My goal last night was to run 8 miles.
Earlier in the day I was on the website, Map My Run, and planned my new route. I was determined to do it because it was such a gorgeous day. I grabbed my iPod and my Forerunner 101 and headed outdoors. I told my husband that I wasn't taking my keys with me and if I wasn't back in two hours that he needed to look for me.
Within minutes of starting my run, my legs were already very tired. I started my pace slow on purpose to get me through the entire eight miles, but the pace was slower then normal. I decided to continue with the run. I thought about stopping to walk, but I didn't want to do that.
Around mile 4, I was getting very thirsty. On runs, I never bring water or Gatorade with me because I don't have anywhere to put them. If I get thirsty, I stop at a college that is on my route and get a drink of water. When I was near the college, I didn't want to stop running because if I did it would be hard for me to start again. It was at that point that I decided to skip the 8 mile run.
I hated the thought of not going the full distance, but I wanted to get home to my bottle of grape Gatorade. On the second half of my run I passed the street I was supposed to turn left on to continue the last four miles. When I ran across that street, I did have a thought just to make the left turn and do it. But with my legs as tired as they were, I knew I wouldn't made it without walking. I know taking walking breaks during a run is OK. But I don't like to do that. When I go running I want to run the entire distance without walking. I need to prove to myself I can do it.
When I arrived home, I looked at my Forerunner 101. It said I ran 5.1 miles. Not bad, just three miles short of my goal. With that I walked down the driveway to the backdoor of my house. I really wanted to drink that Gatorade. I noticed that my husband's truck was missing from the driveway. He was not back from Lowe's yet. I told him before my run that if I wasn't back in two hours to look for me. He probably thought he had more time.
Without house keys, I was locked out of the house. And locked out from my precious Gatorade. I really needed a drink of water. I walked back to the garden hose in my driveway. I turned on the water and drank from the hose. It was really gross. The water was extremely warm and it had a funky taste to it. But it was better then nothing.
I waited for my husband to come home. About 10 or 15 minutes later he pulled into the driveway. I said to him that I cut my run short because I was thirsty. Since he wasn't home, I told him I drank from the hose. He said he was sorry that I had to wait outside and drink from the hose. He suggested that I should buy one of those hydration backpacks. I thought it was a good idea. I know it will help out during a long run on a warm day. It won't give me an excuse to cut short a run because I was thirsty.
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