Bandera 100k: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Well, I decided to run. And about all I have to say about my race this year is: I got her done. I started to feel awful at about mile 15 – halfway through the first loop. And I started thinking about dropping. I don’t drop from races unless I have a bone sticking out of my skin or some such dire medical issue, –so I started fantasizing about that. (Yeah, that’s how lousy I felt.) Sadly my ankle was fine — ALL DAY. Can you believe it? Remember Monday?
And Tuesday?
Yeah, not a whisper from it. Nothing through all the shoe sucking mud or over the slippery rocks. So there no excuse to stop there. At one point my urine was pretty dark, and I started to wish for tea colored urine, so I could cry rhabdo. (It was a concern with a recent calf injury and I’ve had it before…) No such luck. I was just dehydrated from the 66-70 degree temperatures and 90-100% humidity. So I kept running. And running. And running. And on into the night.
I did have a few good spells and I managed to run up the hills better than I ever have, but mostly I just dragged myself along. My iron’s still super low, but mostly I think I’m just not entirely in shape yet after a long (and necessary) break. And I still struggled keeping calories down. (No amazing vomiting stories for you this time, but if pressed, I can tell you some gross undigested Chomps ones.)
On the bright side, I did get to spend some time talking with a few really nice female runners I’d read about. That was awesome. (And then they ran off.) And it was a great exercise in just getting it done. And I did win first masters (because Meghan Arbogast was sick), so now I only need $775 by the end of February to apply for Badwater. (Send your money raising thoughts.)
Gear: In case you’re interested and because I was really happy with my gear yesterday — and I had a lot of time to think about it as I slogged along: I wore some taller Drymax socks and they worked perfectly through all the mud. Perfectly. I also wore that little Spry UltraAspire racing pack and it was great. It has a really nice pocket for dispensing GU Chomps. The peach tea ones are tasty.
And I wore NB road shoes. ! At Bandera. On the rocks. They sloughed off the mud wonderfully — and they didn’t slip on anything. I’m rethinking my tread and lug needs.
And, of course, I wore my Team RWB shirt — so I didn’t whine any — even when I was lying on the ground trying to get my stomach to settle — watching other female runners go by. Thank goodness for the shirt! 
4th place. 90ish minutes slower than last year. Building block. Next stop in the race a month 2013 challenge: Rocky?
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Way to go Liza! I have to admit that I thought you might be cursed getting injured right before the race, but you pulled it off!
Thanks Sarah! I was really happy running turned out to be the right decision.
Ugh Liza! I was 90 minutes slower than last year, and had the same sluggish feeling, but I whined continuously! That is the difference between champions and grouches. No matter what you do, you are always a champion to all of us.
Same, Rachel. It was easy with my WWRD bracelet.
I am so proud of you – for the resolve to go on when you didn’t want to, for humility, for tears, hugs, pushing on, and all those wonderful things that have little to do with a place number, but a lot about character building. It was wonderful to visit with Eliot and Asa – that school did him good! Would love to come over and visit, seriously thinking about it. Head up.
It was so wonderful to see you at Chapas. I laughed about our exchange later. “Now don’t cry.
“I already did.”
“I know.”
I need to come to Austin to retrieve my friend’s drop bag this week or next. Going to hijack you for some visiting time.
Yes for hijacking!
Stunning Liza! So pleased the ankle was not a problem and you managed to start the race, let alone finish so well. Brilliant.
All the best with the recovery. Richard
Thanks so much Richard. Can’t quite believe Rocky is 20 days away. Will try not to sprain/strain/break anything in the mean time. Next race for you?
Oh! I’ve got a 50 miler along the Thames in a few weeks time which is a bit of a test race – going to need to break out the thermals by the looks of it – flat but squelchy at the moment! If I finish I’ll be happy. Under 9 hours and I’ll be over the moon! Take care until Rocky! Richard
I will keep my fingers crossed that it is an excellent test race!
Always my super-momma ultra running role model and HERO! Hugs!!
It was so great to see you at Nachos! Thank you.
I’ve have always heard what phenomenal runner you were but nothing I respect more than a great runner finishing a race on a bad day. You’re stock has tripled in my eyes. Congrats on roughing it out-you will be that much stronger your next outing. Much respect.
Thank you so much for the kind words. They mean a great deal. It’s good to be humbled by an ultra. Still, I’m hoping Rocky has a bit less “roughing it out” and lot more “this is a lot of fun right now.”
You’re awesome. So encouraging, so fun to be around. Great to talk for a bit!
It was so great to get to talk to you Sabrina. I hope our paths cross a lot now that you’re in Texas. You have a place to stay and a trail running guide anytime you’re in San Antonio.
Congratulations on a great run. Your amazing!
Thanks so much Fawn! And back at you.
[...] “No amazing vomiting stories for you this time, but if pressed, I can tell you some gross undigested Chomps ones.” by Liza @ Liza Howard [...]