running: the dawn

Today I ran my first long run assigned to me by my training schedule (so far, the only name suggested is Joe…).  It was not ideal.  Mr. Dawn and I decided to go to Chicago this weekend, kinda at the last minute.  This meant that I would be doing my prescribed training run out of my normal routine.  This should not have made a big difference.  This time, however, it did.

Now, there were many things that were within my control that if I had planned just a little bit better would have made the run much more successful.  Things like:

• Bring my ipod with me on the trip.  I did not do that.  Not sure how I could forget such a vital piece of equipment.  This was my biggest mistake.  Because I didn’t have any means to measure or track my progress I was then forced to run indoors on a treadmill to make sure that I hit my target pace and ran the correct distance.  In addition to that I didn’t have my audiobook to keep me company.  I always listen to a book when there is not a chatty running partner to entertain me with stories and/or listen to mine.
• Pack a gu or two.  I must admit.  I used to be somewhat flexible with what energy sources I use on long runs.  Cliff shots?  Sure.  PowerGels? Why not?  Sportbeans?  Yummy.  But I feel like I have painted myself into a corner and I really like the Gu brand.  It is the consistency that I enjoy and the flavors that don’t make me gag.  A perfect combo.  My brother was sweet enough to give me some of the gels that he had lying around his house, but in the middle of a 13-mile treadmill run I would have done just about anything for some mint chocolate or espresso love…

Somethings were out of my control that made the run a challenging mental battle:

• The treadmills we ran on faced a window.  Directly on the other side of the window was a bush.  If I let myself I would get overwhelmed by the incessant bobbing of the branches.  When I run outside, I can look out into the horizon and not notice the movement as much.  But with something that close, remaining stationary, and taking up my entire view, I found myself battling a little motion sickness.
• The room itself was warmer than I’m used to.  True, on the one hand that probably better prepares me for the conditions I will face in San Diego…however I sweated more than I am used to.  It was just pouring down my face and stinging my eyes.  I had a towel and felt like I had to use it every 10 steps or so.

Here’s how I overcame the challenges:

• I broke my run into three segments: 5 miles, 4 miles, and 4 miles.  I let myself go a fill my water bottle between segments and step outside into the cool fresh air for a few moments.  It was so much easier to count down those segments than it would have been to try to go from mile 1 straight through to mile 13.
• I refused to quit.  There were some moments around mile 6 that I almost gave in to the little voices of doubt inside my head that were listing off all the reasons why it would be ok to step off the treadmill and walk away.  I knew that I would be so mad at myself if I did that, so I stuck it out.
• I stayed hydrated.  There was so much water coming out of me I knew the only way to make it was to replenish it as much as possible.
• I watched the ducks.  There was a cute little duck that was waddling around outside the window.  For some reason it fascinated me and I passed a lot of the time watching it go about it’s little ducky business.

Before today the furthest I had run on a treadmill was 10 miles.  Now I remember why.