WAAAATER!

I mapped out my 14 miles and was a little anxious. From here on out I'm going further than I've ever gone before. As I had run well the week before I wasn't too concerned, but it was still in my head. Out of nowhere, the weather was a sweltering 88ºF and humid. I was excited to not have to bring out the gloves and get to enjoy the change in the weather...until mile 8. By that time I was soaking wet and knew that I wasn't going to be finishing with energy. I was constantly thinking of what was the next marker that I was going to reach before finally seeing the "home-stretch." I was trying to convince myself that it wasn't really that far that I had to go. Around mile 10 I realized that I didn't have enough water and was going to have to start drinking less to make it to the finish with a drop. As I was on the final uphill straightaway, I got stopped by 3 lights, which I have yet to decide if that was a blessing or not. Part of me was relieved to have an excuse to stop moving while the other half just wanted to make it home. I finished in a record slow time and stopped to buy water. The woman asked me 5 questions as to the type of water I wanted before asking with a concerned look, "Are you okay?" I tried to smile as I took the water and guzzled it as people walking by just stared at the sweating and obviously exhausted person.