Life has been a crazy blur for me the last few weeks (okay months). The last week was absolutely nuts! If we're facebook friends, you know I just passed another test as I work torwards my CPCU (insurance designation). I startd studying a few weeks ago and technically had until December 15th to take my test, but honestly, I just wanted to get it out of the way before this weekend and this coming week! I want to start the Holidays off with some sort of sanity level.
Last week I studied every last moment possible outside of an already crazy busy work week. My brain practically exploded with insurance terminology and business law concepts and history. Pretty exciting stuff. . . I know!
Well, I took a chance by pushing my test to this last Friday versus studying today and taking it tomorrow. I'm so glad I did. I got to come home from work on Friday and NOT think about studying. In fact, I put my text book on my shelf at work and will never allow that book into my home again! I'm so excited to be on my week of vacation (well, 3 days of vacation and 2 days of Holiday time) with no studying on my mind!
Yesterday I celebrated my birthday! What does a runner do to celebrate their birthday? Of course they hit the pavement with their running buddy. Since we're technically on "cut back' mileage and not up to 32 miles (age spoiler!), we decided to split the years so we settled for 16 miles. We knew it would be cold and windy . . . but I personally had no idea how terrible this run would go.
Angie and I have been running for almost 2 years together (stay tuned for our "runniversary" date coming very soon!). We live in Wisconsin, we have run through every type of weather you can possilby imagine. HEAT, Rain, Shine, sleet, snow, sub zero, wind. . . . we've done it all. NEVER have we quit early or stopped before we completed our goal distance. Out of two years, Angie had to skip a planned run one time because she was very sick for several days and there is NO way she could have run the 17 mile run we had planned. Other than that, every run we've ever planned we have made and completed.
Yesterday put a huge dent in our awesome track record. I went to Angie's house to run so we ran 4 miles in town, stopped back at her house for a quick bathroom break and we grabbed our running packs with water and I had a quick bite of my protein bar. I even changed my gloves because my first pair were a little wet from sweating. Good move? Probably not! From there, we headed out of town to run in the country. Usually, this is the best. Minimal traffic and nature help the miles go quickly. Yesterday was a totally different story. We had to run straight into the wind for about 4 miles (felt like 10) and Angie promised we'd have a tailwind on our way back, which would have been amazing, had I made it that far.
About 7 miles in (total), I told Angie my hands were absolutely frozen and I wasn't sure if it was because the pair of gloves I switched to were not as warm. Being the best running buddy ever, she offered to switch gloves with me because her hands were warm. I later realized Angie is just a natural hottie because her sweaty gloves didn't do the trick for my cold blooded body. I even pulled my hands into my sleeves to try and add another layer.
It never worked, I didn't feel my hands for almost another 45 minutes (maybe longer). We were about a mile from a gas station, so I thought we could make it there and warm up before we headed back. All of a sudden pure naseau overtook me and I started dry heaving on the side of the road. I couldn't stop myself. My eyes felt blurry, and I was overwhelmed by pure pain and dizziness. I have never experienced anything like that before.
We did 2 things we've never done before. 1. Stop running before the end of our mileage (WAY before. . . . . almost 8 miles early!) and 2. we stopped before we reached a rouneded mile. 8.6 miles total. I was so upset. We would rather run .75 miles to round it out than end at .25!
Lucky for me, Angie had a relative to rescue us. I couldn't even make it to the gas station. It was all I could to just to keep moving until our ride could make it to us. I honestly just wanted to sit on a curb and fall asleep.
I have NO idea how this happened, but I think it was a combination of a super long exhausting week, running into the wind for a long time and having completely frozen hands. This run kicked my ass! The temps were about 4 degress considering the wind chill. It's pretty dissapointing to cut a run short, practically by half. We have run in colder weather. Lucky for me, Angie cared my about my well being than getting 16 miles in.
I feel like I'm pretty tough, and I can push through quite a bit. I guess our year round running shows we can stick it out through a lot. I just hope yesterday was a fluke and I'll be able to get back out and run strong. I need to regain my winter confidence! We have a long winter ahead of us and training starts in January for an exciting spring!
On a good note, I had a few girlfriends over, including my BESTIE Devon who came for the night, to hang out and we played a great game of cards against humanity. I got an ab workout at least from laughing.
Have you ever felt totally defeated because you didn't accomplish something you know you can do and have done many times before?
I'm hoping for a redemption run this week. Probably not 16 miles worth, but something to redeem myself of that terrible outcome!
~Brooke~
Oh, Brooke! I've been there! For me, it's the heat. I ran this past Sat. morning, and enjoyed it actually : - ). But, I've had to stop summer runs early from being sick, too hot, etc. And it sucks! Especially like you, I have to end on an "even mileage." Hang in there, next week's long run will be great!!!
ReplyDeleteSad Face! I know it killed you, but glad you listened to your body when it obviously needed to stop. Glad you had a fun birthday weekend, otherwise. Oh yeah.. and way to show Biz Law who's BOSS!! :)
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