Superior aftermath

"boy the Mrs. is going to kill me."

That is what was on my mind on the ride home Sunday. Not only did the leg swell up big time from the hornets, but my right knee was in serious pain.

I will spare you the many photos my wife took of the oozing puss and swollen ankle. I took some drugs, and the swelling is almost gone. The puss stopped oozing about Wednesday, but my right knee is barely working.

I decided to break down and see my chiroprachtor today (Bill Parker's former landlord). I found that my popliteus is locked. This doesn't really qualify as a spraigned knee, but I guess it does not matter. With some work, it should be okay by next week. I am not sure when I will be able to run again, though. I can't even walk cofortably.

Aftermath synopsis
* locked popliteus
* hornte sting reactions
* one completely bruised toe (right big one), two not sure (small on each foot)
* aches and pains in the hip flexors, nothing serious
* seious callousing on the feet.
* had the DOMS for a few days, so it was tough to tell what was injury, swelling, and/or soreness.

Someone metioned during the race about having nightmares the week after. I have had dreams about running almost every night, but not sure if they qualify as nightmares. When it rained Wednesday night, I did wake up and think "crap, I need to put my rain gear on", thinking I was running.

I thought I would hit a low this week, feeling a let down from all I have worked on during the past year. I don't. I am just happy I get to do these things.

I still want to get in one more race for the year, but not sure if I can heal porperly by Glacial. I will cross that road in a few weeks.

What do I do with this blog now?

I am not sure if I should keep blogging. The whole point in me doing this last year was having a way to be held accountable during the training for the 100 miler. It's great to know people read, and encourage me, but I am also thinking it me be time to pass the torch.

I try not to give out too much advice here, as everybody is different. Also, a lead packer needs advice from a lead packer. I am somewhere in the "mid packer" range, or in that chasm between "mid packer" and "semi elite". Whatever the case, I have tried to document what has worked for me, and what has not.

Here is what worked for me at Superior and what did not:

Worked
Not listening to all of the "experts" and just following my heart
Not worrying about an even pace
Running my own race
Not worrying about all of the famous sections. I still can't tell you where the "drainpipe" is. Don't remember the "Sawbill Dome". Did not know I was on the "Beaver Dam" until miles later. Did not know I was in the Sonju roots section until I saw one tree/root cluster I recognized from a picture (I could tell even in the dark).
I did not worry about eating. I ate when I needed to and kept a steady flow of some kind of food coming in me.
Taking 4 bottles of fluid in the first two sections was critical. I drank it all.
Walking hard worked well. Aside from the knee proboblem, I felt I could have done this forever. I even think I could walk the whole think and still make the cut.

What did not work
I had too much crap in my drop bags. I think I used 10% of it.
Wider variety of food. I go sick of Shot Blox (Crack blox)
Better system with my pack (I did not want to take it off, so I kept dropping crap I wanted to put away)

I don't think there is much else I would do differently. I would even say it would have made more sense to go out a little harder, and get to Finland earlier. Once night hits, just switch to power walk mode. I seemed to recover while I was walking. Either way one slices it, you are going to be trashed Saturday morning. Might as well bew farther down the couse when the sun comes up.

It was frustrating to have to go so slow the last 3 sections. I was actually right behind Bill Gengler at Temperance (mile 80 something), and he put an hour and a half on me during that time to the end. That was all knee. Oh well.

So for now, here is my shout out to anybody who reads this.

Go run a trail.

Consider one of the Spring or Fall Superior races. You can actually walk the Marathon and make the cut. It is an experience you will cherish, and a great way to see beautiful scenery.

I will be there in the Fall next year either crewing, pacing, working an aid station, or all of the above.

I am sure the Afton runs will continue all winter long, so join us out there. I will try to do some "normal" time of day runs.