Brina, how was the 10K?

[Brina]

I was just coming to post about this.

It was awful. By 7am it was about 80 degrees and the run didn't start until 8. The first 5k I was running well, but already feeling the heat. Somewhere between mile 3 and mile 4 I couldn't keep running. Sweat was pouring off of me and not going anywhere. I started walking. I alternated walking and running drinking gatorade endurance and water and pouring water on me at each water stop until mile 5. I started talking with another woman and we both pledged to start running at mile 5 and to run to the end together. She lasted about a quarter mile and told me to go on. I lasted till about a half mile and started walking again. At the 6 mile point I started running. As I came across the finish the guy took one look at me and steered me over to the emt tent where they sat me down and put a big ice pack on my neck. My hands had swelled up, and stupid me, I had forgotten to take my wedding ring off. it was starting to throb. There was a doctor there from your hospital. She had run the 5k then got roped into helping out, as they were being swamped with people. She held my arm up over my head while icing my hand. We still couldn't get the ring off, but at least got the swelling down to the point that the ring could turn, which was a huge improvement. As I was leaving the race an ambulence arrived, lights and sirens going - I assume somebody had an even worse time of it than I did.

At one point, I felt close to tears, as I was really unhappy about not finishing and the implications for accenture. but then I realized, even if I walk, I finish, and if that is what I have to do at the tri, then that is what I will do. I also realized that my weekly long run is probably closer to 6 miles than 5 (I have to take my bike out and truely measure it) based on the music that I ran to and what was playing at the 3 mile mark and where in my weekly run that song comes on. That is helping me feel a bit better as well.

Thanks for asking, Lise. The support of the tri community is so awesome. And too true about the shirts, I got the white, blue and green one, as I already own the shorts that it matches.

[Tri Girl]

Oh, sorry to hear the race was so difficult, Brina. Sounds like a scorcher of a day, and very unpleasant running conditions. Amazing how much easier it is when it's just 5-10 degrees cooler. Glad you're ok, and are recovering.
Sometimes finishing a race is a victory in itself (the will to overcome seemingly/truly insurmountable obstacles that tell our brain to stop is the true test of a powerful and strong athlete). You powered through and didn't give up, and I'm proud of you! The tri will be much easier than this one, for sure!

[Lise]

Hey, Brina,

Sorry to hear the race was so awful. I read your post just before I left the call room at the hospital. Walking down the hall, I saw the resident (doc) who did the marathon last year--I asked if she'd been rendering aid at the run? Nope, at a wedding in Michigan. Wouldn't that have been funny?

I know what you mean about the sweat POURING off you. You're making me feel better about my ride yesterday. I felt pretty bad, which is saying something for me on the bike. I felt slow, heavy, weak, etc. I left at 6:30, rode 'til 8, got in about 22 miles.

Sometimes when I'm running, I feel exactly as you described: cannot run any more. I'm glad they pulled you over and iced you down.

Keep your chin up. The next run will probably be amazingly good, compared to this one. This weather's going to break--looks like rain on Wed, and 20 degrees cooler on Thurs. I'm running tonight with a guy friend (gay), who's training for the marathon. We're both midwives. I don't normally run at night, but it will be nice to not have to deal with the sun, and to feel safe, running with a guy.

How're you feeling today? Score on the outfit, by the way! L.

[Running Mommy]

WOW Brina!! Sounds brutal!! Way to hang tough tho! You did great despite the conditions.
Man! be careful out there!! That heat can really zap a person! no matter the distance or the level of fitness!! There's not alot you can do about the weather.
How do you feel today??