Drake Relays On The Roads Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

How can I say my run went? Ah I know: It sucked!!!!! Like I said eariler I've been sick for four days, did not get a good night sleep, and had no GU with me. Three strikes and I already haden't crossed the start line!

I decided to take the first three miles easy while using the Jeff Galloway method of run/walk with a 5:1 minute ratio. The first three miles flew by and I felt great. I was still running in a pack of several thousand and the energy was infectious. By now I was plently warm and slid off my long sleeve shirt. I refused to toss it alone the side so I carried it.

Miles 4-6 I kept up my same ratio but decided to pick up the pace slightly. I continued to feel great and was still running with a large group of people. With a 10k split of 1:09:57 I was right on track for a negative split.

Miles 6-7 I started to feel the effects of prolonged sickness and no GU. The course only provided water which I was drinking just enough. At the end of mile 7 I had slowed down to my first three mile pace and was rapidly loosing speed and energy. No nose was running like no other and I was also coughing up nastly looking large chunks of thick mucus out of my lungs. I was thankful I had my thick long sleeve shirt to use instead of having to let it run down my face or get it all over my running close.

Miles 7-9 My left hip was in so much pain. Every step I took I could feel my left hip pop sending vibrations down my leg and up my spine. This served to make me winch at every step. Soon my right knee stated to feel the pain of tring to take on some of the work of the left leg. I was soon reduced down to a VERY slow run for one minute followed by an even slower walk which was really a shuffle. I soon noticed that my breathing was totally out of control. I was actually gasping instead of taking smooth and easy breaths. I seemed to have lost any form of control, I actually started to get concerned looks from people watching from their lawns.

Miles 9-11.5 was by far my darkest time. I was so hungry, my breakfast was long gone and burned by my body. I could feel my belly and body screaming for more than just water. I didn't dare close my eyes because every time I did I got dizzy and went stumbeling across the street. At one of the water stations I truly wanted to quite, accept my very first DNF in three years of racing. The only reason I didn't was because I'd have to walk back to the finish line anyway so I might as well continue. By this time I was hobbling at alone for 5+ minutes with a 30 second glorified shuffle. I soon realized that I could move faster with less pain and dizziness at a fast walk. I could see barly see a few runners ahead of me in the distance, I gaave up hope of catching up with them. My hope for a PR was replaced with just wanting to finish in time.

Miles 11.5-13.1 I was despirate to finish, I resorted to using my iPhone that I stuck in my pocket and started texting a friend. I had nothing else to keep my mind off the pain. There it was, I could see the finish line banner in the distance, I picked up my walk and started going as fast as my tired sick and hungry body would allow. At a quarter of a mile left I dug deep within myself and grabed hold of the last bit of running energy I had and crossed the finish mats moving at a pathetic run.

Not attempted to run while sick. Two days before the run my doctor advised me not to run it. He doubted if I could make it at all let alone saftly. I also would remember my GU packs and eat around the halfway mark and more if needed.

Stumbled into the shelter and ate a quick orange slice and some yogurt. I was so hungry but I just could not stomach what was served to me. I used the walk back to my car to stretch.


Being sick, not having my GU, little sleep.


I will be back next year to challange the race and end on a better note with better times.