Notes
This was one of the most if not the most challenging runs I ever had. Completely wiped out ..completely shuttered. Things did not feel right from the very beginning as If I was battling against the odds. The humidity (86%) shock to my system. This was not expected. Sun and humidity with not a single leaf up on the hills moving. Then came tightness in the body, a stitch in my stomach at about 6th mile, then the corn on the little toe with pearcing sensations and also a slight numbness on the right leg lower part. I ignored the nigglings and run a an average of 9.15 min mile to 10th mile point. Then I slightly increased speed and I averaged an 8.56 to 14. 3 mile. I then run the last approx. 2 miles feeling depleted and at times stuggering (not a nice feeling at all). My body did not feel right. At about 16th 1/2 point mile body came to a stand still. I felt completely depleted as when a car runs out of fuel and is nothing there to keep it going. I never in my entire running life had to do this before. I had to stop at 16.5 point mile. I had already battled agaist doing so since the 14.5 mile. I knew I had a steep hill of 2.5 miles still to walk. There was no way I could walk and run. Felt steaf and body rigid and very .. very depleted. Little toe problems almost were also magnified to the point that I could not put foot completely down to the ground. When I made the decision to stop or rather my body did it without considering mind or soul. It just stopped. Completely shut down. I knew that it was a long way back home walking for the rest of 4 miles. However, there was no other way. The price to pay. So, I walked for one mile reflecting on what had gone wrong but did not really hurt as I knew I had to stop. This was not meant to be my day. But I had to turn negative to positive as there was no way I would cause my body an injury. I was cooling down so quickly and by that time a head on cold wind (the weather here changes by the minute) was on my way. No sun no warmth. So, I felt I was going to be in trouble. Luckily a lady driver that had seen me running 2 hours ago pulled left and I waved for a lift. She was going in my direction. So, I was delighted to get a lift home. I had also ditched my vest at first mile (Frankie's advice taken) as the humidity was on its extremes today. So, we stopped and picked it up and then she drove me kindly home. I definitely had to swallow my pride today. When I arrived home I wanted food and more food and more food. I did not drink a lot but almost ate a whole Pizza as If I had not eaten for days. This was the sign of lacking energy. And I did have my porridge, and a blended drink and ample of water before I left. But not energy drink or gue at any stage. The shot blocks were out of date so I could not use them. The only thing I had were jelly beens but they gave me indigestion when running. I had water with me too. So, all in all I feel it was a combination of the extreme levels of humidity and lack of food in my system. The speed I was doing it came naturally and did not force my body for the first 10 miles. Then I worked harder but by that time I already had the low energy issues to deal with. Depleted and fatigued I could have not kept going. And when this comes to this then there is only one option ....survival for the body. So, my body protected itself. Very difficult run indeed. I gave it all today but it felt as If I run an ultramarathon. I feel so tired now I only want to eat and sleep. On the 2nd of August I run 19.15 miles without gue or other and faster than qualifying time. So, the only reason or main reason for today's run is the humidity that beat body up. I never felt this way before. I am trying to understand all contributing factors and come to the conclusion that :- Humidity + increase of miles in training + lack to energy drinks (although my body does not like them) caused me to suffer. Or I must say this was one of those days and I have not had one of them in a long time.