with my back against the wall

i would like to open this blog by saying this:

if you did something stupid and get yourself out of that stupid situation you have put yourself in, you have done amazing.

i joined an LSD (long slow distance) practice run yesterday and i put myself in a situation where i cannot be left behind because 1) i don't know the place, 2) i stashed my phone in a bag of a companion and 3) the route is mostly hills, which is more demanding on leg strength and conditioning. the worst part of it is, they all run faster and longer than i can.

what i did amazing?

my biggest problem in long distance running is endurance. i cannot run long without taking a walk break and the longer i run, i take more and longer walk breaks. i cannot do that in this particular run because i cannot afford to be left behind by the party.

in my desperate efforts to keep up with the party, i have developed what i have always wanted to develop. rhythmic breathing. with this, i was able to keep up with them throughout the run.
what went wrong?

well, almost. i hit the wall when my right leg cramped. this is because of dehydration. i used up my gatorade and water (which i bought along the way) and there was a stretch where there no store to buy hydration from. this is where my leg cramped.

when we saw a store, my coach told me to drink up not water but soda. i needed sugar that time so i gulped down a bottle of coke then i stretched. i was able to recover at the last kilometer to finish running.

what i started appreciating?

throughout the run, sweat run down from my head down to my face. when sweat get to my eyes, my eyes hurt a lot and my focus is distracted. i don't wanna wear my headband because i think it looks gay. yes, i have my own stereotype. XD but having gone through all the pain and sweat in my eyes, i think i will start wearing my headband in my next run. to hell with my stereotype. hahaha!

i am winding down my training since milo marathon is just 2 weeks away. my target this time is sub-2 hour performance. it won't be easy so i would need your support and prayers. cheers!

note: photo is not mine. no patent infringement intended. credit goes to the owner.