One bad apple . . .

Forgive me for this post.  I shouldn't write anything when I'm mad.

As many of you may know, this last weekend Cam Kelly and I hosted the Medoc Meltdown 50k . . . a Fat Ass run around Medoc Mountain State Park.  We had 61 sign up and 51 showed up to run . . . our biggest group yet.

Cam and I intentionally try to encourage everyone to come out and run.  You don't have to try the full 50k.  The shortest loop is about 3.3 miles and if that's all someone want to run . . . hey . . . we're happy and glad they chose to come out and spend some time with us!  We get several folks every year that are trying trail running for the very first time!  I love it!

For simplification sake we posted the Medoc Meltdown results on the Rocky Mount Endurance Club (RMEC) web site.  We did this for two reasons . . . 1) next year the Meltdown will be hosted by RMEC and 2) it may bring a few new people to the RMEC club site.

Now, don't get me wrong . . . the Meltdown is a 50k ultra event and I hope more and more folks choose to try the longer distance.  I love ultrarunning and I love ultra runners!  But we're happy to have any runner or walker show up.  And we'll stay until the last person finishes . . . no time cut-off.

As a group, ultra runners are the most supportive, encouraging folks I've ever been around.  And there is inspiration surrounding each and every person.  Each runner has their own stories of their own challenges and frustrations.  These stories are shared as inspirations to everyone else.  NEVER have I been made to feel like a second-class runner because I'm so slow.  Ultra runners do nothing but encourage and celebrate my little accomplishments with me. Never "look down their noses" at my slow times.

Guys like Rick Grey.  Rick has finished more 100 mile runs then I have ultras!  And he is always up near the front of the pack!  But Rick is there at the finish of every event, cheering finishers . . . until the last one comes in.  And at Boogie this year he even hung with me to try and help!  That's right, Rick . . . walking with me at the end of the line!  Encouraging every step of the way!

Or Laura MacLean.  Laura wins races but then stays to cheer too!  And unless you ask Laura you'll never know she won the frickin' race!  That's just the way she is!  Awesome person!

So maybe you can understand my frustration with a single 'bad apple' that has to make condescending remarks on the RMEC site about the club and runners that haven't tried an ultra.  Why on earth would someone want to make comments like that?  I just don't understand.

Most ultra runners would be telling folks "You can run an ultra if you try!  It's not really as hard as it sounds!I''ll help you!"

NOT belittling folks who run less then ultra distances.

There . . . I feel a little better . . . .

Another 'whinning' blog . . . I suggest NOT reading this. Even I'm bored.

I'm a frickin' moron!  Actually . .  a 'hypochondriac moron' to be exact!

Every day it's something else!  A few common threads over time but basically I'm a mental train-wreck!

Monday - felt good and had a fun day running; 96°
Tuesday - another good day running; 98°
Wednesday - Took the day as a rest day; 100°
Thursday - suffered from heat and a hip that started hurting again; 95°; hip hurt all day and night.
Friday - okay run; hip was fine . . . zero pain; 90°  But post run, my hip is starting to hurt again.  But not bad.

So I decided to do two Medoc laps (about 17 miles) Saturday morning.  As I left the house it started to rain!  PERFECT day!  Nice and cool!  I totally love running in the rain!

I planned to meet 9 runners from Richmond, VA who were coming to the Medoc Trail Marathon this fall and wanted to check out Medoc trails.  We met at the picnic shelter and at about 8:15 we headed out.  And my hip felt great!

These guys and gals were much faster then me and after about 1 1/2 miles they went on, leaving me to poke along, splashing in the puddles!  I did take a saw with me and did a little trail work along the way.  But after passing the graveyard near Firetower, the hip started complaining.  And by the time I got to the creek, it was just plain hurting!

Every time I walked, the horseflies attacked!  And they were vicious!  Never seen them this bad.  Meltdown folks are going to love them!!

Coming back towards the shelter on Discover Loop, I saw a huge limb hanging in the trees.  When I pulled it down it totally blocked the trail so I had to saw it into parts to clear the trail.  All the while the horseflies were having a feast on me!  Took 10-15 minutes to clear everything.

Then, about 1/4 mile later there was another tree down, totally blocking the trail! Just my luck!  Another 20 minutes for the horseflies to have their way with me!

Finally I got back to the picnic shelter and I knew I was done!  Damn hip was killing me,

Back at the house and it's getting worse and worse.  And I really can't pinpoint where it hurts.  It just hurts!  Almost makes me nauseous.
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Okay . . . it's a few hours and a second dose of ibuprofen later . . . the pain has eased.  And I'm walking with just a little limp!

We'll see how she feels in the morning.  If I have any hope of some marathons / ultras this fall I need at least 15 miles this weekend.  Maybe the road will be easier then the trail.  Don't worry . . . I'll do loops around the neighborhood assuming that I feel like trying it at all.
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Now it's Sunday morning.  And it's weird - almost no hip pain this morning!!!  Yesterday I was suffering . . . couldn't move without pain.  Now, one day later, I'm virtually pain free.

For the most part this is GREAT!  Pain gone!  But from another perspective it's not.  No way I can go to see a doctor when my hip isn't hurting.  I would feel like a fool (well . . . maybe even more like a fool then I normally feel!)

But even with the pain relief I don't think I'll run today.