| W e s t e r n S t a t e s 100 M i E n d u r a n c e R u n S q u a w Va l l e y, CA June 26-27, 2 0 0 4 page 4 of 4 |
| FORESTHILL TO THE RIVER CROSSING : With the upcoming descent out of FH, we both felt I could be back on plan by Dardanelles. Alex and I enjoyed running the first part of the descent. He commented that I was probably a lot of fun to run with , especially when I did not have 62miles on my legs. I laughed, because I really like running technical descents: unbridled motion. Last year, this had been one of my favorite sections of the course..........I had pretended that my pacer and I were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fleeing the law and trying to seek refuge in the canyon before sunset. This year I was happy to be beyond FH, and heading toward Rucky. Not quite to the bottom of the initial descent, there was suddenly a pain in my right knee. I could not fully straighten it or bend it very much. The pain scared me. We pulled off the to side of trail to let two folks go by… it was Howard from So Cal and his pacer. He asked if I was okay, and I told him my knee hurt. I told Alex that I wanted to try to walk carefully to see if I could walk out the pain. So we walked a stretch and slowly the knee returned to normal. We eventually resumed running, but I was careful to take small steps and not overstride the downhills. The pain disappeared as mysteriously as it appeared, and did ot return. It was a relief, because there was no way I could limp in another 36+ miles to Auburn. Shortly thereafter, Jim from Connecticut passed me for a final time. Apparently he had found a pacer in Foresthill. About a mile or so later, the diarrhea began to raise its ugly head again. The abdominal pain returned, and I had to stop alongside the trail and relieve myself. This was not good. Shortly after I had finished up and was ready to continue down the trail, I heard my name being called. It was Carlos and his pacer. I watched them both disappear out of sight down the trail. We reached Dardanelles. It was still daylight. My plan had been to try to reach Peachstone, 5miles further down the trail, before darkness set in. At Dardanelle, I was afraid to eat much solid food for fear I would just be adding more stuff to the pipeline. I had my gel flask of hammergel, and it would be a source of calories for me. I did not make it to Peachstone before dark. Somewhere after Dardanelles but before the sky became dark, there was more abdominal pain and another bout of diarrhea to contend with. The diarrhea was draining me. I felt like I was being attacked. All I could do was deal with it and keep moving forward. Darkness was approaching and I turned on my Green LED flashlight. Eventually we reached Peachstone after several false left turns in the trail. I believe it was Peachstone where I finally got some coffee. I could tell I was losing time. But I was still moving. Maybe things would get better. It was also in this section that I believe I put on my longlseeve shirt, because the temperature was beginning to drop. I remember that Alex and I talked about our respective families and his school work and an assortment of other topics in this section. He was an interesting conversationalist. I thought about my Dad in this section. Peachstone and Cal #3 seem uneventful in my memory. I remember reaching the point on the course, where the last aidstation before the turnaround is located in Rucky Chucky Roundabout. The moon was out and reflecting off of the river. The reflection moved along as we did. Very serene. Eventually the lights of Rucky Chucky were in view off in the distance. We continued moving forward at a moderate pace. I think we arrived to Rucky Chucky around 12:30-ish. . The stretch from Foresthill to Rucky took me about an hour longer than planned. But I was still ahead of my time from last year and was optimistic. RC was a weight check aidstation. I removed my waistpack and stepped on the scale. My weight again was in the 143-145 range. I drank another cup of coffee here before heading down the rocky trail to the stretched cable and river crossing. Approaching the river, I heard my name being called and it was German and his pacer David. German was having problems with asthma from all the dust, and his feet were blistered. He asked me how I was doing, and I told him it was not a party for me either and that the diarrhea was still plaguing me. Entering the river, the water felt cold . One of the volunteers said the water temperature had been colder last year. But for whatever reason, I felt very cold crossing this year. Last year the night time temperatures remained very warm. It was noticeably cooler at night this year, and the cooler air temperature could have been why the crossing seemed colder this year to me. As we approached the far side, I let go of the cable and held on to Alex until we reached the shore. I had three cans of Boost in this dropbag. I think I drank two of them and poured the third one in a bottle. I also swapped my empyt gel flask, for a full one from the dropbag. I replenished my supply