Just Doing My Job

We're in Arizona visiting my parents. I spoke with Dad a few weeks ago...

"I have a 15-mile training run scheduled for the first Saturday we're in Scottsdale. I'd like to run on trails if possible. Anything close to your house?"

"We have some GREAT trails two or three miles from the house! I'll send you a map."

The map arrived in the mail. I studied it and was concerned about the topography and elevation gain. I was hoping for relatively flat trails. I called Dad.

"I'm looking at this map. Looks kind of technical, Dad."

"You'll be fine. Those are GREAT trails!"

We arrived in Scottsdale after ten hours in the car with our three boys and the dog on Friday. I had one beer, swam, ate some dinner and was in bed by 9:30 PM. The alarm beeped at 4:00 AM, I got up, drank a cup of coffee, and ate half a peanut butter sandwich. I loaded my water belt, and drove to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

The Death March Time Line

5:05 AM - I began running on the trail marked "easy". The trail was not easy. It turned left, then right, then left, then left, then right every 5-10 feet, was very rocky and I was already climbing steadily. I determined it would be very important to pay attention to the trail so I wouldn't trip and fall.

5:40 AM - A Gila Monster was sitting in the middle of the trail 15 feet in front of me. I stopped but the lizard didn't move. Did Gila Monsters move lightning-fast or sloth-like slow? I decided to run around the creature. As I passed, it rapidly stomped it's feet and hissed like a cat. Scared me to death  I screamed and my adrenalin surged for the next three miles as paranoia now joined me on the run.

7:05 AM - Still running, hot, hungry [even though I was consuming gels] and feeling less paranoid because I finally saw a few people on the trails and assumed they would save me from venomous animals.

8:00ish - Still running, unbelievably hot, but almost finished. I had fallen twice, my left knee was bleeding and I was dusty and salty. I was unable to run many sections of the "GREAT" trail so I was out longer than I wanted to be. I'd forgotten how intense the Arizona sun is in July.

??? - I don't know exactly what time I finished, but I ran all 15 miles. I drank lots of water and thought I'd properly recovered. I called Mom to let her know I was okay and I was going to visit Dad at the golf course where he has a part-time job.

9:00 AM - I visited Dad. We drove around in a golf cart and I met all his buddies. I felt fine. A little tired, but fine. Dad suggested I visit Mamaw on the way home. I said, "But I'm gross." He shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head, indicating it didn't matter.

9:45 AM - I arrived at Mamaw's group home. Sadly, she didn't recognize me...

"Mamaw.  It's me, Chrisy."

She smiled but I could tell she didn't know it was me.

"I'm gross, Mamaw. I've been running...and I have braces now. See?" I showed her my teeth.

"Who are you running from?"

"No one.  I'm training for a marathon."

We visited for about 20 minutes and she finally knew who I was. She commented many times on my braces.  "My, you have a mouthful," shaking her head.

10:15 AM - I told Mamaw I would return a few more times over the next week with Chris and the boys. She seemed pleased. We kissed good-bye and I was on my way to my parents' house.

10:25 AM - Something went very wrong. I felt disoriented and dizzy while driving. I felt like I was going to vomit or have diarrhea or both. I pulled over and called Chris.

"Hey, I'm not well. I'm not sure where I am and I think I might faint."

Chris and Mom arrived 15 minutes later. Chris drove me home and helped me into the house. I told him I just wanted to lay on the tile floor.

After resting for an hour on the floor and drinking Gatorade, I began feeling better. I've experienced heat exhaustion before, but never three hours after a workout. I think I was salt and potassium deficient. I actually felt a little embarrassed because I know how to avoid these situations.

As I was laying on the floor shivering with chills, Mom brought me a pillow and a blanket.

I said, "Thanks for coming to get me Mom. I feel like an idiot. Sorry for the drama."

"That's okay. It's your job."

Comments

[Jane]

Oh, you have to love the mothers. :-)

I am always amazed by your sticktoitiveness, Chrisy. I think a lot of people who run may have given it up in that kind of heat. I know that if I saw a reptile, the only place I would have run is back to the car!

[Connie @ Young and Relentless]

I would have turned back when I saw the monster! I hope you are feeling better now.

Drama Queen....

[christy]

OMG! Gila monsters? Heat exhaustion? You win a medal for sheer determination. I seriously can not believe you woke up at 4am on vacation to run 15 miles - that is insanely impressive. I am so glad you were able to call your family to come get you and they helped take care of you. How are your legs/feet? Take it easy this week!!

[Corbie]

That made me laugh out loud. Every time my car runs out of gas on the freeway (and it happens often, though I know how to avoid these situations :), my mom gives me the same 'it figures' routine. Great story.

