So, Saturday marked my last 'long run' in my training schedule towards my half marathon race this coming weekend.
My schedule, which has practically run my life for 12 weeks now, told me to run 5 miles, so that is what I set out to do. I was relieved that I didn't have to run another 10 mile (or more) run as I had over the past few weekends. Anything over 5 miles requires so much more planning. I have to eat lots of carbs the night before. I have to carry special energy fuel for the run (Shot Blocks). I have to carry more water. It is just so much more complicated.
I was pleased that this run was just a simple 5 miles.
Wanting to run at Glenmore Reservoir, but not doing the entire loop of 9 miles, I had a plan to do an 'in and out'. This means, I would run 3 miles 'in' (away from my starting point) and 2 miles 'out' (back towards my car), leaving me with one mile to walk and allow my heartrate to return to normal.
So, off I went... The sun was shining. The path was full of other like-minded people out for exercise and enjoyment. I had music in my ears, courtesy of my iPhone. I felt strong and capable.
I lost myself in the beauty of the day and the rhythm of my feet and it wasn't until I had already passed my 3 mile marker that I realized I had over run my target! No matter...I turned around and continued back the other way. I was feeling good; nothing hurt, I still had energy, and I was looking forward to our weekend away.
Loving the moment and wanting to document my final long run of my training schedule, I stopped briefly to pull out my iPhone and take a few pics before stuffing it back in my pocket and zipping it safely shut. The next 2 miles sailed by quickly as I nodded and smiled at others along the path, noting those who were out for a leisurely walk as compared to the bikers and runners who were obviously in training like myself.
Finishing my last 2 miles, I slowed to a walk and checked my watch to tell me my pace and time. Pleased with my 5 miles in 47 minutes, I was glad to be able to mentally check off the box on my training schedule.
Having walked for several minutes at that point, I realized that due to overshooting my target, I still had a couple of miles left before arriving at my car. Knowing that my dear husband was at home awaiting my return so that we could head out to our condo in Canmore, I decided I would run the last few miles as it would save me time. Heaven knows I was capable, and it seemed to take so long just walking...so off I went at a decent clip once again.
Upon returning to my car, I stopped to stretch and smile at myself for going beyond the goal of 5 miles and actually logging an extra 2 miles for a total of 7.
Before stepping into my car, I unloaded the contents of my pockets...my mini water bottle, some kleenex, my iPhone and headphones, and my driver's license (which all running gurus suggested I carry on my person for safety reasons).
Only my driver's license wasn't there!
I checked again. I checked all the other pockets in my jacket. I looked on the ground around me in case it had fallen out while unloading the other items. No luck. I knew for certain that I had tucked it in the pocket with my iPhone, knowing that would be safest. I would be accessing my other pocket containing my water bottle throughout the run and did not want to run the risk of my license falling out without me being aware. I had read in one of my books about that happening to a runner, and I had taken precautions to ensure nothing like that would happen to me. I don't lose things. I plan ahead to avoid such silly mishaps. Only here I was...
And then it hit me... I had taken out my iPhone to take a picture or two...and it was at the farthest point of my run!!!
Knowing my husband would be expecting me home soon, I texted him to tell him that I was about to retrace my steps along the trail to see if I could find my license. The high I had been experiencing only moments before had disappeared and a feeling of dread and regret flooded over me.
Fortunately, there was another parking lot around the south side of the park which would get me closer to the point where I suspected my license had fallen out. After driving around and reparking, I hit the trail again, only this time in my sandals...
Of course I ran. I was so conscious of the time I had now wasted and wanted to get this ordeal over with.
As I ran I contemplated what I would do if my license was not in the spot I suspected it would be. What if someone else found it and picked it up? What would they do with it...set it alongside the trail hoping the victim would return to find it? Would they pop it in the mail to return it to me? Would they sell it to someone who looked similar to me as false identification?
And what would I do if I didn't get it back? I imagined the lengthy process of reapplying for a new license...and do you have to report a stolen license and do they 'cancel' it?
I also noticed the funny looks I was getting from others along the path seeing me run in my sandals. And then my mind rationalized it by thinking that this is what this whole barefoot running thing must feel like...and how do they know that I am not training for barefoot running and this is just an interim step?
Just as I was approaching a mile and a half along the trail and the bend where I was sure I had pulled out my iPhone and hence dropped my license, my iPhone rang. Glancing at the screen, I saw it was my husband and suspected he was about to enquire of my whereabouts and what was taking so long.
However, his first words were, "A guy just dropped off your license at the house."
I nearly fell over!
Ready to cry, either from relief, disbelief or exhaustion (I'm not sure), I stopped and turned back on the trail for the second time that day.
All in all, things turned out well. My license was returned. There are still good people in this world. The sun was still shining. We made it out to Canmore with plenty of time to lounge in Starbucks and do a little shopping before heading out to a lovely dinner.
And on my last weekend run of only 5 miles...I had run a total of 10 miles!
