How to run an unintentional 15K.
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- Wake up and put on the running clothes that you set out the night before. ( I HAVE to do this or a run or trip to the gym will never happen.)
- Have a yummy salad with lots of protein for breakfast.
- Work on your Capstone for a bit.
- Decide out where you want to run, and the distance involved. (Nearby, 4 miles)
- Head out! (I drove to a local battlefield/state park that I really love.)
- Dont bring water or fuel with you cause it's a short run and you are going straight home afterwards.
- Park, take a deep breath, and start!
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- Here's where it really starts to get fun...
- Decide to take a "different route"
- Run along and realize you really have NOIDEA where you are...other than on a road in the park.
- Come to a 'T' in the road.
- Realize this 'T' is Route 3.
- 4 Lane highway with a median, speed limit 55 (so you know everyone is doing 72)
- Make the smart decision and TURN AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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**Note** Do NOT do the next step. Under any conditions. I DO NOT condone my own behavior. My bad decision. The worst decision I have EVER made in my life. E. V. E. R.
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- Decide to CROSS THE ROAD (again, DO not do this), because you realize where you are and that there is a great trail to run over there...
- Needless to say, because I am here yping, I made it accross.
- After about a mile of FREAKING out over what I had just done, I realized I would have to cross that road again. REALLY? Yes, really
- Run the road and the trail for a few more miles.
- Spend a few minutes looking at your phone GPS to figure out where to turn now.
- Make a wrong turn in the woods.
- Realize the music you have been listening to is no longer playing...your phone is dead.
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- Find a road and follow it.
- Realize it leads to... Route 3 again. (Luckily, thankfully, delightfully, a miracle, I can't even describe the level of relief I experienced when I saw a light at the intersection.)
- Cross safely.
- Run along a busy 2 lane road and notice a battlefield sign! (Instant JOY!)
- Turn down the road and run about a mile.
- See a Park Ranger vehicle coming ahead.
- Flag him down!
- Ask him where the heck you are and how to get back to McLaws drive.
- Follow his directions and make no wrong turns.
- Find your car, kiss it, and then drive home.
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So, after I got home I went and figured the mileage, I felt like I had run 100 miles. In the end I had run 9.43 miles, or 15.1K.
My time wasn't great, but for getting lost, looking at my phone, asking for directions, and slowing down, looking around, and marveling at my dumb choices, not so bad.
Thankfully it was a beautiful day for a run, started out around 31, and tapered off around 47. It was a good practice of running in the cold for me and patience with myself.
I have been running more and more and am loving this journey. I think the hardest part of today was not being mentally prepared. I made poor decisions along the way and really brought this upon myself. Usually I am pretty good with dealing with ambiguity. Running has lead me into this grey area a few times, but nothing like this. Here's the thing--made it. As simple as that. I made it out (in one piece...literally), mentally and physically.
This is an exciting realization, and I'm looking forward to continuing this journey.
Just not accross Route 3 again.