Well here goes, one of those embarrassing moments in everyone's life. I had the worst case of dysentery at Exchange 33, along the highway (Yes, on the highway...Oh God), and at Exchange 34. I was so sick and then was getting stressed because I was leg 35 and didn't know how I was going to do 7.4 miles with every ounce of food, electrolytes, liquid gone from my body, and could not figure out why I got sick. What Happened?

I felt good for my first leg and set a new PR. Dinner went okay, but I ate something I am not used to eating...breaded chicken strips that I guess were deep fried (I guess I didn't listen to JR's lecture the Saturday before). I didn't sleep more than 1 1/2 hours, but who does. I did get real cold in the middle of the night and could not get warm. I had a cinnamon raisin bagel, zucchini bran muffin, a banana and part of a Cliff bar for breakfast. I was drinking a lot of water all throughout the relay, and drank Gleukos on my first leg.

I did walk Leg 35, but slowly (was road kill to several people and didn't care), and collapsed in my sister's arms at the exchange. My team mates literally carried me back to the car and filled me with Gatorade. We made it to Seaside, crossed the finish line with our last walker, turned in the scoring sheet and didn't even stay for the celebration. We went to the hotel, ate a little and I went to bed. I didn't even get to see my husband cross the finish line with his HTC team.

I am so disappointed in myself. Did I just eat all the wrong foods??

Kathi

You may have eaten some bad chicken. Who knows. Nobody. We can only speculate.
But the fact of yur finishing the race is a wonder, under the circumstances.
In the future, it may be wise to stick to food that you know for sure is not contaminated. Personally, I avoid fried foods before running.
But don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong. You just got sick at that time, thats all. Just bad luck.
Most people would probably have dropped out. You are great!
Try salted peanuts next time. They give you sustained energy along with the salt you may need.
Also, it may be wise to not mix too many different foods during a competition. keep it simple.
I am sure that even my most passionate naysayers would agree with me on that.
Yours is a great story. Thanks.
HO HO hO

Repeat after me.
No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new No new is good new....
I also learned this the hard way with my first marathon and some fried onion rings the night before. I had never had any food problems before, but on marathon day, it was no the time to start! And I do not typically eat ANY fried food, so I really think that was it.
I wound up running from HoneyBucket to HoneyBucket, terrified I would not make it! I was so relieved to be finished when I crossed the line, so I could just stay on the toilet.
Sorry you felt horrible.
Word to the wise: Stay with the bland and unfried.

Kathi,

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience! I know how much you were looking forward to it. You can now use this experience to modify your race plan for the marathon. It sounds like you've identified the culprit and know not to do that again! However, I have to give you props for finishing anyway. I probably would have shriveled up on the side of the road and then call a cab to take me home.

I'll re-iterate what Jennifer said: No New is Good New.

Did you decide which marathon you're doing? Good luck with your training, you get another chance to try out your nutrition plan on the 21 miler!!

Sharon

PS. Fried foods are never your friend.

Sharon,

You are absolutely right and I NEVER eat fried foods . Why in the name of _ _ _ did I do that then. Maybe I was trying to choose between a burger or fried foods? Which is the lesser of two evils? Burgers sit badly on my stomach too. Oh well I learned a valuable lesson; experience is the better teacher!!

As far as finishing, well I owe that to Portland Fit and all their training. I am in good shape (now) and I have learned that the race is mostly mental. I was determined to finish and not let my team mates down. Portland to Coast was my second achievement in my goal for a trilogy this year.

I am going to do the Royal Victoria Marathon (I'm all signed up), AND I am looking forward to a successful 21 miler.

See you on the course.

Kathi

Knowledgeable Runner: "In the future, it may be wise to stick to food that you know for sure is not contaminated. Personally, I avoid fried foods before running."

That was my big mistake, but I have definitely learned my lesson. Thanks for your advice.



Jennifer: "I wound up running from HoneyBucket to HoneyBucket, terrified I would not make it! I was so relieved to be finished when I crossed the line, so I could just stay on the toilet.
Sorry you felt horrible.
Word to the wise: Stay with the bland and unfried."

Yep, I definitely know what you mean by running to the Honey Bucket...been there, done that. No New is Good New. I got that one now, FOR SURE!!!

Kathi (A very happy Portland to Coast Team Captain and Finisher)

Kathi,
Early on Saturday morning, I was standing in the Honey Bucket line in Mist. The woman in front of me began telling me that her stomach was always upset when she did HTC and that she spent the whole time running to the bathroom. She blamed it on being nervous. Right before she "trotted" to the next vacant potty, she concluded by saying that she hoped that she was pregnant next year so she wouldn't have to suffer like this again. I hope you find this as amusing as I did!
Pam

Pam,

I would rather have the trots for one day than be pregnant. Yikes And that is coming from a women who loved being pregnant, but that was 22 years ago also!

I am now wondering if it was a case of the flu, because two of my co-workers were sick with the flu that same weekend. Hmmmm I'll never know. But I am still staying away from fried and unknown/untested foods in the future.

Smiles to you.

See Ya this Saturday.

Kathi

Kathi,

Congratulations in finishing the race! I believe there was a bug going around last week. Our baby had it, then my wife, and then I had it in the morning of HTC. Of course, I lost everything that was in my stomach. Basically, I survived on water, Gatorade, bananas, apple sauce, and bagel chips. I came very close to giving up on the race but was able to complete my three legs in amazing times. I guess the adrenaline really helps, and the fact that you don't want to let your teammates down. Thanks to a great team for their encouragement.

Next time, please skip the fried chicken. Even now that I feel better, that doesn't sound good at all :-)

Run on,

AC Clemisom
(Think Green)

Congratulations to you too Clemisom. I feel your pain. But that was great that you were able to finish nad actually be able to do very well. Good training.

See you at the benchmark.

Kathi

Hey Kathi,
How could you have been pregnant that long ago when you only look 25??

Thanks for the compliment, but I am 51 years old. That picture was taken in Cabo 2 years ago this November (when I was 49). I feel young, I act young, therefore I Am Young. If you see me on those early Saturday mornings...I don't look like that, but then most of us don't.

Hee Hee

Kathi