Tuesday, July 5, 2011

July 4th, 2011 – Independence Day 5k


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.”

This was kind of a disappointing race. I have been experimenting with several energy drinks trying to find one that can boost my run without giving me night terrors or anxiety attacks.




These are a few I have tried.





I bought a 6 pack of the BAZI online because I got a sample at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half in Los Angeles. I figured if they were present at a major event, they must be fantastic. Well, not so much. Or not for me anyway.

I tried it and got the worst stomach cramps and some pretty weird dreams. Also it caused me to have heart palpitations while I was sleeping which was very scary.

Today, I wanted to try the 5-Hour Energy shot. The grape flavor. First of all, I don’t know how they came up with “grape” but it was nothing of the sort. I can’t even describe what it tasted like but it was awful.

I’m not opposed to drinking yucky things if they will enhance my run, so I chugged it and made my way to the Start Line.

I started out pretty strong but I immediately started to feel my heart rate increase. My muscles weren’t tired but regulating my breathing was becoming an issue so I slowed my pace a bit. When my heart rate still didn’t come down I had to stop.

STOP!!! During a 5k?!?!?!?

WHO WALKS A 5K?!?!?!?

Well... Lots of people actually. This was a fun run and there lots of families and pets and friends and it was a really great event. But for me to have to stop and walk the rather gentle inclines of this race was a major defeat for me.

When I couldn’t regulate my heart rate, I started to panic. And if I couldn’t pull it together, I was going to hyperventilate. Passing out at a Family Fun Run would be the height of humiliation.

So I shelved my pride and started walking up the inclines. Whenever I felt like my heart rate was back to normal, I tried to make up some time but in the end, I finished in 36:16, which 5 minutes off my best time.

Yuck!

So the moral of my story is that energy drinks are not for me.

This was the first race I've ever done that I thought was a flat failure. I knew there'd have to be one. The best thing to do is not obsess about it and move on.

*sigh*

Here we go. See ya the next race.

3 comments:

  1. great job listening to your body

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  2. Thanks! I really was a fine run but knowing I could have done better made it a bit of a drag. I am determined to do better next time.

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  3. OK I love that you bought and wore and still wear the crossing guard hat! You are my hero! That BAZI stuff sounds horrible. Glad you are okay.

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