7 miles of death

Just kidding. 7 miles though.  Today I ran 7 miles.  I think back to a year ago and I am blown away by what my body can and has done.  I remember when I couldn’t run 1 mile, and what an accomplishment that was when I finally could! I remember my struggle to get to 2 miles.  I remember jumping up and down when I conquered 5 miles.  Today I ran more than half of the total distance of our half marathon.  I’m tooting my own horn a little bit here, because I am amazed with myself!  It is incredible what people can do when they just put their minds (and bodies) to it.  I am happy to know that I’m someone who can put my mind to something and actually do it. 

Now let’s talk about how awful 7 miles feels!  So Ballard (where we live) is a neighborhood that sits right on the water with hills in every direction (even on the other side of the bridges that go over the water!)  Usually when we map our our running routes we can minimize our hill running or at least keep it to one or two good solid gut-busting, breath-stealing, kick-your-ass hills…when you’re running 7 miles in Ballard there are only so many directions you can go.  UP, UP, UP, down a little, and the rest of the way UP!  We conquered three GINORMOUS hills, 4 or 5 medium hills, 10 or 12 “gently rolling” hills (which feel more like mountains at about mile 6)!  Then by the time I thought I was going to pee my pants, have my right middle toe fall off, and maybe just sit down and cry (if I hadn’t sweat out all of my liquids!), I got to go DOWNHILL!  I was so exhausted that I was basically just falling forward and hoping my feet could keep up.   I survived, but only barely. 

Then I stretched, chugged some water and a protein shake, and made some lunch.  I was so exhausted I kept missing my mouth with my fork, my words were slurring like I was drunk, and after I ate I couldn’t get up off the floor…Next? 8 miles.  What am I doing to myself?! :)