My New Best Friend

Posted by Steph

As the Half Marathon continues to creep closer, my miles are unfortunately getting longer.  I, like my sister, do not like running, especially on a treadmill, but during these winter months here in Utah it's either outside and freeze (or slip and fall on the ice), or inside on a horrible machine and try not to poke your eyes out from boredom.  I choose the later, and pray every day that spring will be here soon.

So, today I drank my Slim Fast Shake, put on my boots, and headed to the gym and put on my shoes.  My plan: 7miles.  The first mile is always a wakeup call to my body.  By mile TWO I was feeling pretty good.  Slow and steady is my motto. At mile FOUR I slowed for a drink (my aid station), then picked up the pace again.  I was feeling bored but GREAT!  I thought I could run all day!  That was until mile SEVEN.  It was at mile seven when I started feeling my back and hips starting to ache.  I had reached my goal, but something inside made me want to keep going.  So I did!!  I ended up going 8.5 MILES!!!

The moral of this story?  Premedicate!  Although at first I was feeling really good, the more I push my body the more I am going to feel the little aches and pains.  So next time I am taking a few of my new best friends on my run with me....