I feared my unique relationship with Martha was terminally damaged and if so, I was heartbroken.
In Glyptodon (with which Schistopleurum is identical) the tailsheath consists of a series of coronet-like rings, gradually diminishing in diameter from base to tip. Daedicurus, in which the tailsheath is in the form of a huge solid club, is the largest member of the family; in Panochthus and Sclerocalyptus (Hoplophorus) the tail-sheath consists basally of a small number of smooth rings, and terminally of a tube.
I thought it was far and away the most exciting event during an otherwise terminally dull race.
But if you're really terminally curious, you can check out Section C.6.1
These people end up feeling a great desperation in their quest, either feeling not worthy enough or terminally blocked in some way.