It's a Long Run

So sometimes the run is all about the physical... and sometimes its about the mental. I did my final 21 km run on saturday before the Women's half in 2 weeks. Saturday was a day full of crappy weather, which I was thankful for when I started the run (I hate running in the heat), but it quickly became humid. 20 mins into my run, my entire body was drenched in sweat and rain. Still, I was going strong, not at as fast a pace as last time, but I purposely ran slower because I didn't want to burn myself out 2 weeks before the race, where the pace actually matters. But then I hit the 13k mark...and it all fell apart. I was feeling some aches, but physically I was ok. What was lacking, was my mental focus. I was exhausted and emotionally spent (and feeling very dehydrated as the humidity had caused me to drink all my water earlier in the run). At about 15.5k I knew I needed some encouragement so I called Nick and hearing his voice made everything a thousand times better. Feeling a little stronger, I continued running. However 15 mins later, I felt my body giving up on me. My head was throbbing and I knew I was desperately in need of some water. So I called my wonderful boyfriend again and begged him to bring me some water, which thankfully he did. 10 mins later, with 2.5 k left, he found me and I don't think I've ever been so happy to see his face. He refilled my belt and gave me a water bottle to drink and I felt instantly better. With some final words of encouragement and a kiss, I went on my way determined to finish the run (there's that stubbornness again). After all of that I made it home, and picked up my pace significantly during the last couple kms (although I think that was more out of a desperation to get home than a renewed feeling of strength).

And now, 2 days later, I'm still feeling tired. I had my usual rest day on Sunday, and woke up this morning to go for a short 5-7k run and just couldn't bring myself to do it. I even got up and started getting changed, but it wasn't happening, all I wanted to do was eat... and eat.. and eat.. and eat.
Hopefully the extra day of rest will mean that I will be ready to go tomorrow. Now if only the weather will cooperate....