ouch. learning experience.

I went for a 15 mile run today. Sort of. It was SLOW for me. But... let's consider the factors against me... factors that I have learned things from as a result. And now that I've eaten an entire pizza from Biaggi's... ugh... so stuffed... I shall sit and write about the things I learned today, but not in any particular order.

I went from being capable of running about a 9 minute/mile (occasionally less) to doing a little over an 11 min/mile today. (I would tell you more exactly, but I'm a little unsure of the exact time I started.)

I wore my new hydration pack today. The pack really is quite nice, but with a full water bladder and the weight of the pack and then my keys and wallet, it's pretty close to ten pounds, which I'm not exactly used to having on my back. Wearing it is an adjustment in and of itself, not to mention the pounds. I was expecting my time to be affected a bit by my wearing it, but not quite as much as it did. Perhaps I should've attempted a shorter run with it first.

Running attire. Oh sigh. This warm Minnesota March is throwing me off. I started off with running pants that are intended for 50 degrees or cooler... because... well... that's what it was this morning. I also wore a spaghetti strap tank top over the sports bra, and then a long underwear half-zip pull-over type thing--my thoughts went, "moisture wicking" with that one. About 2 miles into the run, I had to stop and get rid of the half-zip pull-over... should've seen that one coming. Fortunately, of course, there was this nice pack I was carrying that I could stuff it into. Initially, I was trying to take it off with the pack still on and realized that that would perhaps take more talent than I was currently in possession of. So... wear shorts... or get used to weather better. Something.

Ah, but here's the bad part. That left my back and shoulders more exposed to the pack for the remaining 13 miles. And I was still trying to figure out how to adjust the straps, etc., for the proper tightness while running... So... it bounced. A lot. There is a patch in a sort of funny-esk shape on my right shoulder blade--about 2-3 inches in diameter--that is pretty much something the shade of "raw" and similar to the feel of a particularly bad rug-burn. There is a minor patch on my right collarbone that will probably heal much more quickly, and is much smaller and less bothersome. Note to self: wear a different tank top.

Also... It would have been helpful to have seen the chiropractor yesterday, as I should have. I have an extremely mild case of scoliosis, but it accounts for my right shoulder blade sticking out ever so slightly more than the other. Not to mention that what was some pain in my back is now MUCH more significant, due to carrying additional bouncy weight. So... yeah... see the chiropractor when I can.

And... I started after 11:30. Yeah. Dumb. Hottest part of the day... Running mostly on a trail with very little shade... I hear the sun can be draining. Heh. Maybe so, when it's that high. I'm just glad that I'm not prone to burn. I did get a bit of color, though. But... I should've gotten an earlier start. A lot earlier. Or, for that matter, later.

When I sweat, I tend to lose more electrolytes than water. I had water in the hydration pack. At one of my stops... because I'm still learning to drink out of the thing and would inevitably choke when trying to drink while running... sigh... gotta work on that, too... anyway... at one of my stops, I got out some homeopathic "cell salts" which seemed to help a tiny bit. I rinsed my face off with water once... it tasted REALLY salty. Uh oh. And even when I got home, there was a distinguishable line of dried salt on my forehead and even nose. That's probably really gross to read. Nonetheless, it proved the point to me that I SERIOUSLY need to get in more electrolytes, and bring it with me. Somehow.

Due to the extra weight, and even though I was slow-ish anyway, a bit past mile 10.5, I seriously hit a wall. Bad. I don't usually want to cry from tiredness, but I was pretty darn near tears, with a lots of prayers of, "God, help me get through this!" for the next 4.5 miles. Just past mile 12.5, I hit another wall where my body pretty much seemed to be very mad and sullen. And I wanted to cry more. I need honey with me. Hah... Seriously, "I need you, honey!" Okay... jokes aside, raw honey is one of the best sugars for me... gotta love the kick of energy... now, if I could just through in some B vitamins... and I just might... I may actually be set.

At one point, I was finally starting to do really well along the run. Get into the zone... you know... it was feeling good. And then... somehow I managed to kick a substantial pebble into my shoe. Tried to reach it without taking it off, but it was running away from my approaching fingers, so I had to take off the entire shoe, and remove the pebble. And that meant... sitting on the ground. Which is an odd feeling thing to do while going for a run. I sort of took a moment to stretch while down there. And then said to myself, "Get up!" Ha. I have no idea how that could be avoided. It just happens now and then.

Also, food. I'm still working on this, but I ate something like a "bird" this week... So I didn't have a lot of stamina/endurance built up in me at all. I'm trying to eat before I run. But I had a banana, apple, and an orange. Oh yes, and a cup of tea. And I didn't leave right after. I think I had better work on that.

My legs aren't too sore, and I got to see a friend this afternoon. I've had my honey... and a full pizza, if you remember... and I've texted and spoken to a few friends about advice for this day. There are so many encouragers, and I thank you so much! I so desperately need it. I hate feeling disappointed about my runs. I have high hopes for next Saturday's 16 mile run, with what I've learned... and more practice with the hydration pack.

And... here's what I've learned about food: EAT. Ha. Sounds simple, but it's true. I need to eat more during the week. A friend told me she loads up the carbs the night before a long run, and then a longer absorbing breakfast with carbs the morning of. Another friend says she does almond butter and banana. In any case, proteins... something that lasts longer. Also, a friend tells me that cucumbers help get the electrolytes back and replenished! I knew about coconut water, which is fantastic... But I think I'll definitely like the cucumbers added in.

Okay... Well. Learned a lot. I need to remember some other random things along the way, too... But most of those are mental notes. It's amazing... the more miles and training, the more I find that EVERYTHING seems a potential for affecting me. And... I'm ready for the summer... I think. I am certainly finding I actually rather like cold weather running. Hmmm... Lots of positives for both. Now. What to do to cross train tomorrow? Maybe Yoga. Probably could have used some stretching, before today, too.

Ah well, you live and you learn, eh? Today was a trip and a half. But... all the better to learn from. And improve. And keep learning more. I still love running. Just wishing that somethings didn't always take trial and error. I'll get in my groove!

It was a GORGEOUS DAY! Amazing blue skies! REALLY happy about that.