A long run gone bad

Today I was scheduled to do a slow, long 10M run, and I was pretty excited about doing it.  My husband got up super early and did a long bike ride, so by the time he got home I started my run about 10.  The first thing I noticed when I walked outside was the humidity.  It's been awhile since I've run outside in the heat and humidity, but I just wasn't prepared for what was to come.

I waved to my boys who were watching from the window and headed out.  I really wanted to focus on slowing down my pace and doing an actual slow, long run.  According to the awesome McMillan Running Calculator, my long run pace should be between 8:51-9:51.  I knew this would be a challenge because it is just hard for me to SLOW down when I'm running.  I don't know what it is, but it's something I need to work on, especially since I'm training for a marathon.  Anyways, for the first few miles I was around an 8:30 pace.  I kept telling myself to slow down and finally I was able to maintain around a 8:50 pace.  It was hard, but I was doing it!  Around the same time I really started to notice how hot and fumid (thanks for the term Jon!) it was!  I was thankful that I had Nuun in my water bottle because I was sweating like crazy.  I was trying to drink as much as I could, but the water was just not sitting well in my stomach and I felt constantly thirsty.  I knew this could lead to some problems later in my run, and I was right.

I decided to do an out and back course with a little loop thrown in the middle.  I was feeling pretty good until around 4.5 miles into my run.  I ate a Gu thinking it would give me the boost I needed, but it didn't work.  Shortly after I started cramping really bad.  It hurt so bad to run, but I kept going.  Then my back started getting little cramps.  Ugh!  At this point I knew there was no way I was going to be able to run the full 10M.  I kept thinking about how I might have to run in these same conditions for my HIM, and again, doubt crept into my head about whether or not I'm going to be ready.
  
I got back to the park where I had done a loop and just decided to head back home which was about 2 miles away.  I came to a hill and walked up it.  I rarely walk when I'm out for a run, but my body was really shutting down.  I kept burping and feeling like I was going to puke.  It felt like I had a huge ball of something inside my chest right below my sternum.  The funny thing was that I kept thinking that if I did end up puking, at least I would get the pukie award from BDD! Ha ha!  That thought, in and of itself, made me feel a little better, and I kept going.

Around the 6M point, my legs got really heavy and I was having a hard time picking them up.  I was a complete mess!  I would see a stop light up ahead and pray that it would turn red just so I would have an excuse to stop and take a break.  Well, someone must have heard my prayers, because I literally hit every red light on my way back home.  I passed some guy going the opposite direction and he said, "You better run faster because there's a bear chasing you!"  Really guy?  At the last light, I was getting really light headed and knew I had to get home fast.  Now, I know my body well enough that when I get like this, passing out is almost inevitable.  I got off the main road, turned onto my street and walked the 2 blocks back to my house.  Even when I was walking I was going so slow.  I got closer to home and saw my husband open the door to let me in.  He saw me and asked if I was alright, then I just laid down in the grass and told him that I just needed some time to rest.  He promptly brought me inside where it was cool, handed me an ice pack for my neck, and got me a big glass of ice water to drink.  He knew just what I needed and that ice pack felt sooo good!  He made sure I was alright, then went downstairs to continue watching the Tour de France time trials...ha ha...gotta love him! :)  

  Post-run picture.  Red, hot, sweaty, and thankful to be done!  Notice the "rocky mt. peaks" on my visor!

Although I didn't do the full 10M, I still got 7M in and am happy that I was even able to do that.  Looking back, I know I was dehydrated from the get go.  I thought I had hydrated enough, but I just wasn't expecting the humidity.  It really is amazing how it effects how you run.  Next time I will definitely be more prepared.

I hope you all have a happy 4th of July weekend! :)