have thought I was an alien the was they were looking at me. This town was supposed to be a "Fit Town 2006 - 2009", so I was sure they had seen people running out of the dark before. I'd passed many of them that night. But, I paid for my water and left. No one in line would come within a few feet of me and, the cashier didn't much care for the 2 dollar bills I had handed him soaked in sweat. Oh well, I thought, gotta be moving on.

That's kind of a metaphor for my life, I'm always moving or going somewhere. Never in one place for too long and, I kind of like it that way. But the next morning came and we were off to the Aquarium which minus a couple of things went fairly quick. My daughter loves Clown fish. "NEMO," she'd scream every time she saw one. After that it was out to lunch and then, back home. I was happy to be back and, promptly fell asleep in my bed. Because in the morning it was back to work.

Why I am a Dumb Runner.

I guess this being my first blog I should probably explain why I call it "The Dumb Runner". I am a soldier and as a soldier I am known for doing things that aren't too bright. I'm not a bad soldier, just I don't worry about my health and welfare all too much. When it comes to running I have the same attitude. I like to push myself in directions that are all too often the wrong ones. I like danger I guess. My dad has told me many times that I'm going to end up killing myself with some of the crap that I do, to which I always answer, " If I die doing something that I love than it will be worth it." He doesn't like that answer, neither does anyone else I know.

Alot of the guys I work with like to ask me how I train for running. This is another reason I called this blog "The Dumb Runner", I don't really know. I get up in the morning go run 6 miles before P.T. (physical training, it's a military thing) and then I run what ever we run when the rest of my group shows up. It usually rounds out to about 10 miles in the morning. in the afternoon I usually go run on a track or do some stairs or sprints or what ever feels right for that particular day. No real rhyme or reason to it at all, if I like something I keep doing it, if not I stop it. Simple as that. Some people like to over think it but, I really don't have the mental capacity for all of that. I like things simple and easy.

I have a log on Runner's World.com but this is mostly just so that I can see how many miles I run in a day, week, or month. I don't know my VO2 Max, I don't even understand how that stuff works. I don't know how to do heart rate training but, I can tell you that my heart soemtimes beats out of my chest when I go on a really good run. I can sometimes feel it beating in my ears and, down in my toes. That's how I know I have had a really good run. It's not science but it works for me.

Anyway, today I went to one of my favorite, if not my favorite, running spots. The Smith Lake Mountain Bike Trails. The main reason I run these trails is because you hardly ever see any MTN Bikes on them and I figure they need someone to use them. So why not me. When I started off I had the plan to run for about an hour to an hour and a half however, I wasn't a quarter of a mile into the run before I started having a terrible cramp in my abdomin just below my rib cage. It lasted for most of the first mile and then subsided shortly into the second. It was slow going but, with the cramp gone I started to pick up my pace and was soon cruising along the trail at a comfortable pace.

Tragedy struck at about mile 2 when I looked down and discovered that my Garmin Forerunner had been stopped. I checked my watch, did a bit of math and figured that it had been stopped for somewhere around 10 - 15 minutes. I know I said that I don't really use much of a method to training but, I do like to keep track of the miles I run. It would have been a day ruining event but, I had read something today that made me see this a bit different. An article in the August issue of Trailrunner was talking about how some runners get so obssessed with their numbers (race finishes, VO2 Max, Splits, etc) that they forget that running is supposed to be fun. It's supposed to make you happy and relieve stress. Runners run because they love it. Because it makes them feel good.

I stood there on the trail cursing my Garmin, and myself, when I thought about that article. Almost immediately I turned off the Garmin, took a quick swig of water and headed down the trail. I found some hills and started climbing them. Up one side and down the other. I ran through mud puddles, splashing water and muck all over myself like a little kid. Every thing was a challenge to be beaten. I jumped over fallen trees and rocks, climbed hills and sped down the other side. This is what trail running is for me. It means happiness but , most of all it means having fun. If my heart wasn't in this I would stop tomorrow but, this is what I love to do. I'm a Dumb Runner.