the hardest thing i've ever done.

i drank water and fluids all day today. i drank water before i went out to run. i carried a 500mL water bottle with me for the first 6 miles. i drank another 20oz. of water at my first energy and hydration break. i carried [i]another[/i] 500mL water bottle for the second 6 miles. and i had yet more water at my second break.

and then my body broke done, likely due to dehydration. not only could i not run, i could barely walk. for three miles. my feet hurt, my thighs hurt, my back was starting to hurt, my sides hurt. it took me over 3 hours to finish 15 miles, and it took everything i have to finish. but i did finish, and since it was near 90 degrees and rather humid when the run began, i guess that's all i can ask for. the weird part is that i kept my pulse around 150-155 most of the time. it wasn't like i worked to hard or asked more of my body than i have been.

but i am strangely not discouraged. i took two advil after i showered, so i am not that sore, and i don't expect to be sore for long. i am sure the disappointing result is a confluence of strange factors that are largely beyond my control. i wasn't exactly feeling fresh after 12 miles, but it wasn't traumatic. just like my 13 mile run two weeks ago, the last 3 miles are just entirely different than the first two laps. the difference is that i was already hurting before the end of my second lap tonight.

anyway, we're flying to california tomorrow. that will be perfect for my legs -- no movement, just sitting still and getting all stiff and not working. but i am going to eat great food, see beatiful sights, and watch msu own all over cal. and i'm going to run while i'm there. at this rate, though, i will be more than happy to postpone my 16 mile run until i come back.

robb.