The returning runner

Act 5, Part 2– From 5,000 meter collapse to 3rd in the US at 1,500 meters

Well, let’s recap… In Part 1, I collapsed in the 5,000 meters (possibly from dehydration and electrolyte imbalance) and had to be helped off the track by two medics. That was Thursday, the 1,500 meter event was coming up on Sunday…

 Heading back to the hotel, I rode in the car with the seat leaned back and the sun gently shining through the glass on my face. If felt like a good way to die. I was beat but gradually recovering from my 5k collapse. I knew I had to drink and put away 3 quarts of fluids in 45 minutes (and then didn’t pee for another 4 hours). Somehow, I wanted to run well in the 1,500 meters coming up in just 3 days. I devised a strategy:

·       I knew I was a “head-case” – I would have to run the next couple of days just to prove to myself that I could still put one foot in front of the other.

·       My collapse in the 5k seemed to have had a connection to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. On race day, I would gulp Nuun electrolyte drink right up to the start of the race.

·       My race strategy would have to be conservative – I would start out slow and if I had “it”, I would go after 3rd place. I figured that if I collapsed again that they would ban me from the meet.

Over the next two days, I hit the Empire Mine trails located just a mile or so from our Grass Valley Courtyard Suites “base”.  Three miles or so each day. Ok – I still knew how to run. On Sunday I went overboard on hydration. Those of you who are familiar with the drink invented by my dad (now called Vitalyte) may ask why I’m now using Nuun. Vitalyte is great but despite being skinny, I’m “pre-diabetic”. Vitalyte has a fair amount of sugar but Nuun has, well, none.

I took the first half of the race crazily slow, but I was watching the lead pack of 3. At 800 meters a wounded sparrow obliged as the thread connecting Robert Whitaker with the two leaders stretched and then broke. I stalked the wounded sparrow. I hunted and then caught the sparrow at the beginning of the first turn on the last lap. Then, I did something I’ve never done before and not really sure why. Don’t judge me. I pulled even on the outside with Robert and then just rode on his shoulder for nearly the entire turn. I felt good. I felt better. Maybe it was some sort of repair to my psyche necessary to correct damage from my 5,000 meter collapse. Maybe it was some sort of dominance thing. Maybe deep-seated psychological issues… This was foolishness! I needed to get going. Someone might catch me! I did get going and I held on for 3rd place in the national championships. Now, let’s just hope things go a little bit steadier at the World Championships.

“We’re lighter, faster, and if that don’t work, we’re nastier.” - Carroll Shelby, Ford vs Ferrari, 2019