Don't be alarmed! Rance is fine. He just had an extended rest during his first attempt at a full 26.2 mile marathon!
Rance had a goal of running a marathon by the time he was 40. He turns 41 in a couple of weeks so a few months ago, he started training for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.
He trained well and felt ready for the run today. But his body didn't cooperate! He started feeling weak around mile 13 and was wondering what was going on. He had run further than that while training and had been fine. His stomach started to hurt and he attributed that to the PowerAde. He made it to mile 17 and was feeling very weak. He decided he needed to test his blood...as you all know, he is diabetic but he thought he had prepared well. He found a medic and asked if they had a blood tester but he didn't. The guy found someone who did and then found Rance again and took him to them. They were ambulance workers. They tested his blood and it was 23, which is REALLY low...like passing out low. But he didn't pass out, just felt weak. They gave him some glucose tabs and some glucose gel and tested his blood again. It had gone up to 40 something but they wanted to keep him until it went higher. By this time, LaRae & I were on our way to see him at the finish line but instead we tried to meet up with him along the race. But his blood sugar level wasn't going up fast enough for the EMT ladies so they hauled him to the ER, against Rance's wishes. He knew that if he just gave it some time, the glucose tabs & gel would kick in and he would be able to finish the race. But they wouldn't wait. So we had to meet him at Methodist Hospital...where he posed for the above photo...
He was so disappointed. He just kept shaking his head while we were in the ER. He stayed there for a couple of hours which was ridiculous because his blood level went to over 300 because the EMT's gave him so much glucose gel. The doctor finally released him so we took him back to the finish line so he could turn in his timing chip.
So...I knew that he wasn't going to give up that easily...but we didn't want to be stupid either so I went with him for the remaining 9 miles once we got home. 
Chloe met us about five times along the way with Gatorade and water...and of course, a few photos for memories! 
Rance is my hero today! 
5 comments:
Bummer! Those marathons are tough! Trust me, I know!
Dang that is such a bummer but at least he is ok. I noticed his T shirt says monumental marathon, maybe that has taken on a new meaning. Definitely a memorable one:) Miss you guys!!!
Poor Rance, Glad you got to finish with LaDawn.
No kidding, I think this is inspirational. What a great example to your kids that 1) never give up, and 2) if something doesn't go the way you planned, find another way.
It's good to be married to your hero.
Awesome job Rance! Kudos for finishing against all odds. :)
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