2 out of 4 marathons complete. The result? DNF

On Saturday, June 4, 2016, my constant companion and running partner, Kurt Adams, and I embarked on our mission to complete a quadruple marathon.  In that, we failed.

The Yankee Springs Trail Run is a weekend long event that features a 10k, half marathon, full marathon, double marathon, and quad marathon (new this year).  Three years ago, Kurt and I completed the double, five weeks after finishing our first 100 miler.

It's a 13.1 mile loop, with about 1,875 ft. of gain/loss per loop.  The quad started at 5 am.  We ran the first two loops in 5:40.  In hindsight (always 20/20), that was too fast.

We felt great after the first marathon

By the time we started the second marathon, it had started to heat up.
A note on my lack of heat acclimatization:
Three weeks prior to this run, on my last long run, I wore a tech tee, long sleeved shirt, rain jacket, and gloves.  So is Michigan weather.  Needless to say, I only had 13 miles under my belt which were ran in any kind of heat.  My last two runs, the week before the race.
This was another contributing factor to my DNF.
My lack of heat training also played havoc with my hydration.  On the first two loops, I was drinking Gatorade.  Beginning loop three, I switched to plain water.  The lack of sweetness was a great relief.  However, I was already a mess.  My stomach was full to the point of sloshing.  I was constantly thirsty.  I took an S! Cap at 10 am, and another at 11:50 am.  They didn't seem to help.
We walked the majority of loops three and four.  We finished our second marathon in 8:20.  That sums up this story succinctly enough.
The only cutoff for this race was that you had to start the last loop (loop eight) by 8 am, Sunday morning.  That means that we had to do the next three loops in 4:20.  And that meant that we would have to do the last loop in four hours.
I found myself having to stop a couple of times on each large hill on loop three.  The heat took most everything out of me.  That and the math I just mentioned led me to the decision to drop.  I had zero desire to continue on slogging the course.  I told Kurt to go ahead, and drove home.

Reflections

Of course the 24 hours following a race, successful or not, are no time to make rash decisions.  I started off my 100 mile journey going 2 for 2.  I am now 2 for 4.
Dropping out of a race while still able to move forward is the worst feeling ever.  My family and non-running friends tell me to feel proud of accomplishing what I did.  All I can think about is what I didn't do.
I'm already signed up for Hennepin Hundred.  That will be my last attempt to sub-24 hour a 100 miler.  I'll have all summer to train.  The race is October 1.  I'll give it my best shot.