This was a planned DNF, I just wanted to get some money's worth and see my friends! I really enjoyed the morning and I'm glad I could go. My goal was to run 8-18 miles and stop if I felt any achilles or foot issues. Things were a little patchy, even for it being a planned easy run. It's a much different experience when you're out of shape. For example, I couldn't believe it had only been 1 mile when that first sign came up! =0) What a difference from last summer/fall when those miles flew by, I felt strong, I had immense aerobic/cardio capacity with a well-oiled respiratory system, I had a strong drive to push harder and then dig deep at the end! I know I'm not fat, but I think you all know what I'm talking about when I say that I felt overweight and sluggish with each step...when you're breathing isn't synced, you have cobwebs in your lungs, you have aches and pains because you're not in sleek, tip-top shape (and have extra weight your feet and legs aren't used to carrying :) ). It also did not help to have a cold...my trachea and nasal passageways were constricted. Luckily I wasn't trying to get a PR for a marathon with the cold, I would have been disapointed after all that work!It took about 10 miles to finally warm up!
But...this is understandable considering the demands I've placed on my body for the past 12 months with full-time night shift work and full-time school. So really, I was able to enjoy myself and just be happy to be running. :)
I believe I was at about a 9:15-9:30 pace at the half (I haven't added it up yet). I walked a few times and forgot to stop my watch at the end when I stopped a few times, so the average is a little slow.
I wanted to be at the end to see people finish, which I did and it was so fun! I got on a shuttle bus at the 13.1 mile exchange point and made it just in time. You all did so well! It's an honor to be surrounded by good runners and good people. :) Overall, a great morning and fun way to get in my miles.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/87073310
**The great news is I have not felt ONE ounce of achilles or foot tigthness. This is a great sign after 6.4 miles and 13.7 miles back to back. Couldn't be happier.
**By the way, I was a nursing student at the same place I work as a CNA for the first time last night (at a Newborn ICU). This is where I'm doing my capstone for my final semester until August. It was amazing. With the help of my preceptor, I was in charge of a 440 gram baby!!! That's 0.97 pounds!!!!!! Let me just tell you (and Smooth, you know what I mean), I had no idea that when I signed up for nursing school that I was signing up to be a scientist. But I quickly figured that out my first week of school last year. Seriously, all night long it was all about keeping his blood gases stable (pH, PaCO2, HCO3); titrating doses, keeping his total hourly volume of TPN, lipids, maintenance fluid, and medications at only 2.6 mL in order to not cause heart failure due to fluid overload; maintaining the ventilator so he didn't become extubated; pushing extremely small amounts of narcotics for sedation slow enough to not cause respiratory failure; not moving him in certain ways to minimize risks of IVf (brain hemorrhages) ETC!!!! This is what I'll be doing for my JOB when I grow up, holy cow! I had to constantly keep my thoughts in check...you know the ones that say "you have a life in your hands right now and things could go wrong so fast"...stuff like that. =0) As long as I could do that, I actually had a lot of fun. :) That baby is a fighter and even though he/she might be just a little peanut, I can always feel their little personalities shining through. :) | 