Emotional Day - Part 2

After the busy and emotional day yesterday I fell asleep quickly and slept in till almost 6:30...thats late for me I'm an early bird :) I got up and hung out with the kids for a couple hours until my hubby was up and it was time for me to head out on my long run. Normally if I'm going to do more than around 10 miles I'll wear my camel back so I have some water. But, I knew I wanted to do 4 tough miles of speed in the middle so I opted to go without. I had initially planned to do 4 easy, 4 fast and then 4 easy.  I left at 9:30 and realized it was already way hotter than I expected. It was 20 degrees (C) and getting hotter and I made the decision to push up the speed portion of the run before it got unbearable. I ran 2.25miles easy, made a quick stop to pee behind a tree and eat a chocolate running gel :)

It was the first time I was trying the Hammer brand gels, usually I'm a powergel girl but I read that Hammer makes a Hazelnut flavor that tastes like Nutella and I'm determined to track them down :) I was worried a new brand might upset my stomach especially since I didnt have any water to take it with but I had no problems and I quite liked how it wasnt as sweet. 

I set up my app to yell at me if I went slower than 7 min/miles and put my "run like someones chasing you" playlist on and off I went... it was brutal. Hot, exhausting and I felt totally dehydrated. But I finished the 4 miles with an average of 6:58. I had to stop for two traffic lights which I guess gave me a bit of a break, but I dont think it does much in my favor considering I have to slow to stop and start again. I finished and had to walk for a couple mins and let my body chill out. 

(4 miles fast...check!)

Then I changed my playlist to something a little more mellow and told myself I didnt care what speed I did the rest at I was just going to burn some calories (turns out I burned more than just that!!). I did another 3 miles or so and then started thinking about how I wanted to write my step-dad and note when I got home. I felt really guilty that yesterday was so busy and I didnt get a chance to give him a hug. I started thinking about what I wanted to write and the next thing I know I'm running and bawling. I'm not a big crier...have always been the type to keep things in. But I ugly-cried the entire last three miles home. I had sunglasses on and kept my head down when I passed people. I'm sure people just thought I was having a really crappy run. I was pleased when I got home to notice hubby had the kids out somewhere so I had a chance to compose myself. 

 (red eyes, red skin)

Not only did I have some fairly red eyes, but I had definitely gotten a lot of sun. I need to start remembering sunscreen it just seems to odd for May 1st! Running tan-lines are always interesting. I have a few different running tank tops which lead to all sorts of criss-crosses up and down my back. Then there is the white patch on my arm from my arm band...joy. 

Then I got home and had to tell my 6 year old about Grampa. She wanted to know what the celebration was for yesterday and it was time to explain as best as I could what was going on. Tough moment for sure. Another emotionally draining day. I made a yummy dinner of Skinnytaste Bangin Shrimp on salad and also made a big batch of Skinnytaste split pea soup...I love her recipes!! 

Total miles ran this week: 29