Diablo Update
"Old habits reappear -
Fighting the fear of fear ...
Frayed ends of sanity -
Hear them calling me."
- Metallica - "Frayed Ends of Sanity"
I had a devil of a time at Mount Diablo on Sunday.
That's a polite way of saying that this race nearly killed me. I managed to finish in 11:42, which was a slight improvement over last year on what was generally considered to be an even tougher day than last year's furnace-like conditions.
I've never been so frazzled during and after a race than I was today - and that's including the Ironman triathlon and 100-miler in my past. I was in one of those "I'm never doing this again" places, but I think after a couple of days that feeling should (hopefully) pass.
I have dozens of pictures to go through and about 100 muscle cramps and spasms to work out, but I hope to have a full race report posted here on Tuesday or Wednesday. Until then, feel free to start your week with some classic headbanging riffs, courtesy of Metallica. (Strange link - it's from a Spanish website - but the concert video rips)
Metallica - "Frayed Ends of Sanity" (click to play):
14 comments:
I hear it was tough...Rick G. What's up with him...he is becoming a machine. Great job and anxious to hear your continued journey to WS. Matt Crownover is one of our NTTR guys to represent us North Texans.
p.s. I have been in that, "I'm never doing this freaking thing again!" Mode...of course that was last year and I am running it again this year...my motto is never make decisions like that in the angst of battle.
No thanks on the classic head-banging. I do enough of that in daily life!
Sorry to hear it was a rough day...however, as always, it schooled you in how to push through it. You may find that it is one of your better training events because of it. Now when you are feeling the same way out there on the WS trail, you'll know that you can and will continue on, and that you will be fine. Good lesson, and better learned on a 50 miler than a 100 miler!
I've so been in the "never again" mode several times recently. But it fades with each passing day and I find myself eagerly awaiting the next one. I hope that is true for you too.
Can't wait for the full-meal-deal report!
It was wicked hot this weekend-- way to persevere and to remind the world that Bruins do not quit!! Just think of it as extra heat training for States.
I'm so happy our paths finally crossed Donald, and even better--in the form of a few shared minutes on the trail!
Glad to hear you finished, and I'm sure everything you went through out there is now part of your arsenal to combat the difficulties to be faced in future races. Can't wait to hear about it!
(I hope to have my report up by Tuesday as well.)
Congrats Donald, such a brutal event way to close it out and get it done and fight off those battles!! Look forward to ur report and pics!
DB, you definitely had that look in your eyes. I can laugh because I've been there several times myself. It was a brutal day but good that we survived it. Great training for Western States. The two canyons can hit over a 100. Well that was definitely a character building day wasn't it. Really good to meet up with you again, always a pleasure. Rest up and I'll email you your pictures tonight as well.
P.S. I had my Metallica loaded on my player yesterday. A runner, as we were heading into Rock City, wouldn't let me pass him. Every time I got close he would pull away. I was getting tired keeping up with him, so I ran behind for a couple of miles and waited for my strength to return. He however was getting tired because he was letting me over extend him. On a downhill fire road section I made my pass just as "The Four Horsemen" came on. It was nitro for my soul. I left him, as in he wasn't in sight within the next few minutes.
You let Rick-boy beat you by an hour?? Donald, get your stuff together and get training! WS is 2 months away! I am coming to watch you - and to scold you too!
:) Congrats, man. Who am I to speak, I am running "cut off's" this weekend.
I can relate to that "never doing this again" feeling. Some days are just like that - for so many reasons. Sorry you had a bad one. Take care of those muscles and hopefully the bad memories will fade away with the aches and pains.
It was great to meet you yesterday, Donald- thanks for saying hi at check-in!
Look forward to reading your report...
Looks like everyone had a tough racing weekend, but none of us can claim to have run as tough a course like you did. Sounds like you managed to pull through a seriously rough one, but I'll await the race report to confirm the details.
I really meant to volunteer for this to work an aid station and then I forgot! How lame. Sorry it was such a rough one but you did it and knowing you could push through will surely come back to you in moments of need during WS-100. You WILL see me there. Oh yes you will.
Ha, ha, "devil" of a time. Sorry it was such a bad day for you. Congratulations on beating last year's time.
Post a Comment