How does a person start a race report proud only to report a DNF? Although I did not make it to the finish I earned all 33 miles that I pushed for. My stomach has been an issue all year with the longer distances but I really thought I had a good plan in place for this race. Imodium the night before and the morning of should have taken care of any problems that might come up right?? After a total of 4 Imodium pills during the event I knew I was loosing more than I could get in and the effects where starting to take place. At one point I had no trees to shield me on the trail and took 4 steps into an open field to “do my business” when a truck full of hunters came by and just stared at the crazy sight of me only steps from them. All I could do was wave and then laugh. The funnier part is that when I reached for some baby wipes I realized I was OUT!! So what is a girl to do…. Yes I sacrificed one of my gloves and carried on. When I neared what would be my last station I saw my husband and a course medic coming towards me. I knew it was over. The tears followed and my husband and dad embraced me with so much love. What a blessing to have so much support and love even when you fall short of reaching a goal. I have no doubt that I had put in the right amount of training and overall felt fine but my stomach just would not settle down. This lasted until 10 pm that night.
As for the race and the course… steep does not even come close. The elevation changes and climbs were crazy. Seeing the sun come up over the mountains is a moment that I think I will hold forever! We were told by several veterans that we picked one of the hardest out there. The aid station were well stocked and plenty along the way. Still I would not give nothing for the time I have spent training with these awesome girls. The runners that I met and spoke with along the way were like being reunited with an old friend that you loved. Truly fantastic stories shared along the way. Will there be another 50 mile in the future… YOU BET!!! This girl is going to figure out the stomach issue and put a plan B in place.
As for the girls, 2 out of the 5 of us reached the finish line. The cut off times were strict and made this a race down right hard!! I am so proud of each of us for having the guts to set a goal and reach for something most would be terrified of doing. No regrets!! I will take 33 miles any day on a course like that. What a fantastic day!!
Enjoy the photos...
Moving along.
Proof that I was taking in tons of fluids.
Feeling great and really enjoying a beautiful trail!!
Approaching an aid station uphill!
Scott running in to the last aid station of this race for me. I was dtermined that I would finish it running!!
Still standing and still smiling!!! What a great day! Girls ROCK!!
20 comments:
One of the volunteers in the changing tent at IM Florida was talking to me about an athlete that had just left the tent. He said,
"All he has to do is finish to win."
I said.
"No! He toed the starting line, swam 2.4 miles, and biked 112. He's already a winner."
You will have to carry the stigma of being a winner forever :-)
Like Wes said, lacing 'em up and standing on the ready line makes you a winner in my book. The race will go on next year, as I am sure, so will you, all the way!
All I can say is this. I am SO VERY PROUD OF YOU ! ! ! ! Not much else to add...I will share other moments in private.
Love you so much,
Great pictures Robin and soooo very glad we talked last night. I love your upbeat spirit, drive and determination for a sport you love so much. You'll get your 50 miler, I'm sure! You're definately a winner!!!! and should be so very proud of yourself!
Way to go, way to inspire.
Robin, you're awesome. You're running for all the right reasons. Sorry about the nagging stomach problems. I wish there were some miraculous advice I could give you. You did pick a tough one out there. No shame in not finishing this one, but you already know that. :)
Robin you are so AWESOME!!! Seriously!! I LOVE how you have such a positive spin on things :-) This won't be the last 50 miler I AM SURE!! ;D ;D
Great Job Robin, from the reports I have read and my Coach Lisa has told me it's SOOO tough when the stomach issues don't go away. She had to drop on several occasions because of that...
You are a winner for TOE'ing the line & completing 33miles and yes I heard that is a tough ass course...
SO Congrats and you will have plenty of future races....you are an ULTRA Chick :-) no doubt in my mind!
way to go robin ... i loved all the pictures - thanks SO much for sharing! you will get the stomach issues figured out - i am sure, just in time for plan B!! you gotta love having a plan B ... we'll get all our ducks in a row together for our next attempts at our next endeavor!!! you rock! a total inspiration ...
Congrats Robin on running an incredible 33 miles!! You did your best and we're all really proud of you! :) You'll get that 50 miles in soon, I'm sure, and you are really learning a lot about ultra running in the meantime. Great job out there and I love your positive attitude. You've done something most people would never even consider, let alone attempt. You are awesome!! Rest up and let us know all about "Plan B!" :)
Your spirit and attitude are amazing!! You are very inspiring!! Tummy troubles are no fun at all and I have no doubt that you will be back out there strong for the next one!!
Sorry I just realized I am logged in to DH account. Sorry. LOL That last comment is from Lisa/Javamom!
Hey .. you ran 33 miles further than most of the population yesterday. 33 miles! You rock Robin.
You had me on the floor with the thought of a car full of beer guzzling hunters gawking at a runner doing what needs to be done.
You are such an inspiration! I am so impressed by your attitude and can't wait to experience your next big race with you :)
Robin,
A DNF can be a great motivator. So did you ask yourself "What was I thinking?" when you started some of those climbs? You certainly made the right decision. You don't sound like you have any regrets and you shouldn't. I've had many runners tell me that getting sick is all a part of what you need to deal with in ultras. I disagree; I've run man 50K's and 50 milers without ever getting sick. My only DNF's (2) were because I had the flu once and never should have started, and what I think was altitude sickness.
I wish I could offer you some advice for future runs (no pun intended) however you were using Imodium and that's what I would recommend.
Did Horton tell you that you're just not tough enough to run his race? He's a button pusher.
Take care, let us know when you decide on your next 50 mile attempt. If I were you I'd find one real soon!
Cheers!
Eric
DNF is in no way a DNTHE (Did Not Try Hard Enough)! You trained really hard and ran your butt off. (Pun not intentional, but funny in retrospect) It's quite a feat to run as far as you did, and only have to stop due to an issue of (escaping) nutrition, not preparation. Even more impressive is the complete preparation you had for this. How many people could realistically complete that training regimin? Not many, I suspect. THAT is the true mark of success, in my opinion. Anybody in reasonable shape can go out and suffer through a 10k or something, but the person that trains their butt off and is 100% ready is impressive. Multiply that by about 50 times, and we are approaching the dedication you put into this race. 100s of miles in training and preparation. You are such and Ultra Girl! Rock it, Robin!!
If you can put a race like that in perspective and learn from it, then it is a success...even if you didn't finish the entire distance. All of the other posters hit the nail on the head. Most people never dare to dream of doing such a thing. I read a great quote today in the book I'm reading...
"I would rather aim for the stars and hit a stump than aim for a stump and hit nothing."
That looks beautiful and scary. You did a great job! 33 miles is freakin' far! You'll get your 50 soon.
Thanks for sharing.
Finishing or not...you did awesome and looks like you still had a good time despite stomach issues.
Oh, isn't it strange that the body sometimes refuses to cooperate, no matter how determined we are? You still look great in all the pictures :). I am sure next time you will get this done, the way you like it.
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