This Week's Running -- 5.2, 5.3, and 6.1 of Bridge to 10K

For those of you who know me well, you know I'm afraid of goats.  You might wonder why I have goats as my picture.  I suppose you will have to read on...

5.2 re-run --As you read, I did not have a good 5.2.  It was so defeating.  Monday I was leery to run again, but I had to try.  I wondered if I had reached my limit, unable to push myself further.  As I ran, I was thrilled at how well it was going.  I was waiting to crumble, and it never came.  HOORAY!  As I ran, I was able to enjoy something pretty fun.  As you know from previous blog posts, the park I run around has a separate section devoted to a dog park.  Because of this, plenty of people bring their dogs to the not-dog park.  (And pretend it's the dog park, which I will complain about until my face turns blue.  haha) 

This day, it was like the scene from 101 Dalmations where Pongo is watching the dogs and owners walk by, the owners looking exactly like human versions of their dogs.  Today was like that!  I almost laughed at the first man, with his Pug.  Then the athletic girl and her Boxer... The portly fellow with his Chow.  And finally the white, largely poofy haired lady with her large Poodle, hair cut the same as her own.  It was awesome.  Truly. 


5.3 - The Stomach Cramp of Death  --This run started out amazingly well.  I felt like I was on an upward trend in my running.  It felt so good.  I ran and ran.  During one of my laps, I saw a little black mouse cruising around the parking lot, so I ran over toward it, only to discover it was an ENORMOUS black spider.  *willies*  I am not afraid of spiders, but this one was alarming large.  Literally the size of a small mouse.  *shiver* 

Over the course of the run, I weakened, but then a second wind kicked in.  I had a smile on my face.  I was nearing the end of my last lap.  I knew I was going to have an amazing finish.  Then suddenly a side ache kicked in.  HARD.  It was a terrible surprise!  I couldn't believe how bad it felt.  I tried the tricks I've learned to rid myself of side aches.  I lifted my arms up, stretching out my sides, I slowed to a walk, the pain increasing, and finally, stopped.  I doubled over in pain, not wanting it to show, but unable to keep the pain from showing outwardly.  I finally understand the term "side-splitting", and understand the photos of marathoners who have crumbled from a stomach cramp.  It was hideous.  (And, while lessened, lasted through the whole next day.)  I walked home, sad about the end of my run. 

6.1 - Nearly Graduated -- I woke up this morning, and set out for my run about a half an hour before the sun came up.  It was SO COLD at 51 degrees.  My brother in law, a super duper marathoner, has told me that you are only cold for the first mile.  This day I put it to the test.  My hands were chilled, and I was COLD.  But he was right.  After the first mile, I was fine.  I didn't notice.  Is that a good thing? 

I was supposed to run 60 minutes straight today, which is the length of the final run of Bridge to 10K.  It is amazing to already be here, even with the two weeks I had off from my hip injury.  I was thrilled at how well I ran.  The first lap, I noticed a man with two dogs.  We were the only ones in the park, and it made me nervous.  Slowly people started to trickle in, and I felt better.  Safety in numbers, right? 

By lap three, the sun was coming up, and I was able to see better.  I discovered that the man, with the two dogs, also had about 100 goats.  I noticed that the trailer he had hauled also had goats in it, and when I ran by, the goats would crane their heads out to watch me.  It totally made me laugh!  Why had I not noticed them before?  It was hilarious!  And I'm afraid of goats!  I was happy to make my fifth and final lap, where I asked the man (while running) what the goats were for.  I learned that it was Goat Days.  There is a farmer (or a few farmers?) who bring their goats to my town to clean out the brush in the parks once per year.  The kids love to watch the... kids (haha), and this year, they are giving out samples of goat products, which makes me happy since my wee one can't have cow dairy, but CAN have goat dairy.  Ending my lap, I was glad to be exiting the park as all of the soccer teams were arriving.  I ran home, thrilled to have successfully ran for 60 minutes without breaks.  I felt amazing.  I had increased my speed gradually throughout the run, and knew I must have ran at least 5 miles.

I was bummed to discover I "only" ran 4.6 miles, but really, it's an accomplishment.  I know it is. (I just have to increase my running 1.5 miles an hour to truly graduate.  That stinks.)  Over the next two (three) runs, I am excited to see if I can increase that distance.  Genuinely, I am really amazed that I can run for so long without wanting someone to shoot me.  I actually like it, and look forward to Monday.

In the mean time, I'm going to see a man about a goat.