Fall Creek Falls - Spring Tour

Spring tour for this weekend was Fall Creek Falls. I have been to this place twice but never really had the time to stay there and enjoy besides that the weather sucked in both occasion. The weather turned out great this weekend though. It was a bit hot but I can live with it. 

Headed straight to Cane Creek Falls. Went down the cable which takes you down to the foothills of the falls. It was gorgeous. The water was flowing down in full force. Must be the recent rains. 

Cane Creek Falls:

 

Maniac# 3502

Yes!! I have been accepted to the Insane Asylum, at the Iridium level for my 21 races in 365 days streak. Thanks to Bjorg, Kino and Steve. Since I already was a part of the ICY 8HR Maniac picture, there was no other way but to sign up to the Maniac Asylum. The registration process went pretty smooth and an email showed up in my inbox later.
Naresh, at last you have found refuge, a place where you can call home, where the Insane can feel Sane again, and once again be treated like a normal human being.
That sentence sure brought a smile to my face. I’ll be treated like a human being once again. As soon as I got the credentials, I logged in as a maniac and entered my past race details. The GUI and the overall feel of the website was ok but definitely has room for improvement.
While entering my race details, I felt truly blessed for having the opportunity to run so many marathons/ultras and more lucky for not having any DNF’s so far. Somewhere along the way, my Ultra count exceeded the Marathon numbers. Such is my love to trail running and ultra marathons.

Land Between The Lakes Ultra – 50 Mile

It just feels like yesterday. I ran this race in 2010 and it was my second Ultra marathon then. I have come a long way. Last year, I only knew very few runners but this year was very different. I had so many friends including the RD Steve Durbin with whom I ran couple of Ultra Marathons.

Just got in time:

I thought I had registered for LBL 50mile along with my other races for this year but then I had my doubts. After Mt Cheaha 50K, I was skimming through my inbox for the Active Registration confirmation for this race. When i didn’t find one, I went through my transactions and it had no traces to LBL 50 Miles. Oops. I logged in Active and registered for the race immediately. The registration closed right after my registration and turns out that I was the last one to register. Else, I would have thrown myself at Steve’s mercy for my race entry :).
BIB : 497

Dirk’s Fat Ass 50K – 1/1/11

I came to know about this race during a runners meet organized by Jeff at Pizza Perfect. Met the RD for Fat Ass 50K - Dirk Hayes and thought it would be a kewl race to run since I didn’t run any race after my Bartram Forest 100 Miler. New year’s eve was so much fun with my friends from Church. Welcoming the New year with praise and thanksgiving at Church followed by some yummy Kerala style dinner. The food too tempting to avoid. Hit the bed at 3am only to get 4 hours of sleep.

It was pouring rain by the time I hit the road. I had some difficulty in getting to the race start. It was already 8am. The race must have started by now. Let’s just drive back home, you couldn’t run because you couldn’t find the start line, let’s jus catch some more sleep and enjoy the New Year, why struggle in this horrific rain – my mind was talking me through making excuses not to run. That’s when I saw a group of runners standing under a shelter crossing the rail road. Before I was about yield to the temptation, I pulled over, wore my Vibrams and headed towards the shelter. Just got in time but still missed the start line photo.

Nashville Ultra

I am exhausted and in pain now. I know running Ultra is painful, but I just tend to forget how painful last Ultra was and still end up signing for a couple more. I can feel the twinge of soreness in my achilles tendon and I dare to break those nasty blisters. I'd decided that I would rather leave the room lights ON and go to sleep instead of making an attempt to get up and turn it off. 

3:18AM, Oct 16th, I forced myself out from the bed at this God forsaken hour to hit the shower. Race starts at 5:00AM. I decided to start along with my friend Diane, two hours prior to official start time. My ambitious goal was to get the 50 miler under 10 hours and run until 7:00PM to get a 100K. Little did I knew what was in store for me for the rest of the day.

