Wow! Have you ever had a run where it starts out fabulously and then in an instant turns incredibly bad? Well that was our run today. For my dad at least. Poor guy was doing so well and then BAM!
We wanted new scenery so we headed to the Ogden Parkway. I was worried about running this trail because when I mapped it online I could only come up with 5 miles one way so only 10 miles total. Today's run called for a mighty 14 miles. It gets harder and harder coming up with those distances and trying not to repeat too much scenery. My dad assured me we would be able to take some side trails to come up with the 14 miles. Coming up with the distance turned out to be the easy part.
Our run started off so well. My dad was excited because of how pretty the run would be. I was a little nervous because I hadn't exercised much this past week, but I felt ready. Off we went. We headed down the trail and just kept running. And running. Tom (yes, i sometimes call my dad by his first name. get over it.) was doing well. We both were. He was like a deer running. He had spring in his step and seemed to be doing really well. That was until we hit mile 10. As we headed up a steep hill around mile 10 he said he needed a little longer walk break. No problem. Then we started off again. But by mile 11 I think he hit a mini wall. He was starting to lose that spring and just seemed a bit heavy. He said he had heartburn and felt full or bloated. I thought it was from all the water he was drinking on every walk break we took. I ran ahead to try to be a pacer for him. I can't remember what mile it was but I was up ahead a bit when I turned around and couldn't see him. I stopped and waited. He came around the corner and headed towards me when he just said, "I fell." I felt SOOO bad. I wasn't there for him. Luckily he kind of laughed so I knew it must not be too bad but he did have scuff marks on his legs and arms. His marshmallow shoes didn't quite make it off the curb and he went down. He said a car pulled over and asked if he was ok. He said he must have looked like a whale trying to get up. I gotta be honest here. I am laughing as I am typing this. Oh don't get offended. My dad laughs at us all the time. But it is so funny now in my head all the things that went wrong on this run. This fall was just the beginning. And we only had like 2 miles to go!
We wanted new scenery so we headed to the Ogden Parkway. I was worried about running this trail because when I mapped it online I could only come up with 5 miles one way so only 10 miles total. Today's run called for a mighty 14 miles. It gets harder and harder coming up with those distances and trying not to repeat too much scenery. My dad assured me we would be able to take some side trails to come up with the 14 miles. Coming up with the distance turned out to be the easy part.
Our run started off so well. My dad was excited because of how pretty the run would be. I was a little nervous because I hadn't exercised much this past week, but I felt ready. Off we went. We headed down the trail and just kept running. And running. Tom (yes, i sometimes call my dad by his first name. get over it.) was doing well. We both were. He was like a deer running. He had spring in his step and seemed to be doing really well. That was until we hit mile 10. As we headed up a steep hill around mile 10 he said he needed a little longer walk break. No problem. Then we started off again. But by mile 11 I think he hit a mini wall. He was starting to lose that spring and just seemed a bit heavy. He said he had heartburn and felt full or bloated. I thought it was from all the water he was drinking on every walk break we took. I ran ahead to try to be a pacer for him. I can't remember what mile it was but I was up ahead a bit when I turned around and couldn't see him. I stopped and waited. He came around the corner and headed towards me when he just said, "I fell." I felt SOOO bad. I wasn't there for him. Luckily he kind of laughed so I knew it must not be too bad but he did have scuff marks on his legs and arms. His marshmallow shoes didn't quite make it off the curb and he went down. He said a car pulled over and asked if he was ok. He said he must have looked like a whale trying to get up. I gotta be honest here. I am laughing as I am typing this. Oh don't get offended. My dad laughs at us all the time. But it is so funny now in my head all the things that went wrong on this run. This fall was just the beginning. And we only had like 2 miles to go!
He seemed to recover from the fall and we were back on track. Next thing I know he is fidgeting with his hat. I told him I thought he had overdressed with the long-sleeved shirt but he assured me it was fine. But something was wrong with the hat. I offered to carry it for him. Turns out there was a cardboard piece in there that he had never taken out and it was holding all the sweat to his head. He pulled it out and threw it away. A little bit later he says, "Where's my sunglasses?" Geez, I don't know. I guess they flew off when he took off his hat. I didn't see or hear anything. We didn't turn back but I know he was upset about losing them. He said the glasses wasn't the only thing he lost on that run. He was pretty sure he lost two toenails too.
I later learned what he ate for breakfast before the run. Cereal. OK That is good. Orange juice. Well that probably caused the heartburn. BACON & EGGS! What? You ate ALL that? Grease! Dad, that is what made you feel bloated and heavy. He didn't mention it but I am betting he had toast and hash browns too. He's famous for his extravagant breakfasts. Geez dad. Next time take it easy on the food.
The run wasn't the easiest for me either. I had to pee the entire time. I'm known for having to go to the bathroom more than once before a run and I just didn't get it all out. The last block was pure torture and I will proudly reveal that only a little slipped out. :) Don't read my blog if you don't want all the gruesome details. I quickly went into Rainbow Gardens where I confirmed that I truly ran with a full bladder.
At the end of the run all my dad could say was, "That run just kicked my ass!" I told him not to worry about it. Everyone has to have a few bad runs. I've cried on a few of mine.
Tom came in just a few minutes behind me but these are the stats from my watch.
**STATS**
Distance: 14.01
Time: 2:22:12
Pace: 10:09/min/mile
Temperature: 53 degrees
Time of Day: 12:01 p.m.
Distance: 14.01
Time: 2:22:12
Pace: 10:09/min/mile
Temperature: 53 degrees
Time of Day: 12:01 p.m.
I wanted to show the actual running trail so here is me fake running. My dad happened to take the pic right when I did a hop with both arms forward. My family makes fun of my running form saying I have a goofy run but I don't run this goofy!
My dad wanted to follow my lead and headed across the bridge and wanted me to take the picture as he crossed it. Funny thing is, we didn't even run on this bridge!
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