12 Mile dose of reality

Well...by the time I went to bed last night...the writing was on the wall. I knew today was going to be rough. I even bought three new songs on Itunes to try to help me get pumped. When I woke up...I still felt really tired...but not quite as sick. I thought that maybe...just maybe...I could get through this one fairly well....




In hindsight....I should have eaten something before I went out...but my stomach really does not do well with stuff in it so I passed. I didn't want to start using gels until I was up to 15 mile runs because I don't like them. But I guess I should have used a little more common sense and brought at least one with me today.



The first couple of miles were very taxing....much like yesterday. I just kept trying to focus on the current mile and not the last one. The weather in all honesty...was just about perfect. Cold....but not terribly windy. The ice was only a problem in a couple of spots. The miles really just felt like they dragged on today. By the time I hit the 5.7 mark I was completely and utterly spent. Just kept focusing on one foot in front of the other.



The University cleared snow at their outdoor track yesterday and it was open today. As I went slowly past...I thought I should find a restroom. The good ones were locked due to winterizing...but I lucked out and found a port-a-potty. Amazing how little it takes to make me happy on a run. I regrouped a little bit and got back out for my last 3.5 miles.



It took a monumental effort to gut out the last 2.5. My body really just wanted to stop. I tried my go word...and it did help a bit...but the duration of motivation was shorter than yesterday. Just kept trudging on and on and on and on. I had hoped to kick it up the last 2 miles...but I was so drained that I was just happy not to walk.



I did give a bit more effort the last mile...my right calf tried to clinch up on me and that was something new and exciting....but it didn't cause me to stop so that is good. By the time I reached my door and 12 miles....I was completely spent. My legs were sore and shaking...but you know....I did it. Pushed through....got the miles in. They weren't pretty....but they were completed. My time was 2 hours and 22 seconds. So really...not too bad....not too bad. Thanks for reading!