<p>Way to PR, Steve!</p>
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<p>Saturday: Another 100M DNF but I had fun!</p>
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<p>Quick Rundown:</p>
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<p>I was in the midnight 100M start group. It was sprinkling at the starting line but it was quickly replaced with fog. I was glad I had a headlamp and flashlight as the fog reflected the light back into my eyes. We eventually climbed out of the fog and could see the monster moon through the clouds. The climb to the course high point was no problem and this year I did not get lost looking for the deck of cards
At the Lion Canyon/Topa Aid Station I was able to sample some "cat food" dip. </p>
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<p>The run down to the Rose Valley aid station was an easy job in the morning light. I met up with my mom and dropped off my headlamp. Then I headed back to the Lion Canyon/Topa Aid Station. Another easy climb for me. Back at the aid station, I had a volunteer snap a photo of me enjoying the cat food. </p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/80123/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="P1000448.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16501" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16501/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a></p>
<p>On this next segment, I managed to lose my handheld bottle after visiting the bushes. Fortunately, I had cell phone coverage on the ridge so I called my mom and hoped she could figure something out. When I got to the next ridge aid station, I drank a huge glass of diluted ginger ale as to make sure I didn't pay skimping on water. </p>
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<p>My quads started to hurt on the descent back into Rose Valley aid station but I was able to keep running. There were a few snow flurries as I was running down. My mom was back and Chris Rios made her/me a Duct Tape C2M bottle! As I was changing into a warmer top, several runners suggested I add pants. I ignored them
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<p>The next climb worked the soreness from my quads so I was able to blast down the sweetest piece of single track into Howard's Creek aid station. It is amazing how good someone can feel after hiking/running 50+ miles! As I came into the station, a volunteer holding a beer asked what I needed. I asked if they had beers for runners. Yep. That beer was so good after that wonderful descent. </p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/80125/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="P1000452.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16502" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16502/width/640/height/480" style="; width: 640px; height: 480px"></a></p>
<p>Another climb up and the ridge with no problems. I was really peaked for going up the ridge. The Gridley Top volunteers were all dressed in animal costumes. I refilled my bottles and headed out. After a few turns, I looked back and saw the RD in a pig costume with a runner (Sue, the RD's wife) that I had been yo-yo-ing for the last 50 miles
She finally caught up to me and we ran down together until my quads needed a break. That was when the breakdown hit. I got dizzy and really hot. I was sweating like mad. I stripped to cool off and then my core temperature dropped. I was shivering and the outside temperature was mid 50's. I put everything I had on and added hand warmers. I made no decisions and set my mind to getting to the next aid station. It took forever because I was cold and my quads were hurting.</p>
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<p>At the aid station, I sat in the car to warm up and drank some soup for 5 minutes. I started to feel a little better but I started shivering again once I stepped outside. I was unsure if I wanted to continue. A volunteer suggested I change into warm clothes. She and my mom helped me change and I felt a 1000 bucks better. I was getting ready to continue when the aid station caption reminded me that it was 14 miles until the next off-ridge station and real help would be available. Basically, I needed to be sure I would not have another hot/cold attack. I wasn't so I dropped.</p>
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<p>Later that night, I woke up with my left sinuses inflamed and my throat swollen. It appears that hot/cold attack was a fever. In addition, it started to rain as we were leaving the aid station. The storm got really bad and the run was shut down around midnight. I cannot imagine what would have happened if I had stayed out there.</p>
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<p>Click <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/chrisgrove26.2/CoyoteTwoMoon?feat=directlink" target="_blank">here</a> to see more photos. I should be adding my mom's photos tonight. </p>
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<p>Chris G</p>
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