But the reality of how tough training can be does keep me grounded and prevents me from signing up to do anything too rash.
On Thursday of last week I ran 5 miles. As soon as I got back to my apartment, I noticed that my fall allergies had kicked in. It took a heavy dose of medicine to get me to function on Friday. On Saturday I was trying to run a longer run of 9 miles (with hills) or 10 miles (with no hills). But Saturday morning I felt like death. So I took an antihistamine thinking that the pros of running on a medicine (even though it sedates me) would still out weigh the cons of sneezing and an out-of-control runny nose. The simple fact of the matter is, it doesn't out weigh the sedation part (though who knows I might've still been in the same boat with all the sneezing and running of the nose). But lets just say, even three miles into the run (when I would've thought my adrenaline would not have knocked out the tired), if it would've been socially acceptable and not cause 9-1-1 to be called on me, I would've laid down on the side of the running path.
I cut that run short at a cool four miles.
(And don't think it was a good four miles I even ran. It was a dragging of the feet walk/occasional jog. And the only reason I even made it four miles was because it was a loop and I refused to give in the first two miles, hence being stuck for another two.)
After a nice long nap and my antihistamine wearing off, I did make it to an Oktoberfest Celebration with Emily in downtown Austin. It was the first year so not too many people. But it was a lot of fun and it only cost us two cans of food! (And lets be honest, I wasn't ever going to eat those two cans. I had high hopes one day thinking I would actually cook up some Lima beans.)
We did take a picture of ourselves enjoying the festival. My favorite part of the picture is the couple just behind my head that seem to be re-creating their wedding cake eating experience. Oktoberfest is a romance festival after all!
Saturday night in celebration of the Aggies win over Tech, we drank until a time I would rather not repeat by typing. But lets just say, my alarm for work starts going off before I went to bed. OUCH.By Monday I was DYING to do my 10 mile run. After one unsuccessful attempt and an over the top night of drinking, I was ready to do that run!
I was so ready to run that I forgot to do some of the usual preparations I like to do before runs, the biggest preparation being eating (those who read Chelsea's blog, you would think I would have learned from her most recent blog!). I, looking back, just didn't take in nearly enough calories that day for doing such a long run. But that didn't stop me (though it slowed me down for the last two miles). I did finish the ten miles! Yay!
But I had to quickly rehydrate with an electrolyte drink, a fiber one bar, lots of water (maybe some lying on the floor, spread eagle style) and a 45 minute bath. I've always known on longer runs when it is cold outside you can loose body heat after the run. It's just never happened to me before (most likely because I was low on energy for this run). But after my nice long bath and eventually a nice big dinner, I did feel much better. Actually a lot better, knowing I knocked out a ten mile run!
These past two days I've spent getting ready for a wedding I am in this weekend. I went to the outlet malls after work today to find a bridesmaid dress (we get to pick our own, just needs to be black). I went to White House Black Market. Best shopping move I've made in some time! I found the cutest dress (that actually fit) that originally went for $128 for.....get this, $20!!!
I then went to Kohls because I had several other miscellaneous clothing items I am in need of buying. Just to put the dress in perspective, I bought a new pair of cotton running pants (my favorite) for $18. Who would've thought I would have to spend the same amount on running pants as I did on a bridesmaid dress???
(By the way, kinda funny as to why I had to buy new running pants. On Monday after my run and eventual recovery, I found that I had run a huge hole into either side of my pants where my legs hit together! Which did cause some major "rug" burn, of sorts. Though I have other running bottoms, none will prevent the burn like cotton pants, so I've found.)
I also acquired a few blisters on my feet and a rubbing rash from my shirt on my chest. But other than that, I'd say my running days are good! No injuries (thank goodness...better stay that way). And a burning desire to keep the good runs up. I actually was a little mad today when I got home and realized my shopping ran too long and I wouldn't be able to run (for fear of the dark).
So as long as I can keep the calorie intake at a good level, the band-aids covering the blisters and the new pants from allowing my legs to rub together; I'd say I'm on a good path of getting ready for this half marathon (which is 18 days away...yay)!!!
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