Run for Regis 2015. A lesson in pain...

Run for Regis is a challenging trail race in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park that offers various distances from as short as 13.1 miles to as long as 50k. It is primarily single track made up of two loops.  One loop is a bit over 8 miles and has steep climbs, descents, and rolling trail.  Loop two is 4.7 miles and not nearly as technical as loop one but make no mistake, it is not easy!

I was turned onto this race back in 2012 when I jumped online right as registration opened for the 2013 race.  Since there is a limited number of spots, the race quickly sells out.  With some changes in race leadership this year, the sellout took a little longer and at race time there were a lot more people that were enjoying their first 'Run for Regis'. There were also numerous race veterans who have been R4R supporters since the race inception.  

In 2014, it was frigid on race day and if memory serves me it was 7 degrees as the 50k kicked off.  I can recall saying to myself, "I'm not signing up for next year if it's going to be this cold".  But, as registration opened for the 2015 race, I couldn't pass up the opportunity for early registration. I was counting on the near springlike conditions from the 2013 race.  Boy, was I wrong...the 50k kicked off at 1 degree above zero.  The difference is that in 2014 it stayed frigid but this year the temps were forecast to steadily rise to near 30 degrees.  While I made one major mistake in this race, the thing I did do correctly was properly dress for the temperature and the warming trend expected through the morning.

The 50k kicked off at 7:30 with those of us running shorter distances crossing the starting line at 9:00.  As we lined up for our start, I was quite aware of how stiff my right ankle felt.  Like many other training runs and races, it typically loosened up as I warmed up so I paid little attention to the ankle and was distracted by the cold temps.  The horn went off for our start and I fell into the single file line of runners as we started the longer loop.  Once we made our first descent, the trail widens and I was able to break free from the pack and started running.  Wow, I felt great. My legs were refreshed from the taper and the snowfall over the past weeks had actually made the trail easier to run.  The roots, stones, and ruts were covered with packed snow making footing a little easier.  At the pace I was comfortably running this was sure to be a PR.  

I was 3 miles into the race and surprised that my ankle had not loosened up.  Actually, I was becoming more aware of the discomfort. I pressed onward with my heart rate in my prescribed zone and moving swiftly along the trail at a PR pace.  At the first aid station I downed a Kona Punch Powergel that was on the verge of freezing. The consistency was a lot thicker than normal and it reminded me of ice cream. I washed it down with two cups of ice cold Gatorade and hit the trail.  The cold hit my stomach and caused a little abdominal cramping that went away as quickly as it presented itself.  No worries rounding the lake and heading back towards the start.  

The bulk of the return to the start/checkpoint is uphill, some easy to run, other parts were walk run. The return takes a loop on the Pine Grove trail. This is a relatively flat section of trail that attracts a lot of hikers and runners. The surface was snow packed but a little uneven from all the foot traffic and it really started working on my sore ankle.  At this point, the discomfort was tuning into pain.. It is slightly over a 1/2 mile to the start as you exit the Pine Grove trail. I kept running but I walked up the rocky incline just short of the start and made the run into the start/check point.  

The start/checkpoint aid station marks the beginning of loop number 2. I took in another Kona Punch Powergel, two cups of Gatorade and made the first and only mistake of this race, leaving the aid station.  I was injured, the discomfort in my ankle was now painful but I didn't want to face a DNF so pride overruled commonsense and I ran out.  This decision would haunt me for the next one hour and nine minutes. At this point, a PR race was no longer a reality.  

As I ran out across the snow covered field to the trail I had rationalized that the pain would go away and the only place that I had to worry about was the unpacked snowy trail in front of Happy Days Lodge. This uneven surface would be difficult to run with my sore, unstable ankle and I gave myself permission to walk through this section. At the halfway point of loop two I was struggling with the pain.  It was making me nauseous, my eyes water and my run turned into walk run.  However, I figured if I pushed on running I would be done quicker. I made my way back towards the Ledges Shelter and ran in for the finish at 2:37:21. 

I hobbled around my house Saturday night, and restlessly slept through the night. This race taught me that pain is pain and should be acknowledged. My pride overruled the need for self preservation and I can only hope that I haven't caused any permanent damage to my ankle.  The coming week holds a break from running, a trip to the foot and ankle doctor, and a return to the pool.  R4R, see you next year.