This is the beginning of the 2008 Avenue of the Vines half marathon. More than 700 runners and walkers crossed the starting line at 8 a.m. There was a simultaneous 5k going on, but somehow, they all sorted themselves out. The results were posted quickly.The heat was brutal - heat records were set all up and down the Central Valley. Stockton reached 105; Lodi peaked at 98; Sacramento at 99. There was no shade along the route, which did in fact loop through vineyards - and also several odiferous dairies!
For the first 6 miles, I buddied up with Bridget because we seemed to be walking at the same pace. And then it all fell apart for me. Bridget finished - I didn't.
It took 3 1/2 hours to reach the 10 mile marker, where I realized I was having trouble breathing - almost like an allergic response or an asthma attack - very hard to suck enough air in, even though I was not "out of breath" from exertion. Walking made it worse, even after resting a bit. I knew I was more than 3/4 of the way to the finish line, but the thought of getting into respiratory trouble between aid stations - especially since I knew I was the very last person still walking, with no one behind me - made me decide to abort and get a ride back to the winery. It would have taken another hour to finish if I were not in distress, and I had no wish to be found collapsed on the side of the road.
I was - still am - crushed, disappointed, angry, embarrassed that I failed to complete the walk. I realize it was not my fault; I just don't do failure well. After the tears, though, I have decided what I am going to do: I will continue training this week and walk the 13.1 miles next week. In Hawaii. So there!
2 comments:
You made it 10 miles. It was miserably hot. It was your first half-marathon. Congratulate yourself!
Thanks! I feel better about it now, and I am going to walk 13.1 miles. They say vog is an issue in Hawaii at the moment, so if the air there is bad I'll wait till I come back.
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