Sunmart Endurance Trail Run

I really wanted to do Sunmart last year, in 2006. I thought it would be great to do my first 50K when I was 50 years old, but unfortunately, an injury kept me from running it. I went there as an observer and in support of my wife Jennifer, and some our friends. It was a very cold day, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle standing out there in the cold all day. But, as it turns out, I had a great time watching the race as well as talking with other spectators. One thing about Sunmart is that it’s almost as great a race to watch as it is to run.

Well, back to Sunmart 2007. I was just coming off of a DNF at the Rockledge Rumble 50K up in Grapevine, TX, so that was in the back of my mind. The weather this year was much warmer than last year, and warmer than most of us would have liked. Some people, like Jennifer, do ok in the warmer weather but I am not one of them. But, I was not going to worry about it too much, because I had waited too long for this day, and there was nothing I could do about it anyway. Once thing I would learn is you can take in too much salt. Ideally it's best to experiment with your supplements before your target race, but, I have yet been able to figure out what works best for me. I started out nice and conservative, with friends Anna, Charles. We started out near the back of the pack and kept a pretty steady pace for the first few hours.

I had planned on doing 16 minute miles for the first 18 miles or so. We were a few minutes ahead of schedule but since this was such a conservative speed I thought we would be good. Anna and I pulled a head a little and by the time we got back to the start area, which was approximately 18 & ½ miles, I thought I could pick up the pace a little. At that point, I had been taking Thermal Tabs, Endurolyte capsules, and was taking in extra salt in from snacks at the aid stations. I really loved the boiled potatoes with salt.

I went out on my own for the last loop and just a few miles into it I realized that I was not feeling great. At one point, on this incredibly boring and what seemed like amazingly long out and back section, (it was actually only 4 miles) I started feeling really nauseous. Then, I realized that I had stopped sweating, and I knew that couldn't be good. I think I was in the beginning stages of heat exhaustion. At that point Anna had caught up with me and was trying to help me out. I told her I would probably be stopping at the next aid station, and for her to go ahead. When I finally got to the station, there was Anna, standing there, directing the medic over to me, and telling him about my symptoms. She had waited there until I got in, to make sure I was alright, before she continued on her run. I was really touched that she waited there until I came in knowing that she still had a long way to go to the finish.

The medics sat me down and took my vital signs and gave me something to drink. They suggested that I not continue on, and they would give me a ride in. The thought of not finishing was not setting well with me, but at this point I didn't know what else to do. I sat there for about 15 to 20 minutes talking to a guy who was running the 50 miles and was also having heat related issues. Then I heard someone from the aid station tell another runner that they only had 7 miles to go to the finish and I thought that doesn't sound too far. I was thinking it was more like 9 miles (not really a whole lot of difference at that point). Finally, I stood up, and told the medics that I was feeling a little better, and was going to start walking towards the finish. They again suggested that I stop and let them take me in, but I decided to go on. I even heard one of the medics say to the other one that they would ride their 4 wheeler to the next aid station to wait for me because they didn't think I would make it. I started walking, and before long, I was feeling better. The more I walked the better I felt, and I even started sweating again. Two miles down the trail, at the next aid station, I stopped for more water. I still could not eat anything, but at least I could take in water, which was more than I could do a little while before. I waved to the female medic who was waiting for me, and left out feeling much better.

Before long I started running intervals again. I ran for a little over an hour until I made it to the finish line. When I got near the end, it was an amazing sight. For those of you that have run Sunmart before, you will know what I am talking about. You run along in the woods for most of the route, and have a short maybe 1/4 mile stretch coming to the finish line where people are lined up in tents, under tarps, and in lawn chairs., Some are resting after their runs, while others are watching family and friends run. All I remember is everybody cheering as I was running in. Then when I got to where I had set up the tent, my group of friends, Anna, Marilyn, Becky, David and Mayra were all standing and cheering for me. It was the most emotional finish of any run I have completed. It just doesn't get any better than that.

So, thanks again to all of you that have wished us well, and a special thanks to Anna, who got me the help when I needed it the most, and to Becky, Marilyn, Anna, and David & Mayra for cheering me on at the finish. You make all this crazyness worth while.