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2012 Ragnar Del Sol

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Location:

Mesa,AZ,USA

Member Since:

May 12, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I started running again in 2007 after 14 years of not running.

Mile - 4:59 (high school 1992), 5:57 (9/21/2010 ARR Open Mile)

2 mile - 11:10 (high school 1992)

5k - 21:54 (11/18/2010 Tempe Road Runners 5k)

10k - 48:29 (5/9/2009 Race for Hospice)

Unofficial 10k - 47:11 (1/27/2011 Red Mountain Park)

1/2 marathon - 1:49:00 (4/4/2009 Havasu Half)

Marathon - 4:33:09 (11/21/2009 Mesquite Marathon)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Run a half marathon in under two hours.

Run a marathon in close to 4 hours.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Stay healthy long enough to live through the millenium.

Personal:

I am married and have six kids. 

Blog title explanation

Bloggers I've met in real life: 1MileToGo, Aaron Kennard, Andrea North, Arizona Desert Monsoon, auntieem, Bec, Ben, Benjamin, Bonnie, Camille, Cari, Collin Anderson, David Holt, DooneEight Kid Mom, Erico, Flatlander, Gary, Jake Krong, JamesW, Jose, Josse, Julieesplin, JunKelli, Kerri, KP, Kyle Dion, Lightitup, Little Bad Legs, Lybi, Marthon Dreamer, M, Mary Ann Schauerhamer, Misty, Nan, Peds Endo Doc, Rachelle, RADRhett, Riley Cook, Rossy, runningafterbabies, Sasha, Scott Hughes, Scott (Kelli's husband), Scott Wesemann, Slow Joe, Spencer Simpson, Stephen, Steve Piccolo, Susie, The Rookie, Toby, Tracy, Twinkies, TylerS, Walter

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 Lifetime Miles: 803.99
Asics Gel 3030 Lifetime Miles: 204.85
Saucony Hurricane 13 Lifetime Miles: 149.22
Asics Gel DS Trainer 17 Lifetime Miles: 87.49
Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 Lifetime Miles: 800.59
Brooks Ravenna 4 Lifetime Miles: 88.83
Mizuno X10 Trail Lifetime Miles: 180.06
Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 Lifetime Miles: 802.77
Asics Gel Kayano 21 Lifetime Miles: 56.47
Mizuno Wave Inspire 11 (blue) Lifetime Miles: 800.75
New Balance 1260v5 Lifetime Miles: 9.19
Reebok Floatride Lifetime Miles: 8.23
Race: 2012 Ragnar Del Sol (16.8 Miles) 03:00:00
Total Distance
16.80

Bronchitis and Ragnar don't mix.

But there was no way I was not going to run my 10th Ragnar.  Even if it meant being a liability for my team.  So, yeah, pretty selfish. 

My van consisted of everyone from last year except Michael Cottam took the place of Eddie the Turtle.  Glen the Gazelle called me a few days before the race.  Sadly, his oldest son who has been trying to have a kid since he got married had a stillborn child.  The funeral was supposed to be Saturday afternoon.  Glen had a choice to either not run or just run his first two legs.  I told him don't worry about it.  "You run my first leg, and I'll run your last leg."  Probably shoulda looked at how much running that was going to be for me.  My last leg was 7.6 miles.  His was 9.0.  The bad thing was the six straight miles of uphill.  But I thought if I could make it to the top, I'd be able to run the last six miles of downhill.  Yep.  That's what I thought.

Glen did great on his legs, as expected.  My first run wasn't until 8:30 at night.  I decided to go with the strategy I used at the Vegas Ragnar; run slow.  That seemed to work well for me then.  Also, I should carry a lot of fluids with me.  I think that was smart.  The nice thing about my first leg is that it was 5.7 miles and completely flat.  I didn't have my Garmin, but I was probably running a 9 min./mile.  The not so nice thing was that I started wheezing real bad.  I was hoping that exercising my lungs with some cardiovascular activity would help clear out my lungs.  It made it worse.  But ulitimately, I think it had to get worse before it got better.

Afterward I tried to keep my distance from my teammates because I knew the wheezing would be very obvious.  I couldn't hide it from Cottam.  He offered me a hit off his inhaler, but I never took it.  Should have.  However, I did get some rest.  I've never gotten that much sleep at a Ragnar before.  Being sick will do that for you.

Now came my last legs.  The first 4 miles were downhill.  Take it nice and easy, Burt, so you can conquer the next 6 uphill.  Then it's all downhill.  Even though I hacked up quite a bit while I was resting, the wheezing started again.  So, I started to pray.  Mostly that I wouldn't die and leave my family without a father.  It wasn't too long after that, that the lungs started to clear up.  Tender mercies.  Now I had to worry about whether or not my legs would hold out.  After all, I hadn't run for almost three weeks.

