Tecumseh Trail Report

I am heading to bed soon, but here are some first thoughts from me about this day.

No blisters - no face plants - seriously trashed legs - DNF at mile 23.
I have been in Brown County a lot over the years and I knew that there were killer hills out there.
This marathon used some of those hills - some big ones and then a LOT of up and down steep ravines - just a brutal experience, but I am glad I did it. At mile 13, the hill was just awesome and defeating - with a false summit to boot.

There was a 4:30 cutoff at mile 23 - I made it by less than 15 seconds - literally.
At the mile 18 AS, I called it quits - I was hurting and I did not think I could make the cutoff.
They called HQ and a van was sent for me and others farther back - a minimum 30 minute wait.
I sat down and ate while talking to a crying girl.
She was running for a friend with cancer and was determined to finish.
We talked and she said she would get me to the cutoff.
So on I went and I did feel better.
I stayed with her for quite a while and she was awesome and pulled me on.
I thanked her and told her to go for it because I knew I could not make it.
But I found it hurt less to run and made the cutoff, but knew it would be slow going to get around that lake to the finish. I know you might be thinking - Charles - just do a 5K and finish. but I had had enough punishment and I don't have to prove anything. I am actually proud of myself getting up when I was in despair at mile 18 and continuing. I feel satisfied and proud.

As we drove away I saw the girl - Melissa heading to the finish - I jumped out - ran to her and we hugged - with her sobbing on my shoulder. I whispered in her ear that she was magnificent and an incredible support to me and explained my finish. I am very emotional typing this and I cried telling my wife about it. I am still quite touched about it. I will get her address and send her a thank you and a gift for rescuing me. I hope to help someone like that some day.

I was in no way prepared for what I did today - not one inch of hill training - nada - and I knew I was not really ready. But I learned some valuable lessons today that will serve me well in the future.

It was great meeting some forum members at supper last night.
I just wish I could have been able to talk to Tim and Wendy more, but that can be solved pretty easily!

Here is a photo from last night:

Congrats, Charles on enduring the better part of one of the most challenging courses around! Sorry I couldn't be out there with you guys today...I developed nasty food poisoning from the food at the restaurant! Sorry we didn't get to talk more with you, too..but you and your wife should come over for dinner at our house sometime!

I was sorry to hear about your DNF, Charles. I wasn't that far ahead of you at that point and was hoping you'd come ambling along and we could walk it in to the finish line like a couple of grizzled warriors.

I hear you about the course. It was startlingly more difficult than I expected (and trained for). You did a great job pressing on despite the challenge.

It was great meeting you. I hope we can meet up again in the future.

Hey Charles - bummer about the result, but you did what you could and should be proud. I guess that course is a tough SOB from the sounds of it. Sounds like you and Melissa were good for one another. Good reminder to respect the distance of a marathon - there are no sure things when you are reaching those distances. Just another good training run for you on your journey - you are doing so well and I'm proud of you!

Thanks Wendy, Mark and John!

A short pre-race dinner video and an exclusive - Mark's actual finish!
Wendy feels ok at this moment!

Great job to all of you that even attempted to run Techumseh!

Even without making it all the way, that's a heck of a day Charles. You did a great job toughing it out for as long as you did. It looks like a memorable day, helped my meeting up with some of our friends here, and running with the woman you wrote about. Thanks for the report.

Wow, Charles! You really took on a beast of a marathon! I'm glad you feel good about your accomplishment, you should! It's not just hills, it's hills and terrain. Thanks for the photo and video! I always look forward to your race reports, they're so down to earth without any candy coating. Thanks for that and, hey....congratulations!

Well done, Charles.

You proved once again that the road (trail) is shortened when it's shared.

Charles, sorry to read about your DNF. I was unable to stick around to see you and Mark come in at the finish...had to get home for a party. Yes Tecumseh is a tough course but for some reason I bet you will be back to try it again.

Wow, Charles - congrats on tackling the tough course! No worries about the DNF, you inspired and assisted melissa more than you know. Cool videos!

Yikes. Sorry to hear about the DNF but like you said in the video, you did the smart thing. That sounds and looks like a bear of a course.

Way to go Charles! You've had many great accomplishments this year and this one is no exception. I wish we would have had more time to talk at the dinner as well. Lets plan on a dinner sometime. Be proud in your accomplishment. This is one is brutal and you'll end up a stronger runner as a result. Recover well and we'll stay in touch.

Hi Charles,

You are awesome for going as far as you did! that marathon and trail is brutal brutal! I was worried about you when you mentioned you were doing it. You are very brave to tackle it,and I think you were totally meant to be there to get that girl through ............! Awesome job you are my hero in my book it was long enough! Your next race will be a walk in the park compared to this beast ! You had a great year of running ,and maybe sometime we will meet up at a race.Enjoy your Holidays and let yourself rest. I couldn;t imagine how much you hurt right now ow ow ow

Thanks folks!
Actually I only feel a little bit more sore than after the Monumental.
I expect to be a little more sore in the morning, but we will see.
My next race will be January 28 at Eagle Creek at night.
I think I will do the half, but I may go ahead and do the full to get as much experience as possible at night.
I am thinking about going into a bit deliberately tired to get the feel of a long ultra - fatigue and darkness.
No running this week - some walking for sure.

I am in the running for a free treadmill with our local running group on Saturday - I would love to score that for winter use. There will be up to 54 names in the hat, if all show up. I plan on running mainly trails most of the time.

I do appreciate the comments and encouragement!

I've read that this is a helluva tough course. Thanks for sharing the report.

It was great to meet you and your wife.

Great to get as far as you did. I figure you were where you needed to be to be an inspiration to others.

Nice race Charles. No shame in calling it at 23, especially having just run a November marathon. My marathon Personal Worst was Utah Valley last year - only 5 or 6 weeks after running Eugene (and about an hour slower than Eugene). And going into that one, I thought I had recovered.

It's just a 5k left. How could you?

Well, I was told on pace for sub 3 in the last mile and missed by 10 seconds.

Only us who have done it know how hard it is for the last whatever distance. Otherwise, everyone would be sprinting hard in the final stretch in the Olympic 5000meter race.

Be proud, my friend!