I’ve been training for a 10K the last eight weeks, and last weekend was going to mark the big run.
Except I bonked.
‘Bonked’ is a new term for me. Basically, I didn’t finish. I ran 3.65 miles before I felt like I was going to collapse from heat exhaustion.
Several things happened here:
- It was unbearably muggy. If 110 percent humidity existed, I’m pretty sure it was that moment. My hands were sweating, and I never sweat in my hands.
- I probably didn’t drink enough water to account for that humidity.
- I only gave myself a day of rest between my short run and my long run. Though I’ve been running for a while, I feel like I’m still a newbie when it comes to recovering.
- I panicked.
That last one sounds really weird, even to me. Exercising and panic don’t seem like they’d mix. Essentially, I started freaking out once I realized I was getting overheated. Physically, my legs could’ve kept going, but I felt dizzy and hot. I also began to panic because holy crap, I’m trying to run six miles. What am I doing? Since I had ran so far out, I walked the rest…because I still had to get back to my car.
I was upset, but in hindsight, I wouldn’t have been able to see this cool guy if I had run the whole distance.
Mind + body connection
I always brushed off articles about the mind/body connection because I thought it was stupid, honestly. They were often written in this motivational tone, as if what I was suffering from was a lack of motivation. That’s certainly the case at times, but that hasn’t been the big roadblock in my quest to be a real-life badass.
I had convinced myself I couldn’t do it.
I try not to delve too deep in my thoughts, because that’s never been a good thing for someone with depression. However, I didn’t realize some of the negative self-talk that was still happening, even in the most subtle of ways.
6 miles? That’s a lot to run…
Lifting weights and running a long distance? Is that even possible to do that?
Super fit people can do circuits, lift heavy, and run. You’re like, moderately fit.
Inner me is apparently very passive-aggressive.
This is where I’m supposed to dish out wisdom, right?
I don’t really have good advice. I’m attempting the long run again this Sunday. I just started James Wilson’s Body Earned program, and I’ve already noticed a difference in terms of fitness – and my attitude. I’ve been telling myself just freakin’ do it, because I don’t have a good reason as to why I’m not as fit as I want to be. It’s just my own excuses and passive-aggressive, negative self-talk.