Sunday, August 28, 2011

10 Miles of "What the Hell?"

I don't know how many of you saw my update to my last post, but in case you missed it, here is what I wrote:

"Update: Did my 10 mile run in 3:4:10. All I can say is OWWWWW! I started off doing well but by mile 7 my calves were in so much pain I had to walk the rest of the way. I ended up getting dangerously close to being dehydrated even though I had a bottle full of coconut water, 2 GU packs and had stopped into Dunkin Donuts for a large cup of water"

 Yes indeed. I finally hit double digits with my long run. And I can honestly say, it was the worst run of my entire running career (as short as it may be). I started off doing pretty well, up into mile 6 I was feeling good. Then, the leg cramps began. And with them came some stomach trouble. My stomach would gurgle with hunger one minutes and then I'd be fighting back nausea the next. WTH? I downed my second GU pack at mile 7 (having had the first at mile 5) and drank the last of my coconut water, but it didn't seem to do much at all. My legs were still fighting me- and winning. 

I think there were a few wrenches in my plan for this run. Firstly, I ran during the WRONG time of the day (11:30am... cause it's not hot around noontime, right?). Even though I loaded up my water bottle with coconut water to hydrate and replenish, it just wasn't enough for how fast I was sweating everything out. Also, my body was just too physically exhausted before I even started running (dancing and rehearsing for 4 hours a night and only getting 5-6hrs of sleep a night will do that to you). Seriously, I was up before 7:30 am every single day this past week, and as we all know, that is not like me at all. And considering I wasn't getting home from rehearsals until 11pm or a little later, I wasn't falling asleep until 12am or so. I was pretty tired.

Once again, I did see some interesting things on my run. During the first few miles, I ran past an empty pregnancy test box, which was lying next to an empty condom box. I guess it was negative so they decided to celebrate. Yay for protection, right?  I also ran past, what looked like, a dog poop mine field. Seriously, it was every where, I couldn't even go around it. So, I played a very dangerous game of hopscotch for a couple of minutes, trying to not to get my shoes all mucked up, and decided to write the following letter to the owner.


"Dear Pet Owners of CT,

Please learn to curb your dogs and pick up after them. Bringing a small baggie with you when you walk your pet is not a difficult thing to do. And as much as I appreciate your attempt at fertilizing nature, having Vietnam War flashbacks because of your strategically placed dung mines is not something I intended on doing today. Please take responsibility of your pet, and their waste, and help make the roads a little bit cleaner for those of us who enjoy and participate in exercise outdoors.

Thanks in advance, Kristin."

But you know what? Even with all the issues I had; the hot weather, the leg cramps, the doggy doo,  and this having been the Worst run EVER for me,  I'm not at all discouraged. I'm actually more determined to make my next long run even better- once I can get my legs to function properly again.
Who is this crazy determined person inside of me?! I kind of like her :)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you had a less than amazing run! We ALL have bad runs every now and then when nothing seems to go right, but I'm sure you'll have a better one soon that will totally make up for it! You have a great attitude about it so I'm sure that good run is going to be soon :)

Unknown said...

10 miles is a long way. I just completed it last week. It took me a week to recover! I would suggest compression sleeves and a full day of rest before a long run. your doing great!

Lisa said...

Wow girl, that's quite the update. I'm glad you are doing better today, but how scary for you!!!! 10 miles is really far and it's super rock star of you to gut it out especially with those issues rearing their ugly head - that said - you.have.to.be.careful. I don't think any run is dying over! Be careful - take plenty of time to recover.

LOVE the condom box next to the preggo test box - NUTS!

Anonymous said...

Hey... craptastic or not 10 miles is great! Yay for double digits! I saw a couple of interesting things on my run this weekend too... a regulation sized football. out in the middle of nowhere on the side of the road. And one of those perosnal sized Heineken kegs like you but at the supermarket. Not a beer can.. A beer KEG. Congrats on your 10 mile milestone!

Amy Smith said...

I just did my first 10 mile run too this past weekend. I did a race on the rail trail in York, PA. It was tought, but it feels great to know I did it and that I can finish a half marathon. My time was about 14 minutes per mile, about 2 minutes per mile slower than my 5k time, but I am happy with it. Congrats! This is a huge milestone!

Marissa said...

sorry about the rough run :( bummer.

Ugh, the dog poo...seriously, pet owners need to listen up! I know when I'm running, I'll have to dodge the poo all over the trails and that's NOT right! I love dogs, we have a yellow lab but I don't leave her mess out for the world to see and step in! LOL!!!

Lisa said...

Hey girl, hope you've recovered from your 10 mile run and are feeling better.

I wanted to tell you exciting news. I gave you the Liebster award!!!!! I couldn't think of someone who i thought deserved it more than you!!! I love your blog!!! Details are on my blog!

I hope you can have an awesome day!!!!!