Heart O' Dixie Race Report

For 31 years this race has been held in east central Mississippi.  That means it was first held in 1979 under much different conditions.  I wasn't there, but I listened intently as it was described by my friend Ted who was there and has done the race 20 something times.  No chip timing; bikes lying around on the ground by the lake made a transition area, steel 10-speed Peugeots and Schwinns, drafting allowed; tennis shoes for running.  

The race is point-to-point, and the points are of historical importance.  It begins at Lake Tiak O'Khata near Philadelphia, Mississippi, the locale of the infamous slaying of the civil rights workers in the '60s.  It ends at the Neshoba County Fair about 30 miles south, one of the oldest remaining camp house fairs in America.  Unique and traditional.

This was my first time to run HOD.  Most Jackson area folks stay Friday night at a motel nearby or the Lake hotel, where rooms are reserved for years and handed down like passes to the Masters Golf Tournament.  Ruthie and I chose the other option and awoke at 2:30 AM Saturday morning, hit the highway at 3:30 and arrived in the parking lot just after the first volunteers were gathering in the darkness; mostly teenagers in matching race T shirts.

Kay Vee setting up in a dark T1

I felt good for the race, ready to swim my best, back off a notch on the bike and save something for the 7-mile run in the hills.  The weather was kind to us, bringing overcast skies and a little light rain for the bike leg.  It was still very hot and humid, but the sun never made its way out of the clouds enough to cook the strength out of us.  

The staggered swim start allowed me room to post a good time, 2nd of 13 in my 55-59 age group.  The bike leg was somewhat aggravating because of the heavy traffic along the state highway, mostly made up of vehicles following the bikes to Neshoba County and T2. I rode as planned, 3 tenths MPH slower than my Heatwave pace, stumbled through T2 and out on the run course.  I felt good.  I think I smiled, enjoying legs that weren't screaming for rest.  (Thanks, Coach Kay Vee)

I ran a pace exactly as planned, slow by most standards but within my limits.  I also learned how to pee in my shorts while running. (Thanks again)  No big deal since you're dripping wet with sweat and you can strategically dump a few cups of water over your head to flush.

The race ends at the fairgrounds harness race track.  Runners enter the track and make a full half mile circuit before crossing the finish line.  That was pretty cool, but I was quite ready for the end after 3 hours of heat.  As I walked into the crowd of finishers and found Ruthie and some Gatorade, I was checking my condition for the dreaded dehydration symptoms, a sudden profound dizziness when my legs stop moving. The dizziness began so I kept walking around, drinking cup after cup of fluids.  There was a tent set up for massages and first aid, manned by doctors and staff from the local hospital.  Ruthie alerted one of the doctors that I was having problems, and he stopped me and asked if I would like him to check my vital signs just to be safe.  I agreed, sat on a table and had my blood pressure checked - 90/58.  No surprise to me since I had stopped moving the legs and the water and Gatorade weren't yet completely absorbed.  

He wanted to start a fluid IV and I consented, and then things went almost black. 

 I laid back and gathered myself, they started another IV, and after lying and sitting for 40 minutes or so, I was back on my feet, able to enjoy fellowship of friends. 

Kay Vee, Becky, Me

As I mentioned earlier, Wifeunit Ruthie made the trip to this race.  I had told her I needed a support crew to go back and pick up my gear at T1 and my bike at T2.  I was very impressed with her success at locating everything and getting my bike loaded.  Thanks Rufie!  You are an official "Sherpa" now.