Unfortunately, Fortunately

Ever play that game? Someone starts a story along the lines of: Unfortunately, the oldest man in town died, and then the next person says something like: Fortunately, it turned out he was my long lost uncle and he left me all his money. And then the next person has to come up with another unfortunately, and the game continues.

Fortunately, I was passing the time during my run today playing that game with myself. Unfortunately, the unfortunatelies were kinda outweighing the fortunatelies for a while.

Fortunately, I woke up this morning ready and motivated to go out for a long run. I ate my usual pre-run brekkie of yogourt and granola with a small cup of coffee and sat down to map out my route. Unfortunately, I somehow dawdled away 3 hours before making it out the door so scarfed down a granola bar on the way out to make sure I would have enough energy to make it around my planned 12.3 mile route.

Fortunately, the first 5 kms felt great. The sun was shining through the clouds, there was a light breeze, my legs felt strong, and I hit the 5k point at exactly 30 minutes, right on my goal pace. Unfortunately, the next 5 km did not go so well. My right foot started to get pins and needles, a problem I haven't had in ages, my left knee started to hurt (I'm guessing because of all the downhills that followed all of those uphills over the past 2 days, or because of the 10km walk I took in flip flops while enjoying the summery weather on Thursday), I was getting very thirsty and was regretting the decision NOT to carry water and then out of nowhere strong winds were practically blowing me over.

Fortunately, I still hit the 10 km mark right on pace. Unfortunately, about 200 metres later (as soon as I'd turned off the highway where no one could see), I started walking and really beating myself up. I felt terrible. Why hadn't I had more water yesterday after my run in Williams Lake? Why hadn't I gone to bed earlier last night? Why hadn't I left earlier for my run today? Why had I worn this stupid cotton t-shirt that was sticking to me in the unseasonable humidity? Why didn't I take today as a break after 2 back to back hilly runs and do my long run on Sunday? Why didn't I carry a small bottle of water with me? Why didn't I eat better all week?

Fortunately, I started to see that I couldn't keep doing this to myself. I knew I had made mistakes like drinking too much coffee yesterday and not enough water, but I also knew that some things were somewhat out of my control like eating pie and cake for lunch yesterday because I was at a pot luck where EVERYONE brought dessert. I also know that because I'll be in Vancouver for work the week before the half marathon, I'm going to be having more restaurant meals than usual and my routine is going to be in shambles much like this past week, but now I know to prepare for this by buying a few healthy snacks to pack along and making sure I have my water bottle with me at all times. Unfortunately, even with this realization, I just couldn't start running again and kept walking. For 6 kms.

Fortunately, I had Aneta's Virtual Race to motivate me. I needed to run another 2.3k to complete the race, so when I got to the big, faded, yellow 5 leftover from last year's half marathon indicating 5k back to the starting line, I started running again.

Fortunately, the attack poodle was not outside today when I passed his house.

Fortunately, after 2.3 kms, I kept running to the next sign, to the next driveway, to the next km marker, to the stop sign, to the next curve, to the finish line!

Fortunately, I ran a total of 15k today, and toured the full 21 k half marathon course, including a 6 km walk break 5 minutes faster than my finish time when I RAN the whole thing last October.

Fortunately, there was a bottle of water waiting for me in my car.