It was very cold that morning that one could see their breath. I wasn't expecting it to get this cold. No long sleeved shirt and no gloves. About 20 runners took off, into the fog, into the darkness. Not knowing where you are running at times is a bliss. I could hardly see anything ahead of me and that included the elevation as well. The first few miles were quiet hilly until we reached Kohls from where we ran towards Percy priest dam and back to the start line. Running that long wooden bridge along Stones river has always been my favorite course. While running back towards the start I saw the runners who started at 7:00AM. There were many faces that I could recognize. Dallas Smith, Josh Hite, Mike Melton, Mike from Bartlett, John Titjen and more. By the time I got to the start line which was mile 16 now, my hands were completely frozen and I had to take Angela's help, another awesome runner and a good friend, to even open a can of coke and the cap of the water bottle.

The sun was up by now and I headed my way towards Shelby Bottoms. The course was great and the course directions were marked pretty clear. There was NU written all along the intersections. It was a pleasant surprise when the arrow turned right detouring from the pavement to a dirt/grass trail. The grass drenched in early morning dew, with trees covering both sides of the trail, it felt like running in the wild. That's when the unexpected happened. I landed myself in a small ditch which was camouflaged by the covering of grass and I really twisted my ankle and felt a sharp pain shoot out from my Achilles. I walked a bit and when I felt good I started running again. The grass trail was winding through all along the course until a few miles short to the Shelby Bottoms Aid station.

It wasn't until after crossing the Pedestrian Bridge, mile 26, that my feet started hurting from the earlier ankle twist. It was getting hotter but nothing unbearable. Running along the Cheatham lake reminded me that it's the Purity 10K course which I ran earlier this year and I ran the purity 10K just for the unlimited ice cream after you finish. I saw the turn around point for 60K and 70K and was eagerly waiting to approach the 50 Mile turn around point. Mile 31, finally I made it to the turn around. Now all the way back to the start in addition to a small loop to the finish line.  

Mile 33, piercing pain hit my achilles and even running a 13 min pace was becoming impossible. I was well in time until now for a sub 10:00 and decided to take it easy and walk till the pedestrian bridge but when I reached mile 37 I lost all hopes and the goal was just to finish. A doc at the aid station looked at my leg and after examining my feet he said that my feet is swollen and it's going to be difficult but when I insisted to continue, he decided to splint my achilles which offered very little support. It was still painful but at least helped me keep moving. Prolonged walks on the hot pavement, my Vibrams couldn't hold it, and ended up developing blisters. At mile 40, when I reached the aid station I had nothing in my mind but to quit. Should I drop down to 40 mile and finish the race, running another 10 miles in this situation was something too daunting. While my body was waging a battle against my mind, I decided to keep moving on the course so that I will not have a choice but to continue to the finish line.

Soon I hit the grass/dirt trail. The same course which I loved running earlier that morning was looking like a crazy demon waiting to devour my leg as soon as I set my feet on it. My feet and blisters didn't like the uneven surface and it started hurting like hell. What would have taken an hour on a good day took me about 2 hours to cross that section. When I found a shady spot, I just crashed and the crazy pain caused my eyes to tear up. I just wanted to lie down there all day. Somehow I gathered myself and decided never to stop until I hit the next aid station.

The aid station at mile 45 came to my view and it felt so good sitting on a chair for a while sipping chilled coke. Angela, my friend, decided to pace me for the next 5 miles. She was such a God-send help. I was glad that I had someone to talk to as I was getting bored talking to myself for the past 10 miles. The volunteers cheered me up even as I got up on my feet to run the last 5 miles. On the last section of the course, I met Julie, the Vol State Queen who won the race this year. Man, what a women. A great inspiration. While looking for the turn around point, to my horror there was another dirt/grass trail section that I had to cross. By now, it was excruciating pain and I so wanted to give up but I didn't come all the way to give up at the last moment. Not today. Reached mile 49 and was back to the same aid station and from there it was a hill, a bridge to cross, and another hill. That's right, a hill right before the finish line.

