#antioxidative

Despite a rather short night – approximately four hours of sleep – I did not feel tired. As before every marathon, I took three small packages of my antioxidative dietary supplement, Immun’Âge® a few minutes before my breakfast. I let this fermented papaya powder melt under my tongue before swallowing it. It really helps me stay alert during my run. It also helps me fight the physiological stress that is generated by a marathon. At 5:15 a.m. I drove ten minutes to take the shuttle bus to the location of the starting area in Dyersville, IA, half hour away. There were a lot of people there. I picked up my runner’s packet and bib, left my bag at the gear check and took a few pictures. I heard “Hey, Crazy Dave! What are you doing here?” and recognized the helpful runners that took me to the start of the Casper marathon in Wyoming! It was really cool to see them again and chat.  After a pre-run meeting at 6:45, followed by the national anthem performed by a young singer, the run started at 7 a.m. sharp.

The Run 4 Troops marathon is organized by the military and ran in support of the local troops and their families. We ran the scenic and rustic Heritage Trail, a wide and flat course that is perfect for running. The weather was beautiful but very hot temperatures were forecasted.  I started at a 9.40 mile per minute pace that I tried to keep as long as possible. We were running with a tailwind that was cold but welcome as the sun started to shine. There were a few stretches of direct sun exposure but about 70% of the trail was shaded by trees.

The first drink station consisted of a cooler full of water bottles. As the bottles were quite big, I did not take any.  The second drink station also offered only water and I hoped to find electrolyte drinks at the next stations. This type of sport drinks help my running, especially in such heat.

I reached km 5 in 28 minutes still without finding anything but water at the drink stations. I stopped an organization cart asking them for some Powerade. They handed me a little Powerade bottle from a cooler while telling me I would find more of it at km 10. It was kind of far, I thought. It felt like boot camp conditions!

We ran by the movie site of “Field of Dreams” with Kevin Costner that is actually a huge corn field!

I reached km 10 in 59 minutes where I finally got some Gatorade. I filled out my bottle thinking I might not get too much fuel at the next drink stations.

The course was a straight stretch through lovely and varied scenery. We crossed corn fields, ran by farm houses and over rivers. A very pleasant run indeed, but the temperature was constantly rising, and the second part of the marathon promised to be difficult.

I reached km 15 in 1:30. There were very few supporters on the course. However, the supporters at the drink stations located at the crossings with small roads did a great job encouraging us.

I reached km 20 in 2:00 and the half marathon in 2:08: my pace was rather regular despite the heat. From km 22 on, the heat hardened the course surface and many runners started walking: so did I.

From km 23 on, I lost energy:  the heat overpowered me, my pace dropped and I was unable to boost myself up. I did my best not to push myself too far, an easy thing to do in such heat. I passed the pace leader of 4:30 who was exhausted. I saw her again at the finish line that she passed in 5:45.  This shows you how difficult it was to run with such heat.

I managed to get another Powerade bottle from the organization, and there I was with two bottles and my camera. I did not understand why there was Powerade only every three drink stations and why at some stations, it was kept under the tables still in big packs, without being offered to runners. I don’t know how runners can run while only drinking water, i.e. ice cold water that might upset the digestive system.

I reached km 25 in 2:40, still on time to finish in less than five hours, but it was getting really difficult. Everything was to fall apart fast.

I reached km 30 in 3:22. My pace had become ridiculous, and I took advantage of shaded areas to walk a bit. I looked like a distorted puppet. Luckily, no one was filming as it was certainly a sorry thing to watch! I was comforting myself with the thought that I was not the only one in this predicament. We looked like soldiers of a routed army! By then everyone was running with one or two bottles of water. In my opinion, drink stations were too far apart for such weather: there should have been one every two kilometers. Organization carts travelled back and forth to check on the runners. A good thing to do.  At km 33 I found a bench and sat there for a little to rest and refuel myself. I reached km 35 in 4:12. It was up to 95° F then and we welcomed all the shaded stretches! Luckily, there were many! The last three kilometers were slightly uphill and I reached the finish line in 5:26.

Members of the organization covered us quickly with cold towels and put ice bags on our heads.  Several race leaders crossed the line way beyond their usual time. The race director asked me what I thought of the run. I mentioned to her my problem with the drink stations. She explained to me that their site mentioned that the marathon was a “military style” event, which meant minimal support.  I told her that not many runners seemed to have read this as there were only a few of them carrying a camelbak! She said that they would better communicate this point next time but I insisted as I find necessary to have more water stations. She thanked me for my opinion and my participating in their marathon.

I got a few bottles and took the shuttle bus back to my car. As always, I took three packets of Immun’Âge® to help me recover quickly after a marathon. I had three hours to drive back to Chicago, and more than an hour with the subway to get to my hotel room for a shower and a well-deserved rest.

This marathon was a very pleasant run on a fast and flat natural surface. Besides the heat, the only other problem was the water/sports drink stations, and I was surprised that there were not more people having problems. I don’t know how I could have finished the run without my electrolyte bottles.

I am going to Saint Martin in the Caribbean to rest for a week and celebrate my birthday with my friends.

See you next week in New Mexico for new adventures.

David

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