This morning I went up to Pasadena to run an 8K race, Montrail's Run Like a Girl trail race. Now, I am no brilliant runner and no genius planner but some things I know.
I know that if it is 90 degrees out and the weather advisory for the area is "Extreme Heat" (check out the Weather Channel/ weather.com) you need to make sure your runners are hydrated. Run Like a Girl doesn't know as much.
On the 8K race course (5 miles), there was one water stop. One. It was at mile two. Then you loop around and you hit it again at mile three (when others are hitting it in the opposite direction). You go out, in heat, for 2 miles and come back in, in heat, for 2 miles without a sip of water. Extreme heat advisory. Somebody's asking for some illnesses.
And so I was. I did it. I threw up twice after the race, a race I ran at about 11-minute-miles when I am usually about an 8 minute-miler (obviously I was not pushin' it; I physically couldn't--although, when I rehydrated on the trail it did give me a short push). My time was wretched so that couldn't have been a factor. Now, keep in mind that I'm not a regurgitator. The last time I threw up was....once in Denver where I felt sick 75-80% of the time for a year....and before that I think I was about 10.
Well then, you might think I did a poor pre-race job of hydrating myself. But you'd be wrong. I drank water all night (just ask my sister with whom I share a bathroom). Hit the bathroom twice before heading to the race and another 3 times at the race location before the whistle blew to kick it off.
Twice. I, who am in decent shape though I've definitely been in better, felt horribly throughout the whole thing (with the time to prove it) and it's not even my fault. Well done, Montrail. You allowed the perfect conditions for heatstroke to reign over your race.
I did enjoy one aspect. My favorite part of the race was the band. Pretty decent band with some kickin' covers. And there they were, for all to hear, 150 yards past the finish line in a nearly empty parking lot.
If you ever plan to run Montrail's Pasadena Run Like a Girl 8K race, don't. If you neglect this stellar advice, walk it---but only so you can witness the stupidity that is its directors' planning a pace where you'll be sure not to miss a thing.
2 comments:
As your mom, I do not like the fact that you got sick because of unsafe practices at an organized event! My suggestion would be to send a letter/email to the race organizers. Hopefully, by making them aware of your displeasure and of their ignorance, they will remedy the situation for the future!
Love you!
oh man are our moms related...
anyway, a few things...
1. i've always been told that you need to start hydrated 3-4 days before your physical exertion for it to be effective.
and 2. we are polar opposites.... i puke probably 60% of the time i run. it's not that i'm out of shape--- my stomach just likes to puke when i run it's weird...
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