My race was a series of unfortunate events. I had a friend (much stronger runner) come out and join me. He neglected to mention he was nursing a hamstring injury. Around mile 22ish he asked if we could stop and walk. I didn't know he meant the rest of the way. I was really upset but kept it to myself.
My friend took about 25 min each loop to tend to his feet. We were going so much slower than expected that I really was exceptionally upset. (Understatement). At 5:30ish the sun went down and we were at the station loading up on food. I had heard a participant say she lost her glasses so I went over to ask where on the trail she might thing they were. I got back and couldn't find my partner. So I figured he was in the rest room. Nope. He took back off on the trail. 90 min later he shows back up. side note: I'm a big chicken and really don't like being on a trail in the pitch black alone. I was more upset then I've ever been in years. Since there was 32 hours to do this race in I had heard some 100K folks say they were going to a hotel room, catching some zzzzs and returning the next morning. My chance of 100 mile was shot. My attitude was in the crapper and I really didn't feel like being with my friend any longer. Actually I would be very embarrassed if I shared my exact thoughts at that moment as there would be more swear words than not.
Next day I get back to the race and I have not motivation to even finish. The RD and my friend literal force me back on the trail and I finish the last 28 miles with my friend - walking. I believe my finish time for a 100k was 31:55 ish. What a stinky finish. That looks like a 5K finish time not a 100K finish time.
Later I did find out that my friend ripped off his toenail early on in the race. Honestly, I wish he would have said to go on without him or drop out. I really like my buddy and we've been really good friends for over 6 years. That said, (being totally selfish) he was a total anchor this race. I wasn't really thinking I could finish up a whole 100 miles but I did think it was possible to reach the 75 mile mark. That was my real goal. Mostly I'm disappointed on how this turned out. I've been waiting for this weekend for 3 years and it was awful....really awful. Dang.
Well, on the plus side, it was a PR. :) I think it will be a very easy PR to beat when I finally get the urge to do this once again....this time alone. My friend can be invited to be my crew if he'd like but no more. :)
On a different note, I got to watch and run a few miles with a 100 miler participant in his last 3 miles. Man, he looked like crap! I guess that is what I would have looked like also. Well the good news is that there is always next year!
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