Up, Up, and AWAY!

Here's today's training log for your entertainment: 

4:00AM: Curse profusely at my alarm clock. Wrap myself with my bed covers resembling a big burrito.

4:05 AM: Reluctantly get out of bed and avoid smashing the alarm against the wall. Go shower.

4:15 AM: Get ready to rumble. Take most things with me. Head out to my car. Have a mental conversation with God to finish today's run (alive). Hope there are no drunk drivers on the road.

4:25 AM: Realize I forgot my car keys, water bottle, glasses, and wallet. Return to my apt. Curse again.

4:35 AM: Go back to my car after being distracted by Facebook (post fundraising page link).

4:45 AM: Make it to the track. It's dark out. Join a runners group gathered there. Hear the instructions.

4:55 AM: Realize I'm with the wrong group. Search for my running team.

4:58 AM: Find out we're at the wrong meeting spot. Hop in my car and drive to my actual meeting spot.

5:02 AM: Run out of the car, and do my check-in with the coach. Feel happy to see familiar faces. 

5:03 AM: Regret not having breakfast, and blame my absentmindedness to the lack of coffee. 

5:10 AM: Finish warm up laps and continue with drill exercises. Feel like a half a Rockette.

5:15 AM: Learn that I've been assigned to group 1 (the 9 Minuteers) for some odd reason. 

5:16 AM: Double check with the coach if I'm in the right group. Learn I'm the only Rebecca there.

5:17 AM: Do some final stretches and start running with Group 1. Goal is to run for 50 min.

5:19 AM: Follow the coach out of the park toward the highway.

5:20 AM: Group helps an old man push his car to the curb. Keep running.

5:36 AM: Realize that the music is annoying me and that I want to hear the conversation next to me. Hit the 1st mile mark, but then get distracted by stray cat looking for food. 

5:40 AM: Mentally curse at the slope on Miramar St. Thrice. 

Et tu, Spleen?

5:45 AM: Feel pain around diaphragm area, follow breathing techniques from the coach and teammate. [Breathe in, breathe out... like a woman in labor]

5:50 AM: Feel surprised that I'm still running next to the coach and keeping with her pace. Enjoy the sound of paced running steps on the asphalt. Notice how calm and beautiful the lagoon and sea look at this hour. Wish I could paddle-board there now. 

6:00 AM: Collective screaming at a taxi driver for not stopping. Realize I am really thirsty. Regret not having water with me.

6:01 AM: Feel amused by how my teammates can run while carrying a conversation. Make a mental note to buy a water bottle holster/belt thingy. Curse because I'm slowing down significantly and I'm lacking energy. (My shoes feel like they weigh 100lb each) I also feel cold, and I have goosebumps all over my extremities. 

6:04 AM: Stop jogging. Chug Gatorade like it's free Dom Perignon at a wedding. Repeat 3x. Still cold. 

6:10 AM: Consult with the coach a few concerns (and rookie mistakes) regarding stretching, breathing, and tiredness. Learn breathing techniques, food intake timing, and hydration timing. Put on my exercise jacket. 

6:15 AM: Do a final stretch. Get exercise pointers. Chug my water. Get our TNT PR shirt. 

6:20 AM: Go home and inhale my breakfast. Shower again. Feel excited about the run and wish I could run feeling as light as a feather. Regret the pizza and wine I had last night. Feel overall happy with my small achievements, and look forward to what's coming up next. 

Voilà, mes amies!
Enjoy the photos below. :)

B.