Wildfire Half 2017

7.16.17

2nd time for this one.

I ran this event in 2015 and thought it sucked. Why am I back??

Mellew's races are bad.  This one is no exception.  This race takes pace at at the CH Collins Athletic  Complex in same site that hosts many of the DAR TRI's.  While this course makes some sense as a bike course, it is a terrible run course.  Again, why am I here?

I suspect it was a temperature check race for me.  With Pikes Peak and Chicago coming up, I needed to see where I was in terms of running.

I arrived early, picked up my packet, and waited.  I visited with a few folks prior to the race, and we commented on how the weather was mild...that would change.

I hoped to run 9:30's for the 1st half of then race, see how I felt, and, adjust accordingly.

When the race started, I settled into my planned pace. My knees were a little achy, but, I was hoping that would improve as I loosened up.  By the end of mile 1, I was feeling better, but, was already sweating.

I was pacing as planned, and, even with a quick pee stop at mile 2.5, felt as if I was running my planned race. I was able to jog up hills, and, was passing several folks.  I quickly remembered how shitty of a course this is.  On a highway shoulder in the middle of nowhere with trucks whizzing by, no relief from the sun, lots of hills etc.  (Note to self: stop racing with Mellew).

 I felt ok through the turnaround, but, it was startling to get hot.  By mile 7 I was feeling some pain in my left Achilles, and had rubbed a blister on my right foot.  My race fell apart at that point.  Longer stretches of walking ensued, with the need for fluids, ice towels, etc.

I struggled thru the last 6 with lots of walking.  It was incredibly hot, and I was spent.

I mustered up the energy to jog in to the finish, and booked a slow 2:21:32. Even with the terrible time, I was 6th of 18 in my AG, and faster than last time I ran this race.  Clearly, it was a tough day for everybody.

Now, a few days later, I'm convinced that I suffered heat exhaustion during the race.  I took 2 naps later that day, felt like I couldn't get enough fluids, and, felt tired and dehydrated until Tuesday.

Glad this one is done.