Just a brief post here, to report an abbreviated attempt at the Chuckanut 50k last Saturday. This was pretty close to a planned DNF, although I left the door open for feeling good and going on. My ankle was still hurting from rolling it a few weeks back, and then something really disagreeable happened in or around my hip about a week before, when out on a lunch run. If I had to guess, I think it was some sort of hip flexor sprain, which might have been less likely if I did more or some core work, as the case may be. I've been slipping a little bit in my running these past couple months, due to weather, other commitments, and on some days, age.
Anyway, I went ahead and toed the line, going with the early start with maybe 50 other early risers. It was a monsoon driving up to Bellingham, and I got soaked walking to the start line. Even with gloves and an OR sombrero, I felt like a wet cat. I started out on a jog up the Interurban, but my legs weren't into it. Blah, they felt blah. So I walked some. And then some more. Jogged a bit. and then walked some more. And this was the flats.
At Aid Station 1, I saw Dean, Monica and others, and I started speculating about pulling out. Someone suggested I keep going, at least to Aid Station 2, and since the rain had stopped, that sounded good. I walked, mostly, and stood to the side as the head of the pack and then the front vanguard of the herd passed me. That was kind of cool, to watch the really fast folks zip up the Fragrance lake trail, working, but not bent.
More people passed me on Two Dollar Bill ridge. I recognized a few more faces, although most were new to me. I was ok in spirit; just non-cooperative legs. I walked the final hill there out with my friend Sean from DC, who had caught up, and called it a day.
Then I walked back to the start--another five or so miles.
It might've been my last Chuckanut. I'll see. I get motivated to sign up in December, but then the winter months suck my training away. The ability to run up the hill, and the desire, are not quite what they once were. I find I'm more content to find quiet, flat trails and roads, where my ankle is less likely to roll. I'm still good with distance though--I like being out for a while.
Thanks to Krissy, Kevin, and all the other volunteers for making this a top notch backyard event for me and everyone else.
3 comments:
Sorry about the DNF Scott. Gotta be a first for you there. Not the biggest deal in the grand scheme of things. Hope your ankle gets better soon. I couldn't even imagine trying to drag my ass up Chinscraper right now. Look forward to a good hiking season hopefully. What about the Hamster Endurance Runs at Padden? Do you run those?
Thanks Tim! I probably have more DNSs than DNFs. I went in to this one thinking I'd rather DNF than DNS, and at least get a few miles in and see what the body says. I've been thinking a little bit about the Hamster runs--I know Lake Padden well, of course. I probably should give it more thought now. That weekend in August is always prime time to do things, which gives me a bit of hesitation for planning months ahead.
Eloquently attempted and eloquently written Scottie. Hope the ankle (and the hip) improve and hope to meander some Skagit valley paths with you in the near future. Seth.
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