Chicago Marathon, 9th October

[Dr. S]

Glad you're ok. That must have been so scary and surreal...

[MINITEE]

I was a bit shocked when I heard that it it up to 25C (airport location, likely) and they only gave you a Yellow Warning ... while last year, and the infamous 2008 (??) got Red Warnings by 10-10:30am, if I recall ...

2007... been there, have the jacket That was like a war-zone with the police, the helicopters... it was surreal.

But That's all I could think about when I was out for a hike on Sunday, was how stinking hot Chicago was going to be, and that I hoped that they did not have a repeat of 2007...

Glad you are OK Killerz...

[getfit]

I'm glad you're okay. There will be other races, but your health is what's most important.

[mcshame]

Glad your ok, that must have been very scary to wake up in the hospital.

[fingerboy]

That's too bad... there will be another sub 3, I'm sure.

FWIW, Wicked race though. Happy you're still on this side.

[AndyM]

Wow, that is very scary. Glad you are ok.

[AjaxRunner]

Unfortunately, my race did not end well. The first 40k was fine. Tough, and hot, but doable. So i was running, and was at about the 40km mark then next thing.....

..... I wake up in hospital! Severe dehydration and heat exhaustion. Spent the day there taking fluids intravenously and really being completely out of it!

I prepped well, rested well, hydrated, took on electrolytes, gels etc as i had planned meticulously over the summer, but it somehow went wrong. Projected finish time: 2:59:49!

I heard about the guy that died. So while my experience was frightening and somewhat disturbing, i consider myself lucky.

I had 10 marathons/ ultras under my belt prior to this, some in similar conditions. One of those days, but my first ever DNF.

That's certainly not a race report anybody wants to read (or write for that matter). I hope that with the benefit of hindsight there is a lesson to be learned, or allow for an adjustment to be made in hydration or nutrition strategy.

Get checked out and remember that without valleys there would be no peaks....

[eme]

Wow. Very glad that you are okay. Scary stuff indeed!

[Marg]

Recover well Killerz. Very glad you were able to write this report (versus the alternative) however definitely not something I would wish on anyone to have to experience. Be well and take care of yourself.

[Killerz]

Glad you are OK...that's not exactly the way to "bring it home". Any warning signs that you can remember...using hindsight to help for next time?

Thats the thing, Nick, i really dont know what went wrong. Well i obviously was dehydrated, so thats clearly what went wrong, but i thought my execution was good throughout and i didnt have warning signs.

I hydrated at every water station, sometimes twice at the water station.
I cooled off with water/ sponges when available.
I ran in the shade when available.
I ran at an even pace with the pace group.
I ran within my capabilities.
I took in gatorade every 2nd/3rd waterstation and had 3 gels, as per my race plan.
I wore a hat and sunglasses and high factor suncream.
I ate well, slept well and was well rested.

So, obviously not enough of the fluids and in the right proportion for my body to cope.

Interestingly, fellow Irishman Martin Fagan (elite) crashed out with heat exhaustion at 41km. He was on course for 2:11. Maybe its an Irish thing!?

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.....

[HCcD]

Glad you are OK...that's not exactly the way to "bring it home". Any warning signs that you can remember...using hindsight to help for next time?

Thats the thing, Nick, i really dont know what went wrong. Well i obviously was dehydrated, so thats clearly what went wrong, but i thought my execution was good throughout and i didnt have warning signs.

I hydrated at every water station, sometimes twice at the water station.
I cooled off with water/ sponges when available.
I ran in the shade when available.
I ran at an even pace with the pace group.
I ran within my capabilities.
I took in gatorade every 2nd/3rd waterstation and had 3 gels, as per my race plan.
I wore a hat and sunglasses and high factor suncream.
I ate well, slept well and was well rested.

So, obviously not enough of the fluids and in the right proportion for my body to cope.

Interestingly, fellow Irishman Martin Fagan (elite) crashed out with heat exhaustion at 41km. He was on course for 2:11. Maybe its an Irish thing!?

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.....

Can we assume that you will be back in 2012, to get your Revenge on Chicago Marathon ???

[Killerz]

I dunno, if i ever do chicago again, i wont be going for a PR!

[Strider]

Scary as $hit man. Glad you're fine now, but jeeez that is unnerving. You did everything perfectly, text book, and still you crashed. The ONLY thing i can think of, were you getting enough electrolytes during your pre-hydration (the week leading up to it). Recovery well and enjoy the cooler days of fall.

[fingerboy]

you still running this weekend?

[Killerz]

you still running this weekend?

Thats a good question! I'll decide on Saturday.... Need to check with doctor and also need to see how i'm going. I will be backing off the pace big-time (as was my plan anyhow), and i think i would be planning around 4 hours or so- perhaps tuck in with canalrunner and co.

Scary as $hit man. Glad you're fine now, but jeeez that is unnerving. You did everything perfectly, text book, and still you crashed. The ONLY thing i can think of, were you getting enough electrolytes during your pre-hydration (the week leading up to it). Recovery well and enjoy the cooler days of fall.

Quite possibly. Who knows?

[Nicholas]

Interestingly, fellow Irishman Martin Fagan (elite) crashed out with heat exhaustion at 41km. He was on course for 2:11. Maybe its an Irish thing!?

I was going to ask if it was something more like that...either not being used to the heat or the long-term effect of too much Guinness. Not that there is such a thing as too much Guinness....

[Killerz]

Maybe not enough Guinness

[abirdd]

Maybe not enough Guinness

Seriously Killerz, I am catching up tonight - and your report has me floored. I'm so thankful you came out of this unscathed. I'm wanting to say "an chuid eile suas" (but doing Scotch to Irish, that might not come out perfect). Hopefully you'll get what I'm saying

[Killerz]

Maybe not enough Guinness

Seriously Killerz, I am catching up tonight - and your report has me floored. I'm so thankful you came out of this unscathed. I'm wanting to say "an chuid eile suas" (but doing Scotch to Irish, that might not come out perfect). Hopefully you'll get what I'm saying

Got it, cheers!

Níor dhún Dia doras riamh nár oscail Sé ceann eile.

[abirdd]

Maybe not enough Guinness

Seriously Killerz, I am catching up tonight - and your report has me floored. I'm so thankful you came out of this unscathed. I'm wanting to say "an chuid eile suas" (but doing Scotch to Irish, that might not come out perfect). Hopefully you'll get what I'm saying

Got it, cheers!

Níor dhún Dia doras riamh nár oscail Sé ceann eile.

So true... glad you're taking to heart

[VeloCarrie]

Maybe not enough Guinness

totally agree with this.