Somehow, I thought it was a good idea to skimp on dinner the night before and breakfast the morning of a race. Even worse, I under packed my drop bags and didn't have enough food to sustain me through a 25K race.

My thinking was, "Oh, it's only a 7.5 or so loop with a stop midway. I'll be fine."

The humidity was 92% and the temperatures neared 80. I drained my little 12-ounce handheld before each way station.

By the end of the last loop, I was dizzy -- don't use one earbud for a long run, kids. It will throw off your equilibrium -- nauseous and a total wreck.

I threw up a few times but was mentally saved by a guy doing the 50-miler who was having his own issues.

His conversation with me kept me distracted enough through the last half mile that I managed a finish.

Motto: never underestimate a race.

Kick in a buck or a few for ALS

Photo: part of the catacombs at Bluff Creek Ranch