May 26th, 2010 – 6.5 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

Tonight’s run was really good. It didn’t start out all that well. Jordan had a friend over to play, but I couldn’t stay. I *had* to get this run in. The first mile was as usual. Just miserable and I was thinking I would make this a short workout instead of the planned long run. But at the end of the first 4 minute segment, I went ahead and took my walk break, which meant I was definitely doing the long one. Ah well.

By the time I reached the 1.5 mile point, the run was feeling pretty good. I had just reconstructed my Workout Music playlist and it seemed that I was really going to enjoy the new list.

At about the 2 mile point, I realize bladder voiding has become a MAJOR priority!!!! But I have another 4.5 miles to go! What the heck am I going to do?! This has never happened to me before but it wasn’t surprising. I had taken about 20oz of water with the foulest tasting orange GU about 20 minutes before I left home and that 20oz of water was fighting to get out of my body!

At the halfway point, I pass a 7-11 and I figure they have to have a public restroom, so I stop my watch and run in there. The cashier tells me that they don’t have a bathroom and I wonder if he’s being serious or if he just doesn’t want to be helpful. I don’t have time or patience to worry about being judged by individuals who are clearly middle-aged and working behind a register at a corner store. Obviously, he’s made some poor life choices, so I didn’t let his look of incredulity at my soaking wet clothes and sweat-drenched face bother me. I leave, go ahead and cross the street and start the homeward trek.

At about the 3.50 mile point the situation has become desperate. I pass the Carl’s Jr! Oh, Carl’s…. Lovely Carl’s. I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but my husband is still a HUGE fan, so can you do me this one BIG favor? Yes! It has a side door that opens right at the entrance to the restrooms, so I don’t even have to look apologetically at any staff members because I am so obviously in desperate need of their facilities but have no intention of buying anything. Even though I am about to burst, I am out of my head and deliriously uncomfortable, I can’t help but notice that this bathroom is a tiny bit disgusting, so with what I would call an Herculean effort, I manage to get the seat cover down before I release! *sigh*

I feel LOADS better. I need to get back to it and get my heart rate back up to where it belongs, but I am still my mother’s child. So I wash my hands thoroughly, use a paper towel to open the door and head back out.

I was still almost 3 miles from home and I was ready to call for a ride. It was cold, it looked like it was going to rain, I was losing daylight rapidly and I felt like I had ruined my workout with this mid-journey pit stop.

I don’t know that I would call it Providential, but it was definitely fortunate that Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” was what came blaring out of my iPod at that moment. Just try to stop running with that beat banging in your ear!



By mile 5, I’m glad that I decided to go ahead with the run. I’m feeling good but I am very aware that I need to head over to Dick’s or Big 5 to see about some arch supports. My feet are flat and while my new Asics are *fantastic* in every other respect and have improved my enjoyment of running tremendously, it’s not the first time I’ve noticed that I might need extra arch support.

The rest of the run goes off with ease. I know I’m going to feel it in the morning, but for now, I feel pretty good. I took a few minutes to stretch before I hugged the kids and hit the shower. Chris had warmed up leftovers, so the kids had been fed. All I had to do was change a diaper and do prayers. After that, the evening was mine. It was all about American Idol and a good night’s sleep. Zzzzz……..

BTW - Does anybody have any advice on inserts for good arch support?