Eight Mile Run

Today's task was an 8 mile run. Honestly, I was dreading it. I had just run 4.5 miles on Thursday and Friday and didn't feel quite rested enough. I normally do not have to run back to back, but my training schedule was interrupted by sleet and extremely cold temperatures. And since I live in Texas, I do not have all the proper cold weather gear. It used to seem like such a waste of money, they would get so little use here. Well, I'm buying some - the windbreaker (is that term still used in the outer garment world?) I had just did not cut it.

It was sunny and blue outside, but the wind had a little chill. With my iPod blaring, I started out. Almost immediately, my right knee began to ache. I felt like I was just dragging my right leg along. This really irritated me as I had my knee strap on to keep my kneecap secure. But, I kept moving forward. I did however walk through my glugs of water and my energy gel shot. In spite of my husband's patient tutoring and his "fold and slide" technique for emptying the gel packets, I just cannot swallow and run at the same time.

I made it - all eight miles! My sense of accomplishment was short-lived. Immediately the thought ran through my head "You weren't fast enough". I must dismiss this thought. It is just not true. My time was exactly what I had estimated for myself. This was a major accomplishment for me. How many 43 year old women had run 8 miles today? I know these thoughts were from Satan, not God. I will now pat myself on the back for a job well done. Oh, and the knee pain, umm, my husband noticed I had my knee strap on in the wrong place. Oops.