of S-caps. My memory starts getting foggy here. I remember talking to German. German was sitting in a chair, waiting for a podiatrist to work on the blisters on his feet. I left ahead of Alex and started the climb out of the aidstation. Alex caught up with me, then had to return down the hill for something. On his way back up, I asked him to grab the longlseeve shirt from my dropbag. He retrieved the shirt and brought it to me. I put it on, and we continued the climb to Green Gate (GG). Just like last year, there was lots of foot traffic in both directions in this section between RC and GG. I asked a couple of people who passed me going downhill what the outcome of the Mens’ race had been, and they told me Jurek had one again and set a new CR. Alex and I arrived to GG, the 80mile mark, around 1:15am. THE HOMESTRETCH: At GG, I think I had some coffee. We did not stay long here, and left the aidstation en route to Auburn Lake Trails(ALT). It was in the next mile that the serious problems began to occur. Alex became my guardian angel in the next 12miles. On slight uphill climbs I began getting light headed. I told Alex that I felt like I might pass out. He said to stop and lean back on him until the light-headedness subsided. A lot of people were beginning to pass us after GG. I focused on my breathing to try to avoid feeling lightheaded. But when the light-headedness overtook me, we would come to a stop and Alex would hold on to me until I felt okay to continue. There is some downhill leading into ALT and Alex mentioned ALT was getting closer. About a mile before ALT, I popped out of it a bit and was able to move along again at a more decent pace. To make conversation, Alex told me about some movies he had recently seen and a trip into Manhattan he made with his girlfriend to see a Broadway showing of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Thoroughly Modern Millie had been one of my favorite musical-movies when I was growing up, and I still remember lyrics to some of the songs like Tap-Tap-Tapioca, Jimmie, Poor Butterfly and the theme song. In the movie Julie Andrews played the main character Millie, and Mary Tyler Moore played her best friend. We talked about the story-line, the tap dancing in the elevator, and Alex said that the props had been very good in the stage production. Approaching ALT there was a volunteer warning runners and pacers about a root in the sharp turn of a switchback. I made a wrong turn and Alex quickly corrected me. It was right at 4am when I reached ALT. It had taken me 2:45 to cover just over 5miles. Not exactly zipping along. Alex and I felt that I should stay at ALT for 5-10minutes to try to get some more calories in my system. My ALT dropbag contained Boost and another full flask of Hammergel. I drank both cans of Boost and along with some other stuff. I estimate I consumed between 500-600 calories. I tried to eat a PB&J but it made me gag and I spit it out. I left ALT feeling revived and hopeful that I was out of the rough spot I had fallen into right after GG. My spirit was back. Alex and I left ALT at a good pace. Unfortunately I pushed too hard, and after about 2miles (my estimate, it could have been less distance), I was depleted again and feeling light-headed. Alex started holding on to me again. One time I briefly passed out and Alex kept me on my feet. When people would approach us from behind, Alex would tell them that we would let them pass as soon as there as a good spot. I am fortunate not to be sensitive to posion oak. If folks asked how we were doing as they passed by, Alex would say “we are moving in a straight line again” or “we are moving forward”. I was sick once in this section and threw up the Hammergel. The sun was beginning to rise and the sky was becoming lighter and lighter. Not long after daylight set in, the mid-pack sweeps on horseback passed by us. I hurt . I remember someone passed by me and told me I was looking good, and I replied “liar” under my breath. I told Alex I felt like one of the monsters in a horror movie, no matter how many times it was shot or if its arm was cut off, it continued moving forward slowly. During the last mile or so into Browns Bar I could not stay warm. I had on two longleeve shirts. Alex gave me his longsleeve shirt to wear. Two people that passed by me, that I knew: Tim Hicks (Doug's pacer) and Joe Prusaitis. They each gave me a jacket, and Joe also gave me gloves. Doug gave me a big hug and told me he hoped I would feel better. I could tell by the expressions on their faces, that they were surprised. With these extra layers, and a hooded jacket I still could not stay warm. I arrived to Browns Bar (BB) at the 90mile mark after sunrise, around 6:30 maybe. Alex and I decided that I should spend some time here trying to recuperate. There was plenty of time before the BB cut-off. I sat in a chair right inside the entrance. The volunteers quickly wrapped me in a blanket. Alex told me I looked like crap compared to yesterday morning, and that I was very pale and had lost the color in my lips. He wiped off my face. One