Melt Down

There were lots of TMs in the Brad's parking lot at 7 am.  They were all there to mark the Scuffle course.  Ian had told me they had plenty of people, so I decided to run.  I took pictures of the virtuous volunteers as I headed out and when I saw them out on the trails. I had to keep track of the time because I was meeting Pete and Mindy back in the lot at 8.

I time it just right; It was right at eight when I finished up my mish-mash of trails on the east side.  I was already pretty wet with sweat, but  having a good run.  I noticed there were more deer flies than the evening before, but it seemed like they were all on the snowmobile trail east; the west side of the snowmobile trail had none to speak of.  Zak had given me a special deer fly strip to tape to my hat.  It had a couple, but had gotten crumpled, so not really able to do its job.  Zak, who'd been only on the east side when I caught up with him (probably 25 minutes into my run), probably had 20+ on his strip!

heading out to mark

The 2nd crew

Planning

Zak and Lenka finishing up

Julia was in the parking lot.  We chatted waiting for Pete and Mindy and anyone else that might show for the 8am run.  Very soon, Pete and Mindy pulled in.  That was to be our group, not surprising given that most Monsters were doing the Scuffle Sunday.  Pete wanted to run the beginning of the Bruiser.  Julia wanted a 2 hour run.  Mindy and I were just looking for miles, but also were planning to proof read the job the markers did on the Scuffle.  So we all decided to start out with Pete and peal off at the 3 mile mark to head over to run the Scuffle.

Somewhere on Ragan, I needed to pee.  Just off the trail as I went to squat, I noticed a peace sign of rocks.  It was slightly overgrown; I never would have seen it if I didn't have to pee right then and there.  It made me smile.  When I rejoined the others and told them, Mindy made a funny comment which made me say, "go in peace".

go in peace

At the big rock, the 3 mile Bruiser landmark, Julia, Mindy, and I ran off on the convenient trail that short cut us back to the snowmobile trail.  We ran straight down that and back to the parking lot; I wanted to drop off my camera that was getting way too wet.  It didn't matter if it was in the front pocket of my Nathan Pack or in my hand; Everywhere was dripping with sweat.  At the car, we saw Christian, who had helped with the marking.  After a brief chat, we went to Scuffle.

As we left Knights Woods, I realized I shouldn't be in the lead.  I knew the course so well, I kept forgetting to pay attention to the markings.  So Julia took the lead.  The markers guided her perfectly through the course.  Unfortunately, I needed more than markers to help me.  A few miles into the course, I began to get lightheaded, then dizzy.  I needed to walk a bit.  Julia and Mindy dropped back with me.  As I stopped being dizzy, I'd run.  I felt bad.  I got the chills and goosebumps.  Julia offered a salt tablet.  I looked at them, but didn't think I'd be able to swallow one.  As I struggled more, I decided that I'd try the salt.  It certainly couldn't hurt.  I think it helped a bit, but perhaps I needed more or I'd just waited too long and was too depleted.  I tried to convince them to finish their run; I'm very comfortable being out on the Brad.  I knew I could walk it in if I had to.  It took a while, but Julia did run ahead for the last few miles, knowing the Squirrel was with me.

We actually didn't finish all that far behind her.  When I look at the garmin data, there was less walking than it seemed.  I ended up with 14.9 miles.  I'd managed 11.8 miles at 11:30 pace, 1.5 at 9:34s, and 1.6 were walking. 

Pete was waiting back in the picnic table area.  We hung out there for a bit trying to stop sweating.  I felt less like shit, but decided I needed to put more effort into electrolyte management in the heat and humidity.  Julia told me all the stuff she'd researched about it.  I pointed out how even my shoes looked like I'd run through puddles; they were saturated with sweat.

At E&Ls, I was no longer dizzy, but feeling sick to my stomach.  I couldn't even look at food :(  I manged to drink two Ginger Beers.  By the time we left, my stomach was a bit less queasy, but I still didn't eat anything till about 2:30pm.  After that, and more fluids, I felt better.  Wow.

I'll post the pics later.  I need to get ready for the Scuffle!