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In August we went to Hawaii. Yay!!! We had an opportunity and took it. We heard that water shoes are mandatory due to sea urchins. We got those. For me, we got garbage ones. For Elizabeth, we got ones with very thick soles. First morning there, after a run together, we went into the water. This was a mistake...
No one told us that going in at low tide is NOT a good idea. We saw the sea urchins but thought nothing of them. We saw the allegdly razor sharp coral. It was all good. We were in a little cove. Then a big wave came.
I was pushed onto a corral. No biggie. Another wave had us scrambling to get back onto shore. I felt burning in my finger. Not sure why. Elizabeth said her foot hurt. Hm...
We got back onto land to survey the damage. I had a chunk missing from my finger. Razor sharp is right. Nothing to stitch back. It was gone. I also had about 11 barbs or so in my other finger. I didn't even realize I touched a sea urchin. We took Elizabeth's shoe off and she had one embedded in her foot. Wonderful.
We had our damaged appendages in Vinegar to help break them up. I was able to rip one barb out but the others had to stay and eventually to be expelled. Elizabeth's foot didn't fare too well. It got in there deep. She reported pain while wearing the water shoe. I found there was stlil a barb in there. I got it out, put it on my finger nail and took a picture using my nail for comparison.
A few weeks after we got back to NYC, she went to a foot doctor and asked him to cut her open. He did. They think they got all of it, but she also had 2 stitchs. No more showers... Only bathtubs with her foot sticking out. Walking hurt but after the removal was getting better. Bottom line, she was improving but lost a LOT of training time. Finally at the start of October, she started running again albeit very convservatily.
A week before and she was stlil going to do it. Now, this race is flat and quite scenic around the lake but it had a 3:15 cutoff. Previous races she finished, she did in 2:20ish. This time, it would be close...
A week out and we went to spectate at a race. Matet was doing her 100th Marathon at the 60th birthday run. She took the opportunity to run 7 miles.
A few days before her race, we talked and she kept asking me what I will do during the race and I said, I wil spectate. She was worried, I would be bored. Nada. Weather was supposed to be beautiful. I decided to sign up. What the hell, right?
The day before, I ran 4 miles. It was gorgeous. And then the weather gods made a funny. The weather for Sunday's race was going to be 50 degrees and we would "possibly" miss the rain... Possibly...
Saturday I worked Job 2 and then later job 3. I also got a text from Russian Mike. "You're not gonna believe me but both cars are out. Any chance for a ride?".
oSunday morning, picked up Mike and drove to race site. Cold but light drizzle. Ok I guess.
I saw a coyote getting into the parking lot. Stomach ok-ish I think. I should mention that I am stil injured even tho foot is getting better. Her stuff was delivered in the mail since she registered so early. Our stuff, since we signed up so late (he signed up on Friday while I signed up on Thursday), had to be picked up.
The course was an out an back for a total of 1.3 miles going counter clock wise followed by 4 clockwise loops each 2.97 miles long. Going to the car, I told Mike that this wind in our face sucks and thankfully we would only feel it on the out of the out and back. I was not wrong.
Got ready and started. I ran with Mike for the first 5 miles or so. His plan was to finish sub 2 but later during the race, he told someone that he plans on sub 1:50. At mile 5 or so, he took off. I couldn't/wouldn't stay with him. It was fine. I've done this loop before.
The rain started. Wasn't too too bad. On and off. Sometimes just drizzle. Sometimes a quick dump of water.
I met and ran with Daniel Bendavid and Alex Flax for the 3rd loop and then with Alex for most of the 4th loop until I was done and said bye.
I finished and had 3 freshly made pancakes with a ton of whipped cream and talked to Coach Maria when the rain really started coming down. Elizabeth is still out there... I get a call from Russian Mike. I just missed Elizabeth a few minutes ago. What?!? It's pouring by the way.
Not sure what to do... Was he right? Do I chase in the rain? What if he was wrong? Finally after a litle procrastinating, I took the hit and in the rain, left counter-clockwise to try to meet her. I finally do. She made a friend (couldn't be prouder here) and ran with this woman for 3.5 loops. The woman was a little faster than Elizabeth but she kept up. When the woman couldn't anymore, she went to a run/walk but her walk and run was too fast for Elizabeth and so she let her go. That's ok tho. I'm here.
I caught up with her and brought her in. About 1/4 before the finish, a man past us but she wasn't DFL... She continueed and there were 3 people still behind her. She was worried about the 3:15 cutoff and yet finished in 2:56:06 in a downpour and since she got hot during the race, she shed her jacket and ran in the freezing rain in a t-shirt. While I was huddling again under the tent, she was busy "cooling down" by walking in the rain. Oy!!!
Got her some pancakes and went to the car. Mike had already changed clothes while Elizabeth and I, just used a towel to sit on. She used the extra towel to try to get warm.
By the way... I was on my 2nd loop I think when I heard "lead runner coming through on your left". A cyclist was clearing the road. A minute or so after him, this tall white guy, came through. He was running... Seemed like I was crawling. I was expecting 2nd overall a few seconds later but it was a good few minutes later. Second place came in almost 8 minutes behind first. Winning time was 1:10:23. Let that sink in... He was doing the 2.97 mile loop in approx 15 min or so. That means he was at least a mile in front of 2nd place... Wow!
Fun fact I learned at this race: I spoke to the overall winner and asked him for his time. He said, "70:23" which I didn't understand. Seeing my confused look, he then said, "1:10:23". Apparently when you're that fat, you convert everything into minutes and don't say the hours. Sheesh!
After the race, I felt good while Elizabeth was a little sore. Since I hung out and then went to her in the rain and then drove home without changing clothes, I did pay the price tho.
Damage:
The good news, if one was an optimist? Clearly my anti-chafe routine works. How do I know this? Because race morning, I forgot all my stuff at home and didn't apply anything. I haven't been this chafed in a while and I am convinced that if I had followed my routine, all that damage would NOT have occured.
