The Rainbow Connection

Today I got up a bit late to start my 18 mi run. I figured it wouldn't be too hot though because this past week it's been a bit cool in the morning. I knew I was wrong the minute I stepped out the door. I used to be so good about checking the weather. Bah!

Whatever, I was going to run those 18 mi no matter what. It didn't take too long for my stomache to start hurting. I knew I hadn't eaten right last night (cheetos around 5, baked squash with nutritional yeast aroun 9:30 -- so good btw), so I ate some dried pineapple (pure sugar). I've been using dried gatorade. It starts off too sweet, but I get a refill bottle of water about half way through, so I figure it balances everything out.

So then my plan is to run two loops that go from 4500 to 5100 feet. Why is it that I was dying by mile 9? So I was going to quit, but I was thinking this is the 3rd week in a row that I should have made 18 and haven't. I should be to 22 by now. I'm beginning to compromise the marathon. If I turn around it's over. I turned around.

But after walking a minute I thought, hey, maybe if I don't try to run half way up a mountain I could pull off the next 9 mi. 9 mi - that's nothing. So off I went feeling good --
for about a mile. Then I felt nausiated. crap. So I start heading home. But in between bending over to dry heave, walking, sitting and jogging, I come to the conclusion, I'm going to go home and get refueled and finish off my miles this evening.

So I did. I rested a while. Took a cat nap with the cat. Ate a frozen pizza. Went to Walmart. Jumped around my bedroom saying, "energy, energy, Energy!" It actually helped. Then I went out for a run, right as a thunderstorm was coming in. Whatever, I have no fear of sissy desert rain.

But the lightening is another matter. I ran a ways and it felt great. I was enjoying the storm roll in. But here's the thing, I don't want to end up in one of those Darwin Award books.
One day a young (still young!) went out for a run in a thunderstorm. The wind was blowing like crazy. And like her paternal great father before her, she was struck by lightening and died. Her browsing histroy actually shows that she checked weather.com before leaving home. (True about the grandfather).

So I decided to head home and evaluate the weather when I got closer. My Darwin Award theory was confirmed when a woman asked me if I needed a ride because of the lightening.

Shortly after that I noticed the most amazing rainbow I have ever seen. It was huge, high in the sky and vivid the whole length. There was also a second bow above it that was faded. Kids were out jumping in the yard. When I got to my apartment there were people standing outside gawking. I wanted to keep running, but a big rumble behind me, sent me running for my camera instead.


I'll post the pics later. For now, I have hope for my marathon and a new plan. I need to get up earlier, eat better before runs, and try some long runs on flatter terraine. I won't have a chance to attempt 18 again until week after next. Until then, I'm going to alter my weekdays to include more mid distance ~10 mi runs. I'm starting right now by getting ready for bed at 8:47.