So, I didn’t run 10 miles. I was supposed to, and thought I did, but I didn’t. Here’s what happened: we ran a different way on the trail at Creve Coeur Park. Because there are several trails, it’s easy to go on the wrong one. That’s what happened. Instead of running 10 miles, I may have only run nine. And the worst part happened during the run. A certain stretch of the trail is on rock. If I don’t look down, I could trip. I was finding the run difficult, so I looked up at the leaves falling off the trees above. It happened. I tripped and rolled on my ankle. I wasn’t sure how bad I was hurt, but it went numb right away. I tried to take it easy for the rest of the run. Afterwards, I realized it was sprained very bad and I’ll have to stay off of it for a while until I recover. I hope it’s better in time for next week’s run. 
At least I got my snow cone:
I wanted to quit so bad. My ankles hurt from the get go. Finally, when I warmed up I needed to use the bathroom. Because I was running around Campus Lake at SIUC, I thought I could quickly use the bathrooms by the beach. No can do. They were locked. I decided to try to continue running, albeit very uncomfortably. My stomach was cramping, and even my shoulders hurt. Something was wrong with my left shoe. It felt like they were on too tight. I stopped a couple of times to re-tie them and move my sock around. It didn’t help. It especially hurt while I was rounding around the trail. When I got done, the top of my foot right below my ankle, felt bruised. The trail was crowded and it seemed like I was going to run into people almost every second. I cut my run short. I don’t even know how far I ran. The first lap was great, but when I took that non-existent pit stop, it threw my whole game off. I ran for 45 minutes and called it a day. I just hope that this weekend will be better. I know today’s run is very important. Oh well? There’s nothing else I can do. I’ll just focus on this weekend.
I decided to run my three miles today at the park where I first started my marathon training. It’s been more than a month, and I wanted to see how much I’ve grown. When I used to run Cannon Park, my right foot would fall asleep during the first mile. Today, it didn’t fall asleep until the very last mile. The park is still difficult to run because it is so small, but I felt much better about finishing the run. It’s so much easier to run and see the sights only once, instead of getting board seeing the same scenery over and over again. Nevertheless, the run went very well.
This is the best run ever! Patrick and I got to Forest Park in the morning. It wasn’t as early as we would have liked, but the temperature was in the high 40s, low 50s, during the run. We were freezing! Shortly after we began running, I took off. I didn’t see Patrick again until he was finished running. Right before we started, Patrick told me to run around the park once, and then one more time for a “victory lap.” When the run started to get tough, I just imagined that I was already done and I was just running down the streets of Vegas to let everyone know I was a winner. It was easy to imagine, because after running that long I started losing my mind a bit.
There is one very bad intersection at the park where cars just get off the highway and then are supposed to stop at a light. My brain wasn’t thinking correctly because I was so focused on running, so I found myself running across the road while vehicles were coming. I knew the lights had just changed, but I couldn’t comprehend what they had changed to. Someone honked at me. Still, I have no idea whether it was safe to run or not. I have to keep in mind to really think about what is going on around me when I run very long distances.
I was extremely tired when I was done, but I was still cold. It was very breezy during the run, and I ended up trying to warm up in the car. Patrick and I bought bananas and bagels beforehand, and when the run was almost complete, I could already taste the banana. The bagel tasted soooooo good! I can’t wait for next week. We’ll be running a half marathon next week.
After the run, we went back home and picked up my best friend Jane who was staying with us for her weekend vacation. We all went to the Old Spaghetti Factory for our cheat meal. This is one of my favorite places because it’s in a historic building on Laclede’s Landing downtown.
After that, we took a brewery tour at the history Anheuser Busch building. I was happy to learn the tour was free (as was two beers at the end of the tour. Although they were almost out of everything by the time it was our turn to drink. I asked them how they could be out of beer? Kinda weird that a brewery would run out.) We had a great time, but after a few sips I really wasn’t all that interested in drinking. I did get to sample some beers I’ve never tried, but after working out in the morning, my body didn’t want anything unhealthy.
That night, Patrick made hamburgers on the grill, and we also made some s’mores on the chimenea.
I had absolutely no motivation to run today. I just wanted to stay inside and veg out. I’m wishing I did. I hurt my foot during my last six-miler. In fact, I think I sprained my foot. Sounds odd, but I have shooting pains in my foot about every few steps, and after I ran today– the pain got a lot worse. It hurts to walk. I’m quite nervous about this injury because we’re supposed to run 12 miles on Saturday and I want to do a good job.
I also need to start stretching after runs. Sometimes I’m so happy to be done, I forget. Patrick is much better at remembering to stretch. Plus, I ran on the road and I think that’s a lot harder on my feet. And, I ate a big meal earlier today. I waited a couple of hours before I ran, but it wasn’t long enough. I felt the food sloshing around my stomach and I cramped up bad. It was hard to finish running and I just wanted to lay down afterward. Luckily, when the run was over, my stomach quickly recovered.
I’ve got my mind set on Saturday’s 12 miler. Wish me luck!
Wow! Things have been crazy. I’m really excited about training. I’ve finally hit the double digits, and I’m looking forward to my 12-miler this weekend. It’s close to a half marathon, so I feel like it’s a big deal. Last weekend, we ran Murphysboro Lake again. I’ve been seeing a lot of snakes while running. There were two on the course, including a giant black snake that stretched out across most of the road near the bridge. I didn’t realize what it was until I was right next to it and saw it’s eyes looking up at me. That encouraged me to run even faster.
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Today, I ran six miles. It was the first time I felt that I could breath during a run. It’s because the humidity was much lower. It was under 70 degrees and had a great breeze. I felt so, so great. Afterwards, I was pretty tired, so I took a nap. I can’t wait for the weekend run!
Wow! What a difficult workout! The hills hurt my legs and I know I won’t be able to walk tomorrow, but that’s alright. I’d rather get in a hardy run and be more than ready for the marathon.
After today’s run, Patrick and I ate at Booby’s on the Carbondale Strip! It’s always been our favorite sandwich place since I was in college.
Later that night, we went to the Cascade of Colors at Carbondale’s Southern Illinois Airport.
Here are our pics:
