The Run from HELL

After a thoroughly enjoyable weekend (Friday night: Ladies night with Connie! Saturday night: Awesome party at our house with great friends!) Kyle and I decided to cap it off with a 10 mile run Sunday afternoon.

If you remember, Kyle and I are training for our first ever half marathon at the end of this August.  Up until about the past 2-3 weeks, training has been going fantastic.  I've hit 10 miles several times, my leg muscles were looking rock hard, and I was feeling very confident.

Notice however, I said up until the past 2-3 weeks.  Packing, moving, and last week's heat wave have frankly destroyed our progress.  It's unbelievable how fast you can get out of shape.  But none of this was considered as we prepared for a pleasant Sunday jog.

We had no idea we were about to go on the RUN FROM HELL.

I should have known all bets were off when we stepped outside to discover an oppressive, humid heat.

I should have known all bets were off when I recognized we didn't pack enough water.

I should have known all bets were off when as soon as we arrived at the Jane Addams Trail, Kyle thought it was a good idea to rip the sleeves off his shirt and wear one of those said sleeves as a headband. 

From the front it could just be your ordinary handkerchief.

The true story is told once he turns around.

A little hilarious? Yes.  A lot embarrassing?  Yes.  Incredibly disconcerting?  Absolutely.  Kyle has since said he would like to do this with every t-shirt he owns.  God help me.

Our run quickly went from embarrassing (Kyle) to dangerous (Whitney).  It typical Whitney fashion, I was totally consumed with the beauty of nature around me, oblivious to where my feet were landing.  Within 5 minutes from the start of our run I awkwardly stepped on a large walnut, thus rolling my ankle and going into a spectacular fall consisting of numerous somersaults.  The scene concluded with intense pain, tears, a dusty body, and a sprained ankle.

Thinking that I could only consider myself a true athlete if I continued, I (unwisely) forced Kyle to go on a  wobbly, gimpy 7 mile jog at the world's. slowest. pace. ever. 

The result of our jog:

- Me running the entire time either swearing, crying, or baring my teeth like a rabid dog.

- Both of us nearly passing out from sheer exhaustion from being out of shape and in what we later found out to be a Heat Advisory

- All too quickly running out of water and contemplating drinking muddy pond water

- Not being able to get out of that damned sun and achieving that "burnt to a crisp" look 



Weird tan lines? Check.  Bright red coloring? Check.

- A swollen, painful-as-a-bitch ankle.

Excuse the ugly feet.  Notice the swelling on my left ankle, OUCH!

After this run and the past few weeks, I have to admit I'm very nervous about this half marathon.  I hope we can pull it off and we never EVER have a run this awful again!

The highlight of our dismal experience?  We met a cute little turtle friend along the way!  And while you can't see it in the picture, it would appear our turtle wasn't having the best day either; he had a large crack in his shell.

I guess as the Turtle must already know and Kyle and I found out yesterday; you can't win them all, you can't win them all.

Fast Times at Whitney High

Things in my life have suddenly accelerated.  A lot is changing (very quickly) and it is questionable whether it is all for the best.

These numerous changes are the main reason for my recent blogging absence. Oh, and I've also been playing a little bit too much Tap Fish.  How do you waste so much time on a pointless app you ask?  Good question.

So what is ch-ch-changing?  Here is the short list

1. BAD: My car "Sassy." Just paid her off as of TODAY.  So naturally, over the weekend she started acting like a real bitch.  Currently she's (hopefully) being fixed.

2. GOOD: School is done, one week from today!

3. BAD: School is done, one week from today, meaning I have piles of work to get done!

4. GOOD: Kyle and I found an apartment we love, love, LOVE and put in our application for it.

5. BAD: Still no word on whether or not we got the aforementioned apartment

6. GOOD: Training for a 1/2 marathon in August (Thanks Nate).  Yes, that is 13.1 miles.  Yes, I have lost my mind.   No, I have never run that far in my life (current record: 6 miles).  Yes, I realize I have a loooong way to go.

6. QUESTIONABLE: My job for next year.  It was posted to internal candidates: No takers.  It is now being posted to external candidates (since it is considered a "new" position).  I will be a "preferred" interview but everyone keeps reminding me someone good, great, better than me could interview.  Thanks for the reminder.  And to make me keep sweating, the interview might not take place until EARLY JULY! Ugh!

So there you go.  My stress level as of late is through the roof.  I do believe I'm always 2.5 seconds away from a heart attack.  At least I have tap fish....at least I have tap fish.