Eureka!

Today I did the elusive evening rain run.

I call it elusive because I rarely run in the evening (I'm planning to run a marathon that starts at 5am, so I figure I should do my training runs around the same time...or 3 hours thereafter, same difference). Not only that, but I have never run in the rain.

Wait. Not never. I used to run in the rain as a child. Even as a 20 year old when I'd kick off my flip flops and enjoy the feel of the wet grass under my feet. I'm a sagittarius. I like simple things like wet grass.

However, I have never run in the rain for a reason other than sheer entertainment and bliss. And I don't need to remind anyone that running, for me, is not quite 'blissful' just yet. The last little while, though, I have had so many people talking around me about how much they enjoy running in the rain. I knew it was something I would need to try, especially since there is going to be more bad weather than good during my training.

But, truth be told, my one weakness was running in the rain. It rained

 yesterday so I didn't go out. I just don't even consider it. So I had to force myself tonight after work to go out.

This decision, and the subsequent run led to several eureka moments for me.

Eureka 1: Running in the rain, although uncomfortable at first, is nice for the simple fact that it cools you down as you go. Hallelujah.

Eureka 2: When Jeff bugs me about improving my diet to run the marathon, he's right. I hate that. Jeff being right that is. See, I worked an 8-hour shift and came home and wanted to relax. I figured, since it looked like rain, I probably wouldn't go out. So I debated over a glass of wine or a can of Diet A&W Root Beer. Since the Fantasia party is tomorrow, I decided to hold off on the wine, and go for the soda. (And yes, I call it soda. It's the one thing that stuck with me after living in the US for 6 months, I've tried to shake it. It's impossible.)

Anyway, I had about half the can of soda and then had this moment of 'I really should go for a run or else I'll keep making excuses for the rest of the week'. I jumped up, changed, and went out. And dealt with hiccups for my first chunk, and shortness of breath for the whole run. Next time, only water before a run. Perhaps only water before December 13th. I doubt I have that will power though.

Eureka 3: Leading off of something I said in Eureka 2, I discovered the absolute importance of just doing things. Nike suddenly makes sense to me. The minute it comes into my head, I need to go. Otherwise, I'm going to talk myself out of it. This talking out process takes all of 5 minutes, whereas the initial decision to go for a run usually takes 20 minutes to an hour. 

Eureka 4: Running anywhere within Jeff's vicinity makes me push harder. Maybe it's him acting like he's God after running 30km, maybe it's because I still have a bit of a school girl crush on him. Either way, Thursday nights are Ultimate Frisbee for Jeff. Lucky for me, tonight he was playing at the high school field that I run past on my way out on my run.

Now, normally my run follows this pattern. I leave the apartment. I speed walk for about 500m before coming to a fork in the path. At the fork, I stretch. After stretching, I start running. I run my usual distance, and come back the same way. At the fork, or within it's vicinity depending on my run-to-walk minutes for that day, I start speed walking for a cool down.

Tonight, knowing that Jeff was on the field, which falls before my fork - well, I just couldn't be caught walking. So, I stretched right away and ran. I actually ran a 3-and-1, because I was so focused on just looking awesome as I passed my boyfriend and his teammates. Inside I was dying, but I couldn't let him see. On the way back, same thing happened. I thought I was going to die, as I had run 2-and-1's for the rest of my run (just like I had planned!). But when I came into view of the field, I pushed - keeping my form good, my strides long, and ran right past my usual marker for stopping. 

It felt good because I know I was rocking it. And I know my boyfriend (30-Km Man) was watching.

Eureka 5: This one actually didn't happen tonight, but it's still a good eureka moment that cannot be left forgotten. I joke that after 21, I have woken up every day to find a new roll (of fat, that is, for anyone not into the lingo). About 6 months ago, I discovered what I have fondly named my boob roll. This is the little bit of extra fat that sits under the bra. It basically becomes like another boob. Yet men don't appreciate it the way they do regular boobs. Funny.

Anyway, on Tuesday, I was quite pleased to realize that my boob roll is gone. Obviously, any girl (or guy for that matter), is happy to have less rolls. But this is a huge development for me, as diabetics, thanks to the steady doses of insulin (a protein), tend to take 2-3 times as long as an average person to lose weight/inches. A discovery that knocked me off my health kick 3 years ago when I would go to the gym with my roommate and she would lose 3 inches daily, while I sat neutral. Neutral like Switzerland - including the chocolate part. 

So yay, one roll down, only like, well, a few, to go.

Eureka 6: I've learned a new trick to push myself further when I think I'm going to stop running before I should. Head down. 

The combo of the soda and just general fatigue from the day made every 2 minutes of running absolute hell. But every time (Especially on the uphills!) I would just put my head down and focus on my feet. Before I knew it, I had succeeded in reaching my goal. 

I like this trick.

Eureka 7: My final Eureka moment is about sweat. Sweat. I hate sweat. That was moment 7. Which I had to share as it can be very entertaining when, well, I'm training for a marathon. I have noticed that, not only do I refuse to touch Jeff after any activity until he is showered, but after I run, there is my general aerobatics trying to get out of my sports bra.

To me, this isn't because there is anything difficult about getting out of it, just simply, I can't let the sweaty garment touch my body/face after I remove it from my skin the first time. Not only that, but I cannot run without every last hair away from my face. Headband, clips, hair elastics, they all go up there, just so that my hair doesn't get caught in the sweat field. Maybe I should focus on getting over this problem.

Right now, we seem to be in a limbo point - a wall of sorts I suppose. Our fundraising has slowed in preparation for the upcoming events over the next two weeks. I find myself making excuses when it comes to going out on my runs, and when I do, I don't notice enormous amounts of development.

But these little Eureka moments help me realize that I am changing and developing and improving. As I learn these little idiosyncrasies about myself, my training, and running in general, I hope the rest will come even easier.