With the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 miler one week away, I'm less than enthused to report that I've spent the previous couple weeks going through the many stages of denial. Despite all of my focus and planning this winter to arrive at the starting line in stellar racing shape, I find myself hoping beyond hope that a hamstring issue clears up enough for me to even toe the starting line on 5/14.
After initially hurting the hammy the week after the Bull Run 50, I took an easy week to help it heal up. I thought I was in the clear, but a run on the MMT course last weekend brought out a mighty lightning bolt of pain after only 4 miles of running, and I was forced to walk back to my car. As you might imagine, I was a bit displeased.
At this point I've come to peace with the fact that I will have to replace the excitement of trying to track down the likes of Meltzer and Gorman in the final miles with a desperate effort to track down the likes of Budweiser and Aleeve at the aid stations along the way. Quite frankly, I'll be beyond excited if I can finish the course at all. It's tough to hide an injury over 100 miles of running, and MMT is like the Columbo of race courses in exposing any physical weaknesses you may have along the way. Will she chew me up and eat me for lunch? Probably, but I'm willing to give it a shot and hope that it's Mountain Yom Kippur or something next Saturday.
I'm doing all I can to encourage the healing process between now and then, and while I won't do anything stupid if my leg is still hurting out there, I will be ready to fight for 36 hours if needed to get to that finish line. In a way I'm actually looking forward to what will boil down to Me vs. the Course. There's no concern for finishing time or placement on this one, just the pride of gutting out a tough course on under-trained and fragile legs. Don't ask me my revised opinion of this next statement at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, but right now I'm actually looking forward to a little suffering out there. I've missed my weekly long run suffer-fests while dealing with all my issues this Spring, so why not cram in 30+ hours of suffering into one weekend to make up for it?! Also on the bright side: I'll get to see two sunrises while out on the course. Hooray!
For those who are interested, the website will have some updates, and I'm sure there will be a few folks Tweeting as well. The hash tag #MMT100 will probably get you the most up-to-date info on the leaders. There's a ton of talent in the field this year, so I should be a heck of a race to follow!
16 comments:
So sorry to learn about this developement, Dan. I hope you're able to work it out before the start gun goes off next weekend!
Thanks, Ric! We both know there's always another race down the road to make up for disappointments like this! No sense in complaining, might as well just enjoy the adventure!
Don't write yourself off yet man, I've had many races where I went in with a "condition", and out with a win. Sometimes they heal themselves once you get numb after mile 40. See you there.
Glad to hear you are planning on toughing it out for the finish Dan, but like Karl said, you never know!!
See you on Friday, and maybe on the trail Saturday. Best wishes and have fun!!
Bummer! Hopefully it works it gets better this week and you can at least have an enjoyable day.
Karl - Hoping you're right, my friend. Be sure to keep a beer cold at the finish for me, I'll definitely need it!
Kimba - If you happen to stumble upon me laying in the middle of the trail Sunday morning, do me a favor and make there aren't any nearby raccoons looking to drag me off to their dinner table.
Nick - You know as well an anyone how much it sucks to have to drop MMT before the fun even starts out there. I'll be doing my best to make sure I don't repeat that disaster from a couple years back!
Sorry to read about your injury Dan. For what it's worth my advice would be to listen very carefully to your body and perhaps save yourself for the Spartathlon. You wouldn't want to travel all the way to Greece if you're not 100%.
Chris,
Sparta is definitely my #1 goal for the year, and i'll be wise to keep that in mind for sure.
With no World 24Hr this year, any chance I'll see you out in Greece as well?
Wish I could be there to hook you up with a beer at every aid station...maybe sneak in a morphine injection too. Whatever it takes to help you endure!
Yeah, when I read this I thought it sounded (unfortunately) very familiar! I certainly hope things go much better than last time!
Dan,
As Karl would likely also say: enjoy the ride (still). Hopefully you'll feel good enough to do just that. After MMT plan to attack your injury so your dream race- Spartathalon- comes together without a hitch. I'm sure you will do that, too.
See you in a few days.
Neal
FYI, Bird Knob will be stocking Budweiser. You just have to run the 80 miles to reach it.... Good luck to you
Neal - A podium finish in Sparta will definitely make up for this disappointment, so you can bet that will be my goal!
Mr. Pesta - That is the best news I've heard all month! A pop or two will go a long way to making the pain go away over the final stretch. See you up there!
Dan,
I am so sorry to hear about your hamstring.
If you need a pacer to walk you in, I could step up to the plate...but hopefully your hamstring pain will myseriously disappear like my knee pain did at the Potomac River Marathon and you will be running super fast to the finish.
And I think I trained you up back at the 2009 VT100 for a long slow walk to the finish...but you have to just keep your spirits up, the laughter and stories going and of course green M&M's are the treat of champions (and of course it is only the green ones!!!)
Take care,
Tammy
Have a great race - Just make the best out of what God blesses you with on race day ... all you can do.
Michael Henze
MTP
Things are great here on our end. We are thinking of you and rooting you on today!
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