volunteer at BB was particularly helpful to me. He sat beside me and held my hands to try to warm them up. Alex brought me water and potato soup and made sure I was sipping each regularly. During the 45-60minutes that I was at BB, I consumed 3 or 4 cups of potato soup. When I tried to stand up to walk to the port-a-potty, the volunteer removed the blanket from around me and immediately my legs started shivering. So I sat back down. The nice volunteer wrapped the blanket back around me, and eventually gave me a pair of sweat pants to wear. Someone had Immodium AD at this aidstation, and Alex brought me a tablet. While at BB, I saw Letha and several other runners I know pass through. Gordy entered the aidstation walking backwards mooning everyone. With about 50+minutes to spare against the aidstation cut-off , Alex asked me if I was ready to leave. I was. I felt I had my spirit back again. Alex told me the color had returned to my lips. We felt that since I had some calories in me, it would be safe to move on. I did not want to stay forever in the aidstation. I don’t think it had completely sunk in yet, how degraded my condition was. Alex grabbed another styrofoam cup of potato soup for the road. The volunteers let me keep the blanket, so I left the aidstation still wrapped in a blanket. It helped to pretend that, wrapped in the worn and dirty winter blanket, I was the indian Chief Granite Toe ( My favorite nickname for my pet cat.. he is gray with a couple small white spots on one of his rear paws. I tell him that in his past life, he was a fierce mountain lion that led a happy life in High Sierra). But in reality, any runner needing a blanket on the trail must not be in the best of shape ,or else is a Linus-wannabe, I really like the descent from BB down to the river, and even though I could not run down it at this point, it was an easy walk with Alex . Alex stopped me every so often to eat more soup and drink more water. Yes, it was good to have my spirit back again. Steve Reagan and Don Lundell passed me in this downhill section, as did Wini and Kristina. Wini was surprised to see me. I told her I would see her in Auburn, but the reality of my situation was beginning to hit . I felt okay for the descent to the river, but once we started traversing those rolling hills on the dirt road along the river, I began to feel light headed on the ascents. We had to stop a few times to let me stabilize. Getting close to the left turn on to the single track to head up to HWY 49, the time was approaching the HWY 49 cut-off. A few more pairs of runners/pacers passed by us. The sun was starting to rise higher in the sky , warming up the air, and I was able to remove the blanket and hooded jacket. The HWY 49 cut-off time eventually passed. I told Alex I was concerned I might pass out if I tried to make the climb, Alex said we could take two steps at a time and that he would catch me if I passed out. He would not let me fall to the ground. He told me that his girlfriend also weighed 140lbs, and he could support her weight without any problem. I had to chuckle . Alex had been sweet and patient, I felt so grateful to have him with me. If the Hwy49 cut-off had not passed, I would have been willing to try the climb. But it seemed an unnecessary risk to take at this point. If I were to faint, and I did not quickly return to a state of consciousness then Alex might have a serious problem on his hands to deal with, and I did not want to put him or myself in that situation. Therefore, I suggested that we find a shaded spot on the dirt road and sit down and wait for the sweep (the people on horse back). And so we did. I estimate that I stopped around the 92mi mark. It was nice to enjoy the pleasant Sunday morning sitting near the river and talking to Alex about the Sierras, the various types of trees, the scents which permeate the air, the beauty of different seasons, and black licorice . Alex asked me to finish off the potato soup. It was both a comforting and fitting way to end my WS experience this year (instead of dropping out at an aidstation) . The lyrics of Mancini’s "Moon River" passed through my mind ....The American River is my Huckleberry friend (The Merced River runs a close second). I felt that I belonged here at this spot along the middle fork, more than I belonged back in Houston. This area seems like home to me, and I miss it. Alex told me that this WS experience will probably put some more “piss and vinegar’ in my training. He had collapsed from dehydration 33miles into an event in 2003. Several people had helped him and taken care of him on the trail when he collapsed.. He said he felt it was karma that he ended up pacing me this year. Everytime we heard a noise, we looked to see if it was the arrival of the horses. Eventually the sweep came by, and I smiled to Alex for I was looking forward to a horseback ride! And so with help from Alex and one of the volunteers I was hoisted on to the back of a brown saddled horse named Goodie… she was an older , gentle horse with some gray in her mane. My treasured horseback ride was