Half Time & Great Resistance

I noticed in my last post about the Kaiser Half Marathon that I had not recorded my time which ended up being 2:11:07 though my Garmin recorded 2:11:10. Regardless, no time can take away how I feel actually placing in a half marathon!

Today, my schedule had 6 miles to run. I didn't think that was bad since I'd rested yesterday. But throughout the night, the wind blew so hard shaking the camper all night long and it continued this morning. Checking the forecast, I knew I wouldn't have long before the rain was to set in today and tomorrow. So, without further ado, I donned my shoes and clothes and headed out. I left the camper and ran through the park to State Park Road #2, turned south to the beach and went east to equal 3 miles then back to the camper for a total of 6 miles.

This was probably one of, if not, the most challenged runs I've had. I'm not talking about a few wind gusts here and there. It blew so hard continuously until I stepped back into the camper and said "done"! My legs were literally burning at the 2 mile mark, they were working so hard to push me through the strong wind. I was running as best I could and actually felt like I was frozen in time, not moving at all. The noise from the wind was also very loud. I always run with my iPod but today the wind was so loud I couldn't hear even a sound from it on the loudest level!! So, this was a no brainer...off it went.

Two things I should have done but didn't...don't ask me why, this should have been a no brainer, too. One was that my hair was down and I should have pulled it back and worn a cap. I really struggled with it getting in my eyes and blinding me. And, two, though it was overcast, I should have worn my sunglasses. I always wear them but I didn't today. They serve more than the obvious purpose of keeping the sun out of my eyes; they protect them from glare (which I suffer from a LOT), they hold my ear pieces for my iPod in my ears, they keep my hair out of my eyes and they keep road dirt from getting in my eyes. I was trying to get on the road fast enough this morning so as to not talk myself out of running today.

When I got back I noticed how terrible I looked. And it is today that I noticed visually just how much of a workout I had had ...and it wasn't from heat and humidity. My face was soaking wet with sweat and a little red, too.

I want to learn to "push through" the tough moments and times as I really think it will strengthen me mentally and physically. I'm so glad I love to run and am glad I do.

Happy trails to you...until I write again...(wonder if Roy was a runner)