Me, looking like crap and showing-off my Hard-Earned 500-mile Shirt
from this year's RR100-miler .
Photo by Kristi Mayo
Post 100-mile race recovery can be problematic, especially if you've had a "really rough" race. This last one was a real bad one for me. It's funny; 13-days hence, and I actually feel really well; no aches, no stiffness, and I'm running okay. I think I'm recovering just fine, but there were a few problems along the way. Running the last 20 miles without being able to eat or drink anything (because of dry-heaving), was the toughest thing on my body (and mind), I think. When that happens, a person's body tends to cannibalize itself, and blood-ketone levels and a bunch of stuff goes crazy. I also went there with a bad cold, and I came away from it with bronchitis and a sinus infection.
Funny Story:
I went to see my doc just a day after the race because of my sinus infection. My doc knows about my ultrarunning exploits, and always likes to hear about them. I told him about my recent 100, and he said that the stress of it had probably helped me get a secondary infection, so he prescribed some antibiotics. He also said that my activities are "good for (his) business."
He also had some blood work done on me. I think that he was mainly curious to see what a post-100-mile sample looked like, with everything that I'd gone through in this particular race. My CK level (creatine kinase) was 867...(it's supposed to be between 24-195), I had evidence of rhabdomyolysis- muscle proteins in my bloodstream, and everything about the blood sample was out-of-sorts. The poor lab tech called me immediately, and was really freaked-out. He said, "I haven't seen blood counts that bad since pulling a sample from a cadaver, post-cardiac arrest." I told him, "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated," and it was "normal" for what I'd gone through recently, and to talk with my doctor.
I have a very good and understanding doctor!
Happy trails,
Bad Ben
8 comments:
After WS100 I had CK at 1200, and Dr. Bob said it was low:) comparing ot some.
You had a busy month! I read your report for Wyco on ultralist - great recap, and awesome RDing. Congrats to Caleb and all the finishers!
Still waiting for your registration on PCT, we are practically full for 50M...
I just registered today!!!!
You deserve that shirt! Congrats!
I'll be at PCT again this year too. I'm bumping up to the 50M (my first!). I'll take the early start so you'll have to say hi as you pass me by.: )
Wow!! That is such an interesting medical report. It's amazing how the body copes with such distances. It's truly a machine!
Congratulations on winning your 500 mile shirt.
I enjoy reading your blog and reports on races, health and life in general.
Wyco must have been another fascinating and again a unique race.
Wish I could have been there to cheer everyone on.
Maybe next year.
Sam
OMG!!!
You mentioned that you "looked like crap" in the picture. I thought that you looked remarkably well and happy for someone that had just run 100 miles. I can tell you that I look a lot worse riding 10 miles on a bike.
Hunahpu,
I guess I meant to describe how I felt at that moment - both happy and crappy.
I recover fairly quickly, though, which is a good thing.
- Ben
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