marathon training, day 3

Ran this afternoon, even though I really REALLY didn’t want to. It was over 100 degrees outside. I went my 3 mile route, and I think I ran nearly 2 miles of that. I had water but halfway through I had to quit drinking it because it was just sitting in my stomach making me feel nauseous and it was SO hot outside that I was afraid if I kept up that pace I might throw up or faint. So I mixed in some long walking stretches and kept crossing the street to walk wherever there was shade.

I’ve got a LONG ways to go. It’s going to be fucking scalding outside for most of my training time before the marathon. I may have to figure out an alternative locale. I seriously thought about calling Yvonne and telling her that I wasn’t going to do it, because today it felt like there was NO WAY I will EVER be able to run 13 miles if I can’t even run 2 without feeling like I’m going to die.

But I know that I’ve got nearly 8 months between now and the race. I’ll get better, and my debate with myself over quitting today is going to seem absolutely silly.

On my return route, I walked past a woman sweeping her sidewalk. She appeared to be my age, maybe a little older. I smiled as I passed and said “Hi” to be friendly (which is totally against my nature… as an introvert, I am uncomfortable with strangers, but I had kind of a revelation that if I don’t start faking social norms I’m going to end up one of those cranky old people that nobody likes). Anyway, I said hello and she smiled really big and said “You are looking so GOOD, girl! You’ve lost weight!” I semi-panicked and furiously thought “Oh my gosh, do I know her? How does she know me?” I took a chance and said “Really? Thanks! So you’ve seen me running on your street before?” And that’s how she knows me. She has seen me running and either she really thinks I’ve trimmed down or she was just being polite. Anyway, we had a short conversation about exercising, diets, being consistent, and the fucking scalding temperatures outside.

Whether or not she actually meant what she said, it made me feel really good. Also, I was proud of myself for having a friendly conversation with a stranger and not looking for the first escape hole I could find.