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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Bayshore Marathon Part 2

The temperature was in the high 50's and the sky was mostly overcast. It was ideal weather for a marathon. Yet, I was a bit cold for most of the race. I wore shorts, a short sleeved running shirt, running underpants, running socks, a running cap, and my running shoes. Basically, I wore no cotton; only moisture-wicking synthetic materials. However, there was a slight breeze coming off Lake Michigan. That breeze kept me slightly chilled.

In addition to the clothes, I wore a Spibelt in which I put my Shot Bloks and a cell phone. When I do a long run, I wear a water belt. I have worn both together. I decided against the water belt since there was going to be water tables every 1.5 miles. When the race started, I discovered that the water belt stabilized the Spibelt. The Spibelt was bouncing like crazy. I couldn't run 26.2 miles with that bouncing around, not mention what sort of chaffing it might cause. I took the cell phone out and shoved it in the pocket in my shorts. That did the trick.

I also wore a Road ID on one wrist and a Garmin on my other. I had the heart rate monitor around my chest. Finally, I had bandages over my nipples. Early in my running endeavors, I discovered that I get sore nipples when running. The shirt rubbing against them does bad things. I found little circular bandages at Walmart that are perfect for this. I know I am not the only runner with this problem. My wife said she saw a man come across the finish line with a blood stained shirt. It was obvious that the blood was coming from his nipples. On the other hand, I had no problem in that area at all.

After the marathon began, I resolved not to look at my pace (which my Garmin gives me). In fact, I only looked at my distance in order to determine how close I was to a water station. Everything went smoothly. The first mile came and went quickly. The second mile went by just a fast. It was interesting to look at all the different people. I like seeing what they are wearing. I like to observe their running form. I like to read their shirts. It's just a lot of fun to be out there with a bunch of people undertaking the same task, most of whom are competing with no one except themselves.

After the third mile, I began to feel something. It's a feeling I have had on runs before; particularly my longer runs. I thought I learned how to prevent this. The feeling was a slightly annoying pressure in my bladder. I tried to tell myself that it was just my imagination. Maybe I was hyper-sensitive. There was probably like a half ounce in there and that would be hardly worth stopping to pee.

There were porta-potties at every water station. Some runners couldn't wait or didn't want to stand in line. You would see them run off into the woods. There was one girl who was so desperate that she ran into the woods, but not out of view. She squatted, pulled her shorts down, and everyone who passed by could see her. I didn't do that. I passed the potties at mile 4.5. I decided to stop at 6, but it was occupied with at least 2 people in line. I continued even though the pressure had mounted with each mile.

By now, each step was jostling my bladder. It was unbearable. I refused to run some unknown distance off the road in order to find some place to pee. The potties at 7.5 miles had a line as well, so I kept going. Now, I was thinking that I needed to run off at the next patch of woods I found. There were none. It was a residential area. On our left were homes. On the right was the bay with beaches and docks. There was a 10 to 20 foot drop off from the road down to the beach. There were several wooden stairs along the way so that people could get to their beach. Suddenly, I noticed a porta-potty on the first landing of a set of stairs going down to the beach. Over the stairs was a sign that said, "Private Beach. No Trespassing."

I ignored the sign and bounded down to the potty. It wasn't locked, and it wasn't occupied. I peed for over a minute. Yes, I did time it.

The race seemed so much better after my pit stop. I forgot to mention that even though I had to pee, I took water at every water station. I still needed to keep hydrated even if my bladder was full.

Having relieved myself, I was better able to focus on keeping an even pace and better able to observe the other runners. I learned a lot about myself on that course...

To be continued.

Living Fit Is My #1 Job!

21 comments:

antgirl said...

Not being a runner, I never would have thought of the chafing issues.

Sayre said...

I have wondered about the peeing issue... Since you have to be hydrated (to the point of sloshing according to some books), how in the world do you manage a run that long and taking in more water as you go?

Too bad there isn't some chip in something that subtracts the time you stand in line and the time you pee from the total race time...

Unknown said...

half man, I gotta say that I've been reading your blog for the past couple weeks and it inspired me.

I've started my own weight loss blog, which I never really meant to be a blog. Well whatever I hope I can lose some weight and I'll be not running but at least walking for a bit.

If anyone wants to follow my progress, they can check out http://yeswellfine.wordpress.com.

I am planning to post pictures of me nude once a week, so I guess I should warn you about that. But I think anyone who wants to follow along or provide tips should check it out. Comments and suggestions are warmly welcomed!

cmae said...

I can not wait until your next update!!

Cyber Rainbow said...

chafing sometimes happens if something is ill fitting.

kudos for do the hard work of all that running

40 Something said...

sounds like quite an experience, glad you fond a pottie :)

Pandora Woman said...

Every time I see your photographs, read your blog, I nudge a millimeter closer to making a decision to do do the running thing myself too.

BUT not yet, my doctor would have a fit. But I will keep reading your blog. I am sure in time the decision WILL be taken.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Tracy said...

LMAO!!!

I thought marathon runners just peed on themselves and went along with it...

Brad Clements said...

Looking forward to your next update. WAY TO GO is all I can SAY... YOU ARE the man...

Fat[free]Me said...

Have you recovered now? Hope you haven't consigned the shoes to the dustbin, never to see the light of day again, lol!

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Annie said...

haha when you gotta go, you gotta go! I'm glad that the pit stop revived you :). I wish I had the drive to complete something like a marathon. Right now I'm just struggling to eat right. I actually work with Del Monte, and we've come out with these pre-peeled fruit bowls and jars of natural fruit salads that are pretty good! They're easy for an up and go snack and if you like to make your own meals, the website has some great recipes to try out at home! Here's the link if anyone is interested, and you can get some coupons there too :)

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Jane said...

I am a race lover, I used to participate in racing expedition almost all the times... this is my passion and I love to know the other people as well interested in these activities.. it keeps you strong, healthy and fit.

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Chris D said...

running has helped me lose weight!

Fit Human said...

These are important keys to weight loss.

Gamefly said...

I can lose some weight and I'll be not running but at least walking for a bit.
Gamefly

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