My face does get really flushed when I run, but this time I just felt like I was overheating and I didn’t think it was going to get any better. After mile four, I stopped and walked twice and then started again, but realized it wasn’t to be. Thankfully my mother’s house is along the route at about 4.5 miles—I walked there.
I was pretty upset about pulling out, but when I checked the weather and saw that it was 75 with 92% humidity, I didn’t feel so bad. I had actually seen a Kenyan masters runner who was “jogging” and had seen an elite woman bail at the first mile. A friend later told me that she had seen another Kenyan jogging and one walking! Apparently there were a number of runners who collapsed on the course.
An article on Boston.com had an interesting quote from Frank Shorter (1972 Olympic marathon gold medalist and frequent Falmouth runner): “I couldn’t tell you how many Falmouths I’ve run,’’ Shorter said, “but I can tell you this one was the hardest.’’
I know I did what was best for my body, and I don’t regret my decision. I don’t think I am going to a race again until the fall weather sets in. 
I have felt great in the weeks leading up to the race, so I don’t think it was a fitness issue. Maybe I am just not cut out for summer racing!
Now for the good part—I had a wonderful time on the Cape. On Saturday, my friend and I went to get our numbers and check out the expo. I got to hang out with the ZOOMA ladies (Brae and Brooke) at their expo booth. I also got to chat with Bart Yasso at the Runner’s World Half Marathon booth.
After the expo we embarked on a mini culinary tour of Falmouth, hitting Cape Cod Bagel for lunch before driving the Falmouth Road Race course. We then did some shopping—I found some great birthday gifts in the clearance section at Caline for Kids. After working up an appetite shopping, we stopped at CupCapes for some delicious cupcakes! CupCapes makes organic cupcakes that are pure awesomeness. They had Thin Mint, Red Velvet, Rocky Road, Hot Fudge Sundae and more!
For dinner we went to my favorite pizza joint in Falmouth Stone L’Oven. It’s a great place to get a craft beer on tap and some excellent pizza. I got one of their featured pizzas (breaking away from my almost 100% veggie diet!).
The pizza had roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, baby spinach and gorgonzola cheese over a creamy pine nut and garlic spread. The toppings also included apple-wood smoked bacon, olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. It was such a different combination and SO GOOD!
So the weekend may not have been the best on the racing front, but it was definitely a culinary success!
Who else raced Falmouth? What was your experience?
Way to listen to your body. My body took weeks to recover after Boston’s heat and I would never do that again. I wish I would have seen your restaurant suggestions last week, I would have loved to try some of those places when we were on our way home from Martha’s Vineyard.
When you head down that way again, let me know and I will make a list for you. 🙂 I was bummed to not finish, but I know I did the best thing for my body. There were quite a few people with heat stroke (as I am sure there were in Boston!).
Ive never raced Falmouth but always wanted to. I think you made the smart decision for your body! No sense pushing through something and risking injury/your health.
I started getting cold chills at mile 3 & struggled from mile 5.5 to the finish…when Jeff saw me at mile 6.4 he said that my face was pale, not bright red like it usually is when I run…thinking I had the beginnings of heat stroke, thankfully was able to finish without walking but am still recovering! I saw a lot of people walking & felt like it was the hardest run of my life! I’m glad you listened to your body! There’s always Falmouth in the Fall!
Ha, Beth–I totally thought of Falmouth in the fall when my friend and I were sitting in the kitchen after the race. So great that you finished and glad you are okay. I have heard stories of quite a few people who didn’t make out so well. 🙁 We should get together and run again some time this fall!
I am so sorry you didn’t finish Jess! But good for you for even running in that god awful weather in the first place! You made me feel a little better b/c my husband and I bagged it when we woke up to the rain. We even tried to run 6 on the bike path but it was a pathetic adventure to say the least. We could here sirens all day at my Mom’s house… that was not a race for many. Way too hot! You are so smart to listen to your body!
Thanks Meg–it was pretty nasty! Good for you for getting out there despite the muggy weather. We will have to get together with the boys some time in Falmouth. We are down there all the time 🙂
I didn’t run Falmouth this year (it’s been awhile…) but I did wake up and think of all the runners! I took a walk that morning with my husband and it was hot and sticky!!
That’s my favorite pizza at Stone Loven – I just ask for no bacon 🙂 My mom actually says it’s better withOUT the bacon – so take that and eat it … haha
Ha–I should have just gotten it without the bacon too. Love their pizzas and I have always had great service there. Be glad you didn’t run this year! 😉
Summer racing is so tough! I’m sorry about the dnf- I’m sure I’ll have one at some point, too. You took a positive spin on it, you’re right, there’s a first time for everything! 🙂