I got through the first four miles easily enough.  Then I started the grueling uphill.  Ouch.  I started eating Gu's, Shotblock, and Cliff Bars by the handful.  These were supposed to be non-support legs, but my team was supporting me.  After much effort, pain, time, and a little walking, I got to the top.  That was a moral victory.  I keep telling myself that.  I started running downhill and my hamstring kept seizing up on me.  Then I think my left foot's circulation was cut off.  It felt like lack of circulation, but it also felt like it might be a huge blister.  Anyway, the combination of the two started putting serious doubts in my head about being able to finish.  After a mile of downhill, I finally succumbed to those doubts.  I asked my van if anyone had anything left in them.  Shannon said she did.  I said okay, and I took off running a little faster knowing that I was about done and expecting them to drive a little further down the road to make the switch.  After about 200 yards I hear this voice behind me, "Wait!"  Shannon had jumped out there and chased me down.  Oh my golly, as my daughter says.  I gave her the baton and my reflective vest which fit her like a dress.  Then I hung my head in shame for the long walk back to the van.

I determined that there was no blister, so it must have been lack of circulation.  Now I felt like I should run a portion of someone else's legs to prove my worth to the team.  I did feel pretty much worthless.  Of course that would have totally been against the rules, but I felt pretty demoralized.  Shannon was our last runner, and Cottam was our first runner.  Cottam decided to take Shannon's last leg.  I offered to run the first 1.5 to 2 miles.  He said, "Well, I'm going into this with the idea of running the whole thing.  It's a mental thing.  If I don't go in it with that mindset, I won't be able to do it at all.  But if mind doesn't overcome matter, you can jump in."  Well, not only did Cottam run the whole thing, he dominated.  He ended up running over 24 miles.  I was really proud of my team for stepping up. 

So, there it is.  Finally.  10 Ragnars in the books.  Double digit club.  13 medals.  And a sad race report to go with it.  It's been two weeks.  I feel better now, but I'm so out of shape.  Time to start hitting the pavement again.

Asics Gel 3030 Miles: 16.80
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From RAD on Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 21:14:29 from 98.202.23.178

I'm hoping for more...but, yes - fluids and taking it slow should've made a good run!

Nice to see a post Burt!

From Burt on Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 21:56:34 from 72.223.93.158

Thanks RAD. I'm finished now. Sorry I've been such a crummy blogger lately.

From catherine on Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 22:02:38 from 98.202.112.38

I'm glad you're back! Sorry about the bronchitis.

From runningafterbabies on Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 22:03:43 from 71.195.219.247

Way to get it done! You don't have to apologize for having a life!

From ACorn on Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 22:31:45 from 24.2.76.146

Way to go Burt! Your determination is inspiring, congrats on the tenth Ragnar!

From CookieLegs on Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 23:37:28 from 70.56.103.94

Welcome back, Burt. Congrats on running Ragnar even though you were sick. And good luck with your running - I hope your bronchitis has run its course and that your hammy is feeling better, too.

From Burt on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 00:03:01 from 72.223.93.158

Cat - thanks. I wish I was a superhero like you.

RAB - it's funny. I've been thinking about it lately. There was a time when I might have said, "My name is Burt McCumber. I'm a father, a husband, a blogger, and a Mormon."

Acorn dog - if you're being serious, thank y :)

Adele! Where the heck did you go? Welcome back to you!

From RAD on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 10:02:56 from 98.202.23.178

You did good Burt! Seriously, given all the conditions you faced you tackled this one like a pro. No pity needed :)

From Burt on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 10:18:29 from 72.223.93.158

Thanks RAD. I am a true Ragnar pro. Everytime my team had questions about whether or not something was against the rules, I simply reminded them, "Uh, 10 ragnars," meaning, the rules don't apply to me anymore.

From Chad Robinson on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 10:26:50 from 50.73.39.89

Wait... Burt...You are a Mormon?!? Nice job getting through number 10.

From Burt on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 10:36:11 from 72.223.93.158

Why you little....!

From Claudio on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 12:05:13 from 216.99.185.50

Burt - how did I miss this report until now? Congratulations on the 10th Ragnar, and that's a lot of miles to run when you don't feel well. I didn't think it was a sad report, clearly being unwell is no reason for happiness but having friends and teammates ready to support is, and you would do the same for them I am sure.

From Burt on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 12:22:42 from 72.223.93.158

Hey Claudio. I didn't write this report until last night. You're right. That's the perfect outlook. Thanks!

From The Quiet Pirate on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 13:56:00 from 152.26.59.252

The walk of shame.... sorry it wasn't your greatest adventure ever.

Glad you're back. Hit the pavement hard and enjoy the pain.

From Rye on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 21:10:15 from 174.27.106.57

Nice report you selfish runner! Hope you are feeling better. Bronchitis survives in Idaho too. I'm thinking that in Arizona its like a thick cloud of gunk that looms over just waiting to take a spot in your lungs. Good luck!!!

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