Future Run Goals

I want to finish my first 100 miler in 2009. I've tried two 100-milers before and have had to quit. The first was Vermont in 2005: 78F dewpoints, +85F temperatures. I was severely dehydrated. I got to about mile 33 and couldn't get up, and they took me out in an ambulance. The second was Umstead in 2007. I began to show signs of severe dehydration at mile 62 and took myself out of the race.

I perspire very heavily on warm/humid days. I can lose a liter of sweat in no time.

The problem isn't that I'm not drinking enough. I drink so much I slosh. In fact, the gatorade and water doesn't get absorbed fast enough. It sits in my stomach till I feel like I have water filled up to the back of my throat. I need to find something that will help the liquid be absorbed faster.

Future Planned Runs

I'm going to run the Disney Goofey marathons at Disneyworld in January. Basically I'm in maintenance mode now leading up to this race because the lead time is so short.

I'm going to run the inaugural Marine Corps Half Marathon in May at Quantico, VA.

I'm also already committed to running the Baltimore Relay in 2008.

I'm going to run the Marine Corps for the forseeable future.

Recent Runs

I completed another Marine Corp Marathon in October 07.

I completed my third JFK 50 miler in November 07 - barely, at 13:47 with a 14:00 cutoff. I was really dehydrated, felt awful, and had a few blackout episodes during the last few miles. Spend some time in the emergency room the next day getting hydrated. My doctor believes I had a virus (and distance running temporarily sets the immune system back) and the virus had my body to itself for a whole day. Took me three days with a very high fever before I was better.

Starting at the start

So I've been running off an on for years. I've run several marathons, a few 50 milers, and tried 2 100 milers. But I've never been what I would call a "serious runner".

Yeah, I know, so if completing 50-milers isn't serious, what is?
I'm thinking of it more from a lifestyle perspective.
I have a weakness for ice cream and brownies. I don't like to run on cold, dark mornings. I regularly let "life" take priority over my daily exercise.

Serious runners eat, like...well, runners - healthfully. Serious runners train according to their plan, even if it is cold, dark, and wet and they have other things going on. Serious runners train hard when they train.

Well, I think it's time to get more serious.