(Yards before the finish line. You can see my splinted right feet)

The sight of the finish line was gorgeous. At that point of time, to me, the finish line was the most expensive strip of land that I wanted to set my feet on, an object of great desire, a beautiful girl friend to embrace (I'm single though..haha). 

I guess I was in a state of hallucination by that time. The crowds cheering helped me to sprint to the finish line. I endured unbearable pain for the last 4 hours just for this moment. Now, I am not usually dramatic but not sure why I did this, but after reaching the Finish, I got down on my knees, fell to the ground and kissed the finish line. I finished. 12:08:55. 

 

I have no regrets for not finishing it under 10:00 hours as planned earlier. It just felt so awesome to finish this race. It was a nasty sight when I removed my Vibrams. Removed the splints and applied some blister band aids offered by a runner. I couldn't even move to collect my finisher mug. All I wanted was rest and sleep. I dozed off for a good 15 minutes until a volunteer woke me up to hand me my finisher mug. 

Peperoni pizza and chili felt heaven after that long grueling day. Had a little cultural exchange conversation with the race photographer Stacey Irvin, who I realized later, is an award winning photographer and her work was splendid. Diane had to drop down at Mile 40 after developing really bad blisters but she was there at the finish line with a wide smile and some cow bells cheering up every runner crossing the finish line.

Back in my room, I realized that I am not going to get any sleep tonight. I didn't dare to break those blisters. I drank some chocolate milk, took some Tylenol and didn't even had the strength to turn the room lights off. Though I had all the reasons to drop out of the race, all said and done, I was glad that I could finish this race, may be not strong, but I finished. This race definitely tops in my list as the most painful race that I have ever run. Reminded me of the Team 413 quote.

 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13)

Winchester's Southern Tennessee Plunge Marathon

Oct 2, 2010. I was thinking about running the Stump jump 50K but decided to do the Plunge Marathon along with Diane and Kim. This was an inaugural marathon in a little town at Winchester, TN. It was a cold morning. Real cold. At least I felt it that way after enjoying a great summer for the past few months. The drive wasn't too far and we started at 5 in the morning and made it comfortably before the start. The registration was setup at the Old ham cinema. "Legend of the Guardian" is something that I wanted to catch up but not today.

The packet pick went smooth and the T Shirt was gorgeous. There was no orange tag or champion chip this time though. The sensor was embedded in the BIB itself. Race timings are getting very technical. Wonder how it will be down the lane. Caught up with Josh (The evil RD who put up the Blister in the Sun marathon), Chris Estes, Joshua Holmes and Kim. There were many half marathoners than marathoners. My goal was to do better than Tupelo though.

Race started on time. The beginning of the course was winding through city roads and traffic. First 5 miles smelt gas and smoke all the way but there were cops EVERYWHERE. They regulated the traffic so good especially at the intersections. I was sick in my stomach. I was running at a good pace though but was feeling soreness in my shoulder and as usual I forgot to tape my nipple and ended up chaffing. Yeah!! I never learn from my mistakes.

Though it was cold at the start of the race it was getting hotter by the day and humid. I reached the half marathon distance by 2:05. There were hardly any runners who took the deviation to the Marathon course. Kim who finished her half marathon in about 1:50 came down to the intersection with some ice cold water and banana. Thanks Kim, you are the best! She ran with me a while and I took off after devouring the banana.

A long stretch of road and I could see miles ahead of me but no runner. I was there all by myself. I was skeptical whether I am on the course and was so glad when I hit the aid station. I am indeed on the course. Wish the aid stations had some electrolytes. About 18 miles into the race, my running friend Phil Min caught me. That's the difference between experienced and amateur runners. He had an amazing pace and he passed me in no time. Slow and steady. The course ahead had some serious elevation. The elevation didn't seem to be very tough but it was. Steep and long. My goal to finish the race under 4:30 started to fade. New goal was to get it under 5:00.

