Looking back on the past year, there have been highlights and some tough times. I guess it goes with the saying, “These are the best of times; these are the worst of times.”
Yet, even the tough times teach us something, if we really look at all the components of what we felt were not to our liking. That is why they are called experiences. Taking something good out of what at the time may seem bad is what helps make up the fiber of who we are, and furthermore, who we are capable of becoming. For me, running and racing have helped me to develop into the person I want to be. Certainly others influence us, but ultimately it is what we decide is right and wrong for us, how we handle adversity, how we treat others and the friends we choose that will determine our being.
As I write this there is a sign above me, made by a student at Soochow University in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. It is a Sunday morning and I should be out there finishing a 24-hour race. The female student was assigned by her English teacher along with a male counterpart to translate for me and to act as my crew during the Soochow University International Ultra-marathon 24-hour race.
Below the picture is a folder, much like you would find in a hotel listing all the features and amenities. On the cover it says, “Everyone complains about his memory, but nobody complains about his judgment.”
Unfortunately, I had heat related problems, including nausea and cramping and eventually required three intravenous solutions to stabilize me. It is never easy to say when you have had enough, but lying there with a bag of fluid dripping its contents into your arm humbles a person rather quickly. Three young ladies whom I had met in Tainan in 2003 during the 100Km World Championships, who were translators at that event, and eventually one became my pen pal, also were there to help me. As I was flat on my back with the drip steadily emptying into my blood stream, I became very cold. I was covered with two heavy quilts, but my hands were freezing.
I mentioned to the doctor my hands were cold and he talked to the girls. Suddenly I had two girls on each side of me holding my hands and telling me not to worry that they would take care of me. I realized then that I had chosen my friends well. As they walked me back to my apartment in the faculty housing complex, Brooke pulled out the sign that had been the focus of fun as I completed lap after lap on the track. The group all began to chant Run, Roy, Run and all I could say as we climbed the steep hill ahead was, “Even Forrest Gump knew when to stop!” Headed into the race I felt very well prepared. I chose Wigwam’s Ironman Triathlete Pro Quarter to wear during the race. I had worn these socks for the past 8 races I had completed, 7 marathons and one 50-mile event over a 9-week span. The 50-miler was my 150th ultramarathon and the marathon I ran 2 weeks after my 150th ultra was my 100th marathon finish.
All the preparations are useless if a factor that is beyond your control is placed into the mix. In this case it was the weather. Leaving Milwaukee’s Mitchell International, after several flight delays, cancellations and teeth grinding because of a snowstorm and landing the next day, to summer-like weather, placed havoc on my plan. The plan was to go out easy and go after several age 60-64 track American Records. Those ARs, by my estimation were all attainable at one race. Getting invited only 5 weeks prior fit into my training schedule, as I was planning on racing a 24-hour road run 2 weeks later than this one.
However, following the morning rain the sun finally poked through the clouds and the temperatures soared and my lap times diminished. When the sun finally set, I was behind schedule and picked up the pace. The first record was for 100-kilometers. I had run under 9 hours for the distance not long before, so the 10:35:37 seemed reachable without too much effort, which would then allow me to go after the 12-hour, 100-mile, 200-K and 24-hour.
Looking back, it was a mistake to go for the 100-K record, as I knew it would be very close and I would have to exert too much effort to make up for time lost during the heat of the day. I weighed the option of foregoing the first record on the list, but felt it was worth the risk. I missed it. As I hit the line, the clock above showed 10:35:40, but I still had a lap to go.
There will be other races, there will be more records for me to break, but what I learned from the experience was not to be greedy, take one record at a time. Secondly, and the more important experience, was to be sure no matter what I do, surround myself with great friends.
See you in a few miles….roy