If you want it, you have to train for it.....

This was the message Annette (Drill sergeant instructor) delivered in Spin on Wednesday and on Saturday, I understood exactly what she meant...I took a week off after my 12 mile run on the 26th.It was a light week on my training schedule and a heavy week at work. I was exhausted mentally and physically and needed the break. My "break" continued and I only logged 9 miles this week before my long run on Sat. The training plan called for 14 miles. I wanted 15. 15 sounds sexier than 14, doesn't it? So, I'm in Orlando at the in-laws and do everything right on Friday. Good meals, no beer while poolside, found a trail to run and to bed early. Up at 5am, out the door at 6:30. Should beat the heat. Wind up driving around for an hour looking for the trail and once found, looking for parking...there was none to be found as the park district locks up the parks, I assume to keep teenage kids from hanging out. Thank God they didn't lock up the parks in Arlington, Tx back in the day, hell, I got to second base at one of Arlington's fine parks (Just kidding Mom)...at any rate, drove back to the Stever's and hit the road at 7:45. Sun was up and the temp was close to 80 already. Rainstorms overnight caused the humidity to be close to 90%.

I decided to break my run into 3- 5 mile "sets". First set felt good. It's a hilly neighborhood (small hills according to my m-i-l,but hills are hills) and I managed the hills pretty well (Luckily, Annette was at the top (in my head) making sure I didn't walk one of them!). Due to the heat and humidity, I figured I should be safe and take a 1 minute break between sets. Found the flat part of the neighborhood for the second set and was getting through, Sun was now beating down on me (no clouds, no shade) and the temp was approaching 90. I was struggling, but getting through. Finished the second 5 and knew that the last set was going to be a struggle. I was low on water and had to start rationing. A half mile in, my "road crew" found me and delivered water. I grabbed a bottle and downed it...mistake...and then filled my water bottle with a second. 4.5 miles to go...c'mon Pat! I had nothing in me and wound up taking several walk breaks over the next few miles, sucking down my water too much too fast. I sought out shade where ever i could find it, even just shade from the prarie grass that only reached my calves. Tree and the kids found me again with 1.5 to go, again, I downed a bottle of water and tried to get my legs moving again. I decided at this point to stop at 14, hit the training plan. After another break, i dug down and finished the last 1/4 mile to get to 14. Tried to start 1 more mile and my body said NO! 14 was it and while disappointed in my time, number of breaks and not getting that last mile, 14 is a new personal best and I am proud of it.

On a side note, I am the new Curt Shilling. Check out the shoe...yes, a little irritation on the left heel drew blood and left a reminder to me of this painful run.



I made several mistakes today. The first, no way I should have gone out as late as I did. I knew that, but decided another day poolside without a beer wasn't an option, so I had to do it...is that wrong? Sucking down the water when delivered was also a mistake. I had a good re-fuel plan during the run and it was working. Downing so much so fast hurt me and I gave it all back to mother earth when I was done. And most importantly, I didn't train properly for this run. If you want it, you have to train for it...lesson learned. I will be ready for 16 in 2 weeks and I will have better results.