For about 90 minutes on Sunday, Kara Goucher felt relaxed, strong and confident that she could win the women's marathon at the IAAF World Championships.But there was a problem. The fluid she was pouring into her body every three miles kept coming back up. And because she couldn't absorb the liquid, Goucher's body wilted on a warm day on the smooth pavement and cobblestones of Berlin.
"I have no idea what caused these problems today," said Goucher, by phone from Berlin. "I just don't know. I've had no problems in training. It's just very frustrating. If I want to be one of the best marathon runners in the world, I have to figure this out."
Xue Bai of China used a late surge to separate from Japan's Yoshimi Ozaki and sprint through the Brandenburg Gate in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 15 seconds. Ozaki was 10 seconds back and earned the silver medal. Aselefech Mergia of Ethiopia took the bronze.
U.S. runner Kara Goucher from Portland competes in the women's marathon on the final day of the world championships in Berlin. Goucher, suffering from dehydration, was the top U.S. finisher. Goucher, who trains in Portland and was third in her two previous marathons -- in New York and Boston -- was considered a gold medal contender. But her body didn't cooperate.
She experienced similar problems in her marathon debut in New York last November, but thought she had found a solution that suited her -- diluted Powerade mixed with electrolyte replacement gel. She had no problem taking in fluids in training but had switched flavors, from "berry" to "lemon-lime" because she preferred the taste.
However, a disturbing pattern began Sunday at the aid station at 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). A mile after she drank the fluid, it came back up with an acrid burp. It happened, at intervals, five more times and she didn't take her drink at the eighth and final opportunity.
And because Goucher couldn't get the fluid to stay down, she became dehydrated. In the 19th mile, she began to fall behind the race leaders.
"When I bonked, I bonked," Goucher said. "My back started to twinge, my whole body was resisting me. It happened quick over the course of two (kilometers). As hot as it was today, you want calories."
Goucher remained positive over the final seven miles, hoping that other tired runners might fall back to her.
"I really wanted to be in the top five," Goucher said. "I tried to keep moving but it wasn't happening."
She struggled to the finish in 10th place, crossing in 2:27:48. She was the top U.S. runner.
"We will learn from it and figure it out," Goucher said.
She finished in 2:25:53 in New York, 2:32:25 in Boston.
Five seconds behind her was U.S. runner, Desiree Davila, in 11th place.
"We've got to keep experimenting," said Goucher's coach, Alberto Salazar. "She's been fine during workouts but races are a different situation. Obviously it's something -- anxiety or her body's reaction -- is affecting her ability to hold down the fluids."
Salazar said that for her next race it is likely that Goucher will rely on water. That could be a while. Goucher has indicated that she may take a break over the next 18 months to start a family with her husband, 2000 Olympian Adam Goucher.
"I'm ready for a break," Goucher said. "I learned so much in New York and Boston, and here. I can't be unlucky forever."
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