 

It got really hot towards the end of the race. My vibrams couldn't keep up with the hot surface and when I inspected my feet at an aid station I noticed few blood blisters on my toes. Nice!! Soon, Phyllis caught me. Another experienced runner and this was her 185th Marathon. That's no typo, it was indeed her 185th marathon. The steep hills were killing me and I was craving for some food though I knew that I won't have anything solid for the next one hour at least.

The course during the last few miles was really rough. We were running on thin shoulder with the traffic just a feet away. It was a bit confusing too as the course went through some Junk yard and deserted streets but big thanks to all the volunteers for staying there out in the sun. The finish line came to sight and it was time to sprint. 4:59:16 was my finish time. Best surprise!! I placed second in my age group :). Sweet!!! While waiting for Diane, I met with Kim (Winchester is her hometown btw) and her Mom at the finish line. Soon, runners started showing up one after another.

Josh Hite won the marathon with a great time 3:00:00. Overall a great race for an inaugural marathon. Volunteers need a special mention here and they did a great job. I can't wait for my award which will arrive by mail soon. Above all I thank God for enabling me to finish my 8th marathon, Strong!!!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me - Phil 4:13

My first Volunteering experience!

It was time to be on the other side of the shore. Volunteers can make or break any event and so it is in running. No runner can cross the finish line without the help of the volunteers. It was my time to return the favor even and I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Nashville Women's Half Marathon.

Saturday, Sep 25, I volunteered to be the Course Monitor for the Women's Half Marathon. It was my first volunteering experience and it really felt great to be out there supporting 6000 odd women runners, and some men, doing little something to help them achieve their goal. Women from all background and age group were out there trying to accomplish their goal and for some of them, their Dream. I was lucky that I got posted yards away from the finish line. It was amazing to see some of the runner push through their maximum limits with everything they got. Some sprinted through and some just one feet in front of another to the finish line. I was enjoying the scene and ringing the tiny little cow bell to motivate them to cross the finish line.

That's when a lady, Lynn Manzelmann, in her 50's collapsed right before me, just a few yards before the finish line. A knowledgeable person was doing CPR while a few other volunteers and I assisted the person. There was no sign of breathing. She just let out a little gasp occasionally which gave me the hope that she will be just fine. I was expecting to see her get on her feet, she never did but just let out a faint breath every now and then. The ambulance arrived in no time and they were doing something with the defibrillator. A runner who was related to the lady was weeping bitterly and we tried to console her. While the cops regulated the traffic and the runners safe to the finish line, the ambulance took off to the hospital. No one knew anything about the runner. I inquired about this to the race director and he mentioned that she has been admitted at the Vanderbilt.

Sunday morning I tried googling for some news about the incident but there was nothing. I tried on Monday morning and that's when I read on Tennessean.com that she passed way on Sun morning due to Cardiac arrest. It was shocking and saddening. My prayers and deepest condolence to her family and friends for their loss.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100928/SPORTS11/9280335/Half-marathon-runner-from-Brentwood-dies
 

Lynn has run several marathons, was in great condition and had no known health problems. Reminded me of several other incidents in the past where runners collapsed at the finish line and didn't make it back. I just wonder why. This cannot happen to runners. They are fit and in great shape. Runners shouldn't suffer heart attack or can they!! It certainly shows how frail a human life life is no matter hot fit and fine you are. This incident really moved me but would it stop me from running, NO! Would it stop other runners who witnessed this event from running, NO again. It's crucial though that one must listen to their body. Lesson learnt, there's a fine line between pushing your limits and knowing when to stop. This applies not only to running but every aspect of life. Be it stressful work situation, family problems and stuff. What matters is whether it's truly worth pushing your limits.

All said and done, doing what you love the most matters, no matter what.