Carl Schneider – NCR Trail Marathon – Saturday, November 25, 2017

Training went especially well. Created and followed a plan with assistance of Mark Yost. Many Yass0 800s, intervals and long runs of 16, 18, 20, 1/2 Marathon, 14/10, 13, then 10. Felt fine Thanksgiving week, but my wife got sick Monday night. Friday night, I got the 12 hour stomach bug my wife had. I went to bed at 10PM and woke up at midnight feeling like death (hunched on the toilet hugging a pillow wrapped in a towel with cold sweats and too weak to stand). Decided to try to race anyway, was a couple/several of pounds light. New doctor recommended metatarsal support orthotics (for Neuroma in right foot and flat feet) in new Huka Clifton3 shoes. Tri jersey w/2 pockets, Adidas Running shorts w/2 pockets, light 2XU Running Jacket w/1 pocket, light gloves and thin running cap. Bagel w/honey, coffee and Nuun for breakfast/pre-race. Took 1 GU before the start, then 6 while running. Tried to use my 5 oz water bottle, but couldn't pour cups into it while running. Decided just to drink cups as offered, but that was obviously a bad idea. Training I drink about 10 oz every 5 miles, dixie cups every 3 miles is not enough. Took pickle juice about mile 16, it seemed to have no effect. Right foot neuroma caused numbness again for most of the run. I was glad to not have blisters forming from the orthotics, but they didn't seem to help much either. Started to cramp on the way back, maybe 10 miles to go. Left calf, then right, then quads and finally my left foot. Had to walk/run at mile 20. At a road crossing, some volunteers had disposable 12 oz water bottles, after I drank it was able to slog in at a sub 10:00 pace. The course has been improved, finishing on the trail, which I was so grateful for. Was hoping to qualify for Boston (3:40) with a couple of minutes to spare (required to actually get in) but it was not meant to be. Too bad, weather was perfect. Lessons learned: Training plan was on point (Yasso 800s, intervals, hills, progressive long runs, 50/40/30 taper). I should have drank Nuun at midnight after I knew I was light. I need to drink more than the Dixie cups offered on trail marathons. I also might need an operation to remove the neuroma in my foot, but I'll try B&A in the spring before deciding. I really don't want to take months off.