This morning i slept in. It was glorious – i haven’t been getting enough sleep lately. I decided i could sleep in since the weather has been pleasant and it would still be tolerable to run mid-day.
So i slept until 11. By 11:20, i was running.
The last few weeks i have driven myself over to Shelley Lake and run the two-mile lap around the lake multiple times in order to get in my mileage. Today, instead of driving, i RAN to the lake.
It’s a two mile stint from the house to the lake. The first mile was a typical first mile for me, trying to get into a groove with my breathing and waiting for my muscles to warm up. Mile 2 was easy, because it was all downhill, from Six Forks to the Lake. I was not looking forward to having to run back up it later.
At the beginning of Mile 3 i took a quick water break, then ran a partial lap. I was really tired, and starting to think maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to run without eating anything. Too late now. So, 3.5 miles into this run, i figured it was time to try a Goo. Energy Goo or Energy Gel is a mouthful of calories & caffeine to give you energy. I’d never tried one, but this seemed like a good opportunity. It was weird. The consistency was… well, gooey. Not exactly tasty, but it has a not unpleasant orangey flavor. I washed it down with some water, and kept going. 4 miles to go.
At 5.5 miles, i’m finished with the lake and heading back onto the road for the arduous journey uphill. I can’t say that i feel particularly energetic, but i’m still moving so i guess that’s something. As i start to run up the first incline, the edges of my vision start to go black.
I switch to a walk immediately. The sun is beating down, and i can tell my problem is my breathing. I force myself to breathe deeply, cursing the cigarettes i have smoked this week. I walk for a spell, but eventually i convince myself that i’m going to try running uphill again. Focusing on breathing, i persevere. I did take a couple more breaks, but i ran most of it.
The last mile was easy in comparison, and then i was done! 7.5 miles, and i’m starting to believe i will actually be able to do this half-marathon.