I think of so many neat things to write about while I’m running, and then I come home and I can’t remember one. I really pushed myself today. I wanted to push myself yesterday, but that didn’t work out so well. I was so inspired after learning Patrick had ran an entire three miles without stopping. I wanted to do the same, but I couldn’t. The humidity was choking me. Yesterday, I did notice beautiful Monarch butterflies near the lake. In fact, whenever I run around SIUC’s Campus Lake, I’m always having to dodge butterflies.
There were less butterflies today, but I think it’s because I ran much later in the day. I was trying to wait until it was cooler outside. My car thermometer say 98 degrees. The forecast called for temperatures in the 100s. After I got out there, I didn’t care. I wanted to run 10-minute miles and I wasn’t going to let anything stop me.
Instead of jogging, I ran. In fact, I may have been sprinting a bit. I felt strong for the first quarter mile, and then I was out of breath. I just wheezed and kept going. I was making great time. I had forgot the course is 2.2 miles around. I went around it twice and was focusing on finishing in 40 minutes. I ran 4.4 miles in less than that time. I ran my first true 9-minute miles!
Although I’m extremely proud of myself, I’m feeling the effects. My stomach is bubbling and aching, and I’m a bit dizzy. I feel like someone punched me and I just want to throw up. Near the end of the run, I had got goose bumps and felt a bit cold and numb. I had trouble catching my breath after the run. But I find myself believing it was all worth it. I’ve got my mind set on running the Vegas Marathon in four hours. I’m doing whatever I can to achieve my goal.