[Alix]

Poor thing! I can't imagine running for 3+ hours anywhere let alone the Arizona heat. God bless you and I am so relieved you didn't get heat stroke.

I had a similar experience just walking not too long ago and had nobody to call. Scary feeling. Somehow I managed to get home, but it was a close one. Felt faint, dizzy, nauseated... the whole shebang. And that was just power walking.

I'm very impressed about your marathon training. I could never do that in a million years. Go Chrisy!

[Robin Larraza]

Holy cow! You poor gal! I will vouch for the heat here in hell, uh Arizona. There is no cool time of the day. I even send the kids out to scoop the poop in the yard in short shifts...its stinking hot!

I would be happy to meet you for a water or gatorade today if you have time :)

Love,Robin

[Kate Coveny Hood]

You are very brave. If I saw a gecko, I would probably turn back. I don't do critter. Big ones are completely out of the question.

The heat exhaustion thing sound scary - but it's nice that you had mom to take care of you!

[Sherri]

Oh jeez, please be careful!

[pam]

OMG! You are one determined woman! I'm awed. Pleeeeeeease..... be careful and take care of yourself, Mom and Chris might not always be available! We have a date to meet a speedball when you return! :)

[Mrs. D]

Gotta watch that heat... my husband got pretty sick last summer working outdoors in the 90+ heat/humidity and now it doesn't take much to do it to him again. I guess once you have an episode then it happens again easily so watch it.

Have you stopped by my blog lately? Have pictures up :-)

[Da Goddess]

I always said running was evil. Now I have proof.

Glad you ended up okay.

Give Mamaw a hug for me.

[Tristan]

That pic is priceless. Glad you're okay ;)

[tinsenpup]

That's awful! Poor thing! And I'm pretty sure that gila monster was actually less scared of you than you were of it. In fact, I suspect gila monsters aren't scared of much. Maybe just bigger gila monsters.

[mary]

4.00am? 4.00am?

That on its own is enough to give me heat exhaustion.

[tysdaddy]

Yeah, I'm sweating already.

I experienced heat exhaustion once, at an all-day outdoor music festival. We had our spots up front, and were able to wander around for drinks and whatnot early, but as the crowd thickened, we were stuck. By the end of the day, I was so dizzy . . . seeing things . . . couldn't sweat. Perhaps it was heat stroke. I can never remember the difference. I was red, disoriented, and crazy tired.

It was scary.

I wish my mom had been around. As it turned out, we ended up pulling over into a field and sleeping the night away . . .

You take care of yourself . . .

[Middle-Aged-Woman]

I LOVE that Mamaw's first reaction to your running was to assume you were on the lam. Apparently there is more to your past than you are sharing!

Love,Claire

[Sam]

if you were on the lam, you know now that you could probably out run your chasers! I'm glad you called someone....funny how it hit you so much later.

[Bobbi Olson]

See, stuff like that is the exact reason I don't run.

Glad you're feeling better!

[Punk Rock Dad]

Far be it for me to give running advice but it looks like your wearing a blanket as part of your outfit...prob not a good idea given the heat and all.

[Jennifer]

Wow. That's some strength you've got in your legs.

[Lady Fi]

That last line is pure classic! I'm still laughing because that's the kind of thing I say to my kids when they are noisy, dirty, wet, filthy...

Goodness me girl - please tell me you are going to relax tomorrow morning!!

[Jannie Funster]

Oh, Sweetheart, take it easier. PLEASE.

You must be one determined individual, tho, I gotta say that.

[debbie]

Oh, bless your heart. I am so glad you had the foresight to call and get them to come get you. I shudder to think what might have happened.

[vodkamom]

you are my new hero.

Can you run a few hundred miles for ME??????

[thedemigod]

BB! I mean HONESTLY! I support you 110% for running the marathon a.k.a. just-shove-wood-splinters-under-my-toe-nails-please but I hope you're taking care of yourself too!

PS: I just started wondering if there is a sex marathon somewhere and what the training program would be for something like that.

PSS: I'm really behind on my reading. :) Hope you're ok!

[Patricia - Spiritual Journey O]

Heat exhaustion is definitely no fun. The last time I got it I was too sick to know that I probably needed to go to the emergency room. I swore I would never do that again. Could altitude sickness play apart in what happened? Don't know if you were near mountains or not?

[Anastasia]

You are amazing and crazy! I can't believe you kept going...15 miles! And in those conditions! I'm so in awe of you. This morning I got to the gym and the TVs were broken and I thought about turning around and going home...I didn't...I actually did my little 20 minute workout and was so proud that I did it without my crutch!

I LOVE that picture of you. I can totally feel your exhaustion and your mom's comment...priceless.

[Captain Dumbass]

Er? It's your job to be an idiot or your job is stressful? It was probably the damn Gila monster. He hissed some kind of airborne toxin at you.