I have found I am a huge baby. Yup, a full-fledged, 26 year old infant. At least when it comes to running. Three weeks ago it was "I can't believe I have to run 5 miles!"...this week it was...."7 miles - Hal Higdon you are out of your mind!"....
Alas, Saturday came just like it always does, and with it, the promise for my mileage to dominate me, or for me to take charge.
I have to admit, I was tired on Saturday. Though I hydrated, and spent Fri night at the house, working on a presentation, I stayed up late (12:30), and got up around 7am. So, I wasn't exactly sleep deprived, but I wasn't well rested either. I had to present a two hour program for a high school leadership series here in the area. I have done this program for 4 years, so it has definitely become a part of my life. However, the idea of standing on my feet for 2 hours running a workshop, then getting home and running 7 miles, didn't exactly seem, well, appealing.
Like I said, I am a baby.
The workshop went quickly, and I found myself suiting up in my running shoes and such before I knew it. (Bodyglide all over my feet, band-aids covering my little toes). The only question was, how many layers? It was 58 at the time, but breezy, and it was my first long run outside. I was running around a park that had a shady half, and I worried about getting a chill. So, I layered 2 long-sleeved tech shirts, my running tights, and a vest. Bad. Idea.
By the time I was on mile 3.5, I was sweating profusely. As in, you know those old men who run shirtless and get sweaty in a gross, non-sexy way? I was sweatier than them....ugh. Dislike!
Since it was my genius idea to wear said vest, it was my punishment that I had to ball up the polartech nightmare and carry it, clutched in my fist, for the last 2.5 miles.
I'm not going to lie - I was not a happy camper. I had to walk two hills, my heart rate was getting too high, and I was wishing I had my hydration belt with me. Alas, when I saw the last turn before the end of my run, I got really excited, and just kept going. I only ran 6.6, and then another .3 for a cooldown, but hey, that's 6.9 miles. That is exactly 5.9 miles more than I could run two months ago. Wahoo!
After my run - all my tensions went away. I think the biggest thing about running is you have to get over the mileage. Seeing 7 miles on your google calendar is scary for someone who hasn't run that far in over a decade. But at the end of the day, if you tackle it like 2 x 3.5 mile runs, it isn't as frightening as one might think.
This is getting wordy - so I'll just leave you with one last tidbit. The park I run in has a stretch that borders a highway. I drive this highway to work every single day, and I see the runners on the trail. I always think to myself "Wow, those gals had to run a good distance just to get halfway around the park - and they are still going!" I was just amazed that they were out there, running, and they had to keep running if they ever wanted to get back to their cars. Well, this past Saturday, as I was hot and clutching slash hating my vest in hand, I looked out to my left, and saw the highway. I realized I was one of those runners.
It has been a few years since I felt like anything was possible. This past Saturday was a welcome reminder that we control our own destiny.
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