8/30 - 18 miles

Many runners listen to music when they run. It is a source of motivation and can act as a distraction when your mind is telling you that you are tired. A study showed that individuals who listen to music workout longer than those who don't.

Well, I am not one of those people. I do not listen to music when I run. I guess I never wanted to become dependent on music. Sometimes, it is nice not having noise blaring into your ears. This way, running becomes therapeutic. You have the next couple of hours all to yourself, just you and that little voice in your head. But at the same time, this means that long runs can become such an emotional rollercoaster. You start thinking about anything and everything. Last night, I ran 18 miles. Here’s what was going on in my head throughout the run. (This post is dedicated to Sephanie a.k.a. “East”).

Mile 1: "Hmm...maybe I should've waited more than 30 minutes to let my food digest."

Mile 1.25: "Definitely should not have eaten spicy indian food for dinner. At least the pain in my stomach is keeping my mind occupied from other pain that is happening throughout the rest of my body"

Mile 2.5: "Weeeeee!!! I love down hills!" ::witness a cyclist struggling in the opposite direction:: "Hahahahah"

Mile 4: "Night running isn't too bad. Dehydration isn't an issue, I get to watch the sunset...bonfires!? …and I get to inhale some smoke for the next 2 miles."

Mile 5: "When does this runner's high kick in? I definitely could use some of it right now."

Mile 5.25: ::pass up a runner:: "Hahaha"

Mile 5.5: ::almost got hit by a bicyclist who tells me that I should be wearing a light:: "Where the heck is your light?! And how about riding on the right side of the road!"

Mile 6: "Next time, I should safety pin these snacks to my top or shorts. Yeah...LIKE A BOSS"

Mile 6.25: "What do I want to eat when I get home? Oh, I know. Chocolate ice cream with strawberries and ibuprofen. Mmmmmm. I think I'll call this a runner's sundae!"

Mile 9: "Road closed!? Dammit Gmap-Pedometer.com!"

Mile 10.25: "A shooting star!! Oh, I wish I was at mile 17......dammit shooting star!"

Mile 11.5: "Totally take back dehydration not being an issue! I'm so thirsty. I need water. I need water!!"

Mile 12: "Ooh, Target! They'll have a water fountain." ::Target hours on Sunday 8AM-9PM – CLOSED:: "Dammit Target!"

Mile 12.25: "Thank you, Starbucks!" ::chug down 4oz:: "I can't run with a 12oz Starbucks cup in my hand. Or can I? I can!" ::within the next mile, I consume the entire cup of water:: “Methinks I was bit dehydrated.”

Mile 15.75: "No chafing! Oh no, why did I say that? I hope I didn't jinx myself."

Mile 16: "Where did this extra energy come from? I am definitely running faster. I wonder if it was the Shot Blok I took 3 miles ago, or maybe it is because I'm a little scared of running down this dimly lit street."

Mile 16.75: "You can do this. Almost there. Define yourself. Define yourself. Define yourself."

Mile 18: "Runner's Sundae....weeeeee!"

I finished at a 10:23 minute pace. No chafing. No blisters. No runner's trots. :)