So, I am pretty sore today. I guess that is was happens when you run 29 miles over nearly seven hours in total with almost 10,000 feet in climbing. Soreness is all in my calves and hamstrings. My quads actually feel pretty good. I felt good on most downhills too, so those muscles must be in decent shape.
As I indicated yesterday, it wasn't my best day and Payro pretty much dragged me around all day. I have two theories as to what might have went wrong.
One is something that I have been wondering about for quite some time; whether my synthroid is dialed in properly for someone who indulges in endurance events to the extent I do. I've talked to my doctor about this before and intend to do so again. The net net though is that I'm not exactly the runner I was pre-cancer and I don't think age is the major factor here. This would seem to make sense, considering its the thyroid that provides forward thrust and mine is majorly compromised (to the extent that it doesn't exist). My bloodwork indicates that my levels are fine, but I wonder if one needs a boost that the body naturally provides when engaging in a multi hour endurance event. Gail, you come across any literature on this subject?
Second theory? I was a bit too undertrained. My longest run time wise was three hours (that aborted 25k three weeks ago) and my longest run distance wise was 16.5 I'm not sure either prepared me adequately for the rigors of a race such as this.
Third theory? I'm aging. I'll leave that alone for now.
Anyway, the bottom line is that I am seriously happy to have finished. This is pretty hardcore race and getting to wear the Quad Dipsea finishers shirt is a badge of honor around here.
I'm actually starting to think that I will give it a shot again next year. This time, I hope that I don't pee blood again. I'm getting tired of that little problem too.
In other news, I start my low iodine diet tomorrow, in preparation for my three year scan on the 16th. As any thyroid cancer survivor can tell you, the diet is a bit of a bummer. No preservatives, dairy, chocolate and much more. Everything basically needs to be home made and with precision. And there is no margin for error. The Wife is bumming as she is going to have to essentially cook my next 52 consecutive meals. More on this later; I am sure I will write a post or two on the menu of the day.
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3 comments:
I've found that the lack of energy that I still have compromises my training, which has an impact on racing....but as you know, I've also been dealing with injury over the past few years (achilles tendon), so I haven't really been able to test out any theories....I'll ask my cyber-search expert husband if he knows of any helpful literature on the subject of endurance athletes without thyroid glands (!), otherwise we are an experiment of two :)
While I'm no expert on Thyroid glands I can say with certainty that you under-trained. The fact that you finished is a testament to your determination. Aging is not a factor.
Agree with the analysis - lack of long run and thyroid issues. Were it aging I'd be right there with you in slowing. I think you need some sort of synthroid adjustment prior to or during these events. But a longer training run would have helped as well. Nice job anyway, it was a ton of fun. One of the most beautiful races.
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