Before I get into the wonders of a 20 mile run… I think I need to address the date. Yes it is September 11. I know everyone has a story about that day. Mine is pretty typical but I remember it so clearly. I was 15. It was Tuesday and I was halfway through composition. It was a block day so that means 90 minute classes. We were going peer editing on the papers we were working on aka everyone was goofing around. Then a senior, Barbara, came into our class and said that everyone was supposed to turn on the TV…there was something going on in NYC. We thought it was a joke… it wasn’t… at all. We were in ‘lock down’ in first period for several hours while the school district was trying to help students locate relatives. My aunt travels for work a lot so I called my mom and figured out my aunt was scheduled to fly on the 12th not the 11th. Eventually we were excused to go to other classes. I had gym but we weren’t allowed to go outside so we just sat there and watched more TV. I had tennis practice after school and I just remember the sky being so quiet. No airplanes. I had an ortho apt so my mom picked me up early from practice. The next couple days I remember falling asleep to the news coverage and waking up to the news coverage. The Friends season premier (we were waiting to find out who was preggers) was delayed for a couple weeks. We had a home football game Friday night with a moment of silence. I left early, completely exhausted by the week and walked home. It is so strange how clearly I remember everything. I ate pasta on Sept 11th for dinner. My sister had confirmation on Wednesday night. I had a tennis game on Thursday. When I was really, really little I remember eating dinner at my grandparents and everyone was talking about where they were the day Kennedy was shot. I thought this was so weird… how did everyone remember something like that. Well you do. I also remember the day when the 35W bridge fell in Minneapolis (my parents were minutes away from being on the bridge) but events like that you just remember.
Okay to change gears, I want to talk about my 20-miler. First, this is exactly what I needed to clear my mind. I’ve been really anxious the last couple days. There was an earth quake near Seattle and although I didn’t feel it I am terrified of earth quakes. I thought I was going to have a panic attack when I figured out there was one. This is something I’m going to have to deal with if I stay in Seattle. I also have a friend coming in less than one week and while I’m soooo excited to see her (she is my BEST friend) I am really bad with changing schedules. Plus I have to get ahead in all my three jobs so I can enjoy my time with her. Oh and my sister left for Peru for six months which made me sad and worried (she isn’t the most responsible person). And all this coverage about Sept 11 makes me a bit emotional. And school starts in a couple weeks and the School of Public Health is being a bit too flakey for my liking. Oh and this 20 mile run was looming over my head making me nervous and excited. Yes. 20 miles alone with my thoughts and some music in the sunshine is what I needed.
20 miles done and done. It was successful. Thought I was going to throw up around 16 but honestly if I had to pick running problems I would pick hurling over knee pain, foot pain, twisted ankles… Nausea is fleeting… injuries are a major set back. Okay… I think only runners understand this. I also have another slight problem. So I stashed my fuel (2 gu packets consumed at mile 10 and mile 15) in my bra (is this normal?? Maybe normal is out of the question when running 20 miles by choice?) and turns out sometimes to little packets are sharp and give you blisters right between the boobs. I didn’t feel any pain at all until I stepped in the shower and extreme pain occurred and I noticed my battle wound. Oh boy. Overall (minus boob blisters) I am so happy about this run!!! It was challenging but it should be! I maintained exactly 9:00 minute miles which is insane for me!!! I felt comfortable and got some hills!!!
I hope everyone else is having a thoughtful and reflective Sunday. It is days like this that remind me how quickly the world changes and how important it is to do the things that make YOU happy and tell the people you love how much you love them.
Oh and watch the ladies US Open finals in ONE HOUR. It’s Williams vs. Samantha Stosur (an Aussie) and I say GO SAM!!! But my gut says it’s William’s match.
Emily
