What do you mean I can’t have a nap…

… during a marathon??

18. Oh I cannot lie.

18 sucked.

In my opinion, today does not count.

First of all – due to the fact that neither of us has won the lottery, my running buddy and I had totally messed up schedules this weekend!! Therefore, she ran her 18 miles Saturday while I was at work, and well, I attempted 18 miles today.

Let me start with my day – well it started at 130 am – when my shift began - I prepared for a flight and talked to my crew and flight followed them until 730am when they finished up early, because they are awesome like that.

After a short nap, I started out on my run. My 1^st four miles were GLORIOUS!! Seriously, cloud 9! I couldn’t believe it. After that it got ugly. Very ugly. At 4 I stopped at Starbucks and used the restroom and refilled my water. At 6 I stopped at a friend’s to refill my water again.

At 7.5 I stopped to text my running buddy that I had curled up under a shade tree somewhere in the city limits. See, it was 70 degrees. Up from 61 when I started. Well above the 29 I’ve grown accustomed to running in. Not complaining here, but holy heat batman!!!

At 9 I was tired. Very tired. I was half way!!!

At 10 I walked. I was hot. I had to stop in the shade a couple of times to try and get my heart rate and breathing under control. I was frustrated. I’ve done 10 miles before. More times than I can count on one hand. Ugh!

At 12 miles I returned to my friends. She was gone. I made myself at home, sharing an ice cube or two with the dog. I stretched and relaxed and cooled down for a bit. It was time to keep going.

I’ll admit I walked most of the last six miles. At 13.5 I was pretty sure that time had stopped even though I had not. It had hit 74 degrees at this point. Oh how I miss the 30’s.

At 15.75 I realized my “alternate route” was much further than planned. I was nowhere near home. I was in a community that was shaded (hence it’s draw), but SO confusing to navigate. At one point I was convinced I was trapped. HUGE PHOBIA PEOPLE! I was momentarily panicked! Then I realized I had gone (referencing Garmin here) 15.something miles. I was still in my town. I wasn’t lost. Even if I had to go back and take an alternate route, I could find home. Disaster averted!

16.46 came around and so did the tears. I was frustrated. I should have been done by now. What a failure. How will I ever survive 26.2 miles when I feel so weak right now? CRAP! There are children lying in the street. Pull yourself together. What will people think of a 6 foot woman with sunburned elbows crying as she wanders the streets? (30 something years, never sunburned my elbows before…)  Yes, there were children, on their bellies, lying in the street. There was a garden hose and a sled involved. My sunburned elbows and I just kept going.

I reached home at 17.28 miles. Really?

I refilled my water and filled the bathtub for the dreaded ice bath and went back out to finish up. Around the block I go, averting the neighbors who told my friend I’m a “sweet girl, but we really hope she mows her lawn this year,” as they are out mowing their lawn…

Anyway – HOME!

17.92 :o/

Urg!!! I continue down the street a little further and turn back, ending in my driveway at exactly 18.00!

I’m SO glad to get a re-do on this “run” next week! I will start at 4 am if that’s what it takes to avoid the heat.

Oh – and please forgive me – but I’m praying for rain for Memorial weekend.