No Caffeine, No Water!

So last week was 9 this week is 10! Last week I felt great, this week my body is feeling it. I am able to physically and mentally run these distances so I feel prepared, but the aches are setting in.

Running 10 seemed daunting. I don't know why, I ran 9 the previous week and it is only one mile longer, but still I was nervous. One of my coaches, coach dad (my other being my sister), gave me some energy beans to try on this run. Not bad. They are like big jelly beans and they tasted pretty good too. But water is key. Knowing this, I planned to have my husband bring some water to me so I wouldn't have to carry it. I told him a certain corner and about how much time he had but our wires crossed. Once again the construction got in the way and I had to turn around and modify my run causing me to be at the corner a little sooner than expected, and he brought it to the wrong corner! So if you can imagine I was a tiny bit thirsty!!! As I was running I saw a sprinkler (not sure it is really called that) in a farmers field that was spraying out on the road just a tiny bit. So I ran off path to the sprinkler and danced around in it! It was like a shower because they are so-o tall and lots of water in pouring out. Very refreshing!! Well I noticed just a few yards up the field there was a farmer in his truck laughing at me. As I ran by he asked me if I liked the water and I told him it was awesome, thanks!

I kept running knowing I was more than half way there. By this time I could feel my stomach start to cramp. I had taken a power gel before my run to get me going, but it had caffeine in it and I think that the caffeine was making me sick. Still running I got to mile 9 had to stretch and gather myself. My knees, hips, and stomach aching I gave myself another pep talk splashed some more water from a canal on my back and kept running. At 9.5 my stomach had had it! Luckily my sister in law lives at this point so I ran to her house and used her facilities! She was gracious and gave me some cold water and I ran the rest of the way home! I know, I only a half mile to run but when you are hurting a half mile seems a lot longer.

I finished. Two new blisters adorned my toes my stomach aching more than my body, however, I felt good! I didn't feel like crashing on the couch and taking a nap! This seems really weird to me that my body is capable of such a task. I look back to the beginning of spring and summer training for my first 5 mile goal and feeling like that was such a long way and doubted whether or not I could run 5 miles. I have found another reason for running and that is, the challenge! You don't know what you are capable of until you challenge yourself to something new and the satisfaction of completing that goal is unmeasurable!

Thanks for your support on the previous post. It made a difference this week knowing you all were proud of me and backing me on this adventure! AND I am pleased to announce that my running partner is feeling better and Physical Therapy is helping her!! YAY! We ran together for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks this morning. She is trying a long run on Saturday. If everything goes well for her she will be joining me NEXT Saturday for our 13.1 mile race! Good luck Mel!