week 14 training recap

The third week of training is complete.

Miles run: 18.7

Meltdowns had: 0... hey, that's progress!

It was a pretty uneventful week of running, including my botched long run on Saturday. But for this training cycle, I'll take uneventful any day. I got to complete 4 runs this week, which is 1 extra from last week.

I ran 4 miles Tuesday in the heat after work, but it didn't feel that bad. I made sure I had electrolytes on me for the run, too. I kept it slow and comfortable and met my friend, Nick, for the last mile, which was great company and a surprise. I did another 4 on Thursday, waking up and starting before 6 AM to beat the heat. The storm the night before brought cooler temperatures, and these miles felt effortless and COOL. I appreciated the ease of this run, considering I got horrible sleep the night before from my dog panicking over the storms.

Saturday, I had 8 miles planned. I started at 10:45 and should've listened to my gut about staying inside on the treadmill. I thought it couldn't be so bad if the trail I was on was primarily shaded, so I packed up my fuel and headed out. I felt fine until mile 4, the turnaround point. I stopped on the trail and weighed my options - I could call my husband to get me and call it at 4. I had 4 planned Sunday, so I'd move my long run and get it done before the oppressive heat and humidity kicked in. As I considered this, a dragonfly appeared before me, buzzing around. I don't get to see dragonflies as much as I'd like, so when I do, I know it's a visit from my Mom. I decided to keep pushing because it felt wrong to quit after that.

Future me— there's a lesson here: not everything is a good sign from your Mom, and where you thought she was telling you to keep going, she probably was actually telling you to call it quits for health and safety reasons. I'll remember that next time, Mom.

I kept trudging along and headed to Bridge Street to pop into the local bookstore, where my friend Emily was working. (Borrowing cool AC and cold water is starting to become a trend of mine). We talked for a little, and then I headed back out. Shortly after leaving, I felt lightheaded and wasn't solid on the ground. I kept run/walking, trying to get closer to home. After another dizzy sensation spread through me, I decided to call my husband and ask him to pick me up at mile 7. Cutting 1 mile off felt less of a bruise to my ego, although a lot of this run going south was my fault. He found me at the trailhead I was passing and shut the run down, noticing I was swaying and wobbling over to him.

I got home, chugged a seltzer, and took a cold shower. I ate lunch shortly after and then took a nap, with a pounding headache. Again, my own fault. I laugh as I write this because I still do this to myself at least once a summer after all my years of running. I completely mess up a long run so badly despite knowing better. I hadn't appropriately hydrated before the run (I'm not counting the iced coffee I drank), had the smallest breakfast (not intentional), and started my run too late and too fast for the heat.

I finished the week with 4 miles on the treadmill today.

Uneventful - the way I like my running.

Here's to a better week ahead with smarter [running] decisions!