short-lived, because after a few minutes a vehicle arrived on the dirt road. Alex and I were given car ride up to Hwy 49 (instead of going on horse back). At the Hwy49 aid station, I asked to be taken to the finish line. But the doctor at Hwy 49 felt I needed to go to the hospital to be checked. I did not want to go to the hospital, and the doctor "strongly advised" that I go. ( There was an emergency squad and medics waiting on me when I arrived to hwy 49). My blood pressure was low: 90/40. Finally I just gave in to the doctor's wishes, because no one would take me to the finish line. Alex went with me to hospital. At the hospital I had an IV. The blood test results showed my CPK to be in the 4500 range, which is okay (no kidney problems). It is ironic that there was concern about kidney problems, because I urinated more during WS than I have in any other ultra I've done. Around 12;30pm, Joe and Mike found me at the hospital; it was comforting to see them. They had gathered up my drop bags from the high school. Mike was wearing his cougar medal around his neck ! Then Wini & Lee arrived to the hospital. They had been looking all over for me. Eventually Alex’s friend Brian showed up at the hospital, and it was time for Alex to leave. I felt sad to say goodbye; I could not thank him enough for watching over me like he did. He gave me a hug and then left. Saturday evening, I stayed with friends. THE AFTERMATH: I don't feel bad about not finishing WS this year, I kept trying to move forward until I timed out. But since returning, I have felt some sadness and disappointment -- especially during the long flight back to Houston. I need to stay positive about the experience and see the glass as half-full. It is bizarre that I got the diarrhea. Lesson learned: In the future I will add anti-diarrhea medicine in each of my dropbags as a precaution. It is too bad that I did not have a problem with diahrrea in a 50miler, then I would have learned about Immodium AD. It was an expensive lesson to learn at WS. I gave WS a strong effort; so I am satisfied. I had a great time running until the effects of the diarrhea really started catching up with me. The diarrhea was one of those unknown factors that can pop up during an event. I don't feel that I went out too hard in the early part of course. In fact I held fairly close to my plan, and without the diarrhea and abdominal discomfort I think I would have come in on my plan or better. My feet held up the best they ever have (only three blisters….. all under the nails of little toes, no blisters on bottoms of my feet), and my quads were not sore.. In retrospect, I think the reason I held up as long as I did was that I took good care of myself by drinking the Boost at my dropbags and eating PB&J (especially for the first 62miles) and also by taking an S-cap every 60minutes. I tried to replace what I was losing. As mentioned earlier in this report, I have felt that if I continued entering ultras that eventually the law of probability would catch up with me and something out of my control would happen (illness, injury/fall, bad weather) that I could not fix on the trail or out-run ; preventing me from finishing. I just did not expect it to happen this year at WS. This is my first DNF. Alex was a great pacer; he had to put up with a lot of stops on the trail and after GreenGate holding on to me when I felt like I would pass out. I cannot say enough good things about him. I really enjoyed his company, and maybe someday I’ll get a chance to run with him again when I’m in a healthier state and with fresh legs. I wish him the best at VT100 later this month. I think that we both gained insights from the experience which will make us both stronger and better runners for future 100mi events. I am not sure why the diarrhea occurred. Possibly I was exposed to a bug that managed to take hold of me during WS? Or possibly something I ate on Thursday or Friday was responsible for the distress? Someone suggested I might have gotten some contaminated food at an aidstation . Or possibly some water I received an an early aidstation did not agree with my system. I will never know exactly why the diarrhea occurred. Since returning to Houston, I had an appointment with my hematologist for the routine testing of my iron levels. I told her about the bizarre diarrhea I had at WS. She said that it sounds like a case of food poisoning/contamination given the sudden onset and that I had been feeling okay in the days prior to the event.. If this is the case, then Immodium AD may not have been a complete solution. I feel fortunate not to have had worse health problems. Thanks to RD Greg Soderlund and all of the volunteers who make Western States happen each year. And thanks to all my friends who helped me out , especially Alex, Joe, Mike , and Wini and Lee. In mid-September, I am looking forward to SNER and helping out at RDL-100. In the meantime I will take a short break from running and allow my immune system a chance to recover from the past few months. T H E E N D |
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