Rocky Raccoon 50k

Just 3 weeks after having my butt kicked by the Arkansas Traveller I decided that the injuries had healed and I could just go out and do an easy 5:10 50k. Right, I get the dumb ass award for this one. Around the 5 mile mark I felt my right calf muscle tear, (again) and instead of taking it easy or just taking a short cut and calling it quits early, I kept going. I kept thinking it would just go away. About mile 11 I felt what ever it was that I pulled behind my left knee come back and I still kept going. Now at this time I had already decided that I would take the DNF after the first 25k loop and instead of taking it easy, I decided to make sure I hit the 2:30 mark. Congratulations to Mr. Dumb Ass, 2:34, a torn calf muscle and now I have to drop Sunmart and Bandera to make sure I heal up in time for Rocky Raccoon 100.

Do they sell extra brains on ebay?

Extra? How about just "some"? ;-)

You are obviously a high achiever, because they are the only people I know who could describe a "5:10 50k" as easy. But dirtrunner, you really, really, REALLY need to take care of yourself and listen to what your body is saying to you. Pushing on, with the kind of symptoms you have been/are experiencing is going to take it's toll on the number of years you can participate in this sport.

I hope you've seen a good sports doctor who was able to give you alternative forms of excercise that will help you recover as speedily as possible? Please take care of yourself. There are not enough ultra-runners as it is, and you are endangering our plan to take over the world. >:-)

Dirtrunner
That is hilarious!! Thank you for making me laugh! I hope you feel better soon and are running injury free!

I'm not sure if this makes you feel better, but you're not the only one with that dumb ass attitude. I don't know how many times I went out for a run when I knew it should just be an easy short run, just to change my mind in mid course (against my own better judgment) and add a few more miles. Of course, I also paid the price. I think that's the kind of stupidity that makes men men.

I've done something like that so many times. I don't make a habit of going longer than planned, but I do go harder than planned, or sooner than I ought. Can't say as I've actually torn anything, but I've certainly run to regret it. If it's bad judgment you showed, just know that you are hardly the sole practitioner.

Hope you heal quickly.

Ditto, ditto, ditto. My brother--the cross-training triathlete--has scolded me countless times when I have run but should have taken time off or done a little cross training. But I'm a man, and I'm a runner, so consider me doubly stupid. This is a typical conversation between me and my Running Id:

Me: "I should really take today off since I did a 35-miler yesterday."
Id: "But it's so gorgeous outside. What's a 10 or 15 miler going to do to you? It'll feel so nice to get out on the trails today!"
Me: "Hmmm...yeah, I hate to swim as it is, so why not go out for a little jaunt? I'll take tomorrow off."

Problem is, I never take tomorrow off. And I'm paying the price--5 weeks of PT and no running for 6 weeks now. I hope to be back soon.

Cross training? What's this thing you mention? This...cross training?

Aaaaah. I get it. That dastardly Y chromosome is to blame. No wonder I'd rather sip champagne than "go a little harder than planned."

And BTW, that's how I prefer my toast: just before a glass of champagne ;-)

You're interrupting very important Man Talk with this Girly Champagne Stuff, you know.

<scratches, adjusts self, walks off in a very manly sort of way, pondering which of The Godfather movies really was the best.>

The first one was the best one. See, I don't have the Y chromosome that interferes with making such obvious determinations.

See there's the difference between men and women. It's the argument over WHY one is better than two (or three), that makes the thing. It's that war by proxy thing.

Oh for Pete's sake.. don't get me all steamed over that lovely tendency of yours again. I'm in a good mood and I want to keep it that way.

I surrender. ;-)

Lucky for you. I still can't believe you called me a proxy.

I didn't call you a proxy. I called the argument over the movie a proxy.

I know that. I'm just yanking your chain, big guy.

Really, could I be any dumber? I'm so embarassed.

I think that's the reason why ultrarunning is one of the endurance sports where women do just as well as men. Men are probably sidelined with injuries half the time, while women know how to pace themselves and their training effort.