It was extremely difficult to run today. I had to stay more than an extra hour at work, and didn’t start running until 3:00. Even Patrick said it was dangerous to run today. Although the temperature was only 96 degrees when I began, meteorologists reported it feeling like 102 degrees. The humidity in the Mid-West makes running very hard.
I had to do a combination of running and walking. It took me more than 40 minutes to run three miles. I found a water fountain that sprayed water really far and I took a couple breaks to drench myself. I wasn’t able to get half way around the pond before all the water dried up. Plus, my MP3 player’s battery went dead just as I was finishing up my first half mile. Although so much went wrong, I finished the course.
I also saw a guy on the course wearing gloves. I was confused about why he would be wearing those. I was hoping he wasn’t some serial killer who wanted to conceal his fingerprints. I probably shouldn’t be thinking about that sort of thing while I’m running.
I had a sunburn on my face when I was finished. I hope tomorrow is cooler.
I did it! I ran six miles! Patrick and I woke up early Saturday morning and headed to Forest Park. Shortly after we began running, we were passed by several groups of runners who shouted, “Good Morning, Runners!” I felt so encouraged. It’s the first time I’ve ever been recognized as a runner, and to be recognized by other marathoners made my day!
Patrick forgot his music, so I kept my headphones off. We ran together during the first stretch. Just before we came across steep hills, Patrick gave me some advice. He told me to look down at the path and not up at the gigantic hill. He also told me to press on hard and tackle the hills. I did. I passed him up. He says I took off, but I felt that I just focused. He caught up to me around mile five. It was great to have him by my side.
It was so nice to hear birds, activity in the park and the gentle sound of passing cars. Some parts of the park were quieter than others. As the day grew on, the sun began to rise, and the other runners quit greeting us. It was all about finishing at that point.
As soon as Patrick caught up with me at mile five, we high-fived. That was a very, very bad idea. My body automatically began thinking it was done. I felt the rush of being happy to have accomplished five miles, that I nearly forgot I had one more to go.
The last portion of the run was straight with a slight downhill slope. I dislike straight courses because it feels never ending. It’s hard not to look ahead and see an endless path with no finish line in sight. The only thing that kept me going is thinking I saw the finishing point. Because I have never run the park before, I didn’t quite know how much longer I had to go.
When I finished, Patrick was about a minute behind me. I took off for the visitor’s center for some air conditioning and cold water from the fountain. I felt pain and happiness. I am so happy I completed my first big run. It’s given me confidence.
That night, Patrick and I celebrated our anniversary by going to the Melting Pot. We had the “Big Night Out,” which is a four-course meal that includes cheese fondue, salad, a surf & turf plate, and desert. We had Wisconsin Cheese to start with, followed by a California Salad, then an assortment of lobster, shrimp, filet mignon, fresh tuna, chicken, and beef. To cook it, we used our fondue pot and marinated the meal in Coq Au Vin. For desert, we had “Amaretto Meltdown,” which is a flambéed white chocolate with an assortment of fresh fruit and cakes. We were so stuffed by the end of the meal we both felt sick. But it was worth every bite!
Conditions: 70-something degrees.
Results: 6 miles; 1:06 hours
What I’ll remember the most: Encouragement from fellow runners!
