Nocturnal Mission

This was a normal week with an actual long run. Thursday's skies were pretty dark. There was a 30% chance for rain but 100% chance that I was going running. I started out with Liam. At 3 miles the skies cracked open and lightly coated us in cooling liquid. Momma got nervous when it thundered and drove out to pick my little running buddy up. Good thing, at 3.5 miles, all hell broke loose. At 4.75 I was pretty confident that I was going to be killed by lightening. I sprinted over to Theater Memphis and sought sanctuary with the actors. Jessica had to pick me up too. I am very thankful she is patient with me about these things.

This week's long run was much to far for Liam to tolerate. Jessica was home last night and wanted the family to hang out, so I couldn't run long last evening/night. She leaves for work at 6:10 am and is gone until 7:30pm. The only workable scenario was for me to substitute some sleep for some training.

At 1:35am I awake after some 3 hours of sleep. At 1:55am, I was lumbering down Robin Hood Lane in my reflective safety vest (complete with in-case-of-emergency information), a tiny LED flash light, and enough water for 8 miles. Its a balmy 84 degrees. This first bit was surprisingly lucid.

At mile 8, there is a 24 hour Mapco gas station that I have stopped at several times to replenish my water and use the restroom; but we all know about the best laid plans of mice and men (If not, Google it. You really should). The cold water is turned off. I filled my bottle with steaming hot water. This was exceptionally challenging. The cold water has never bothered me, but the hot water from the tap of a filthy road side gas station was stomach turning.

I made it back to the house at the "half-way" about 3:55am. I refilled my bottle with dilute Gatorade, shed my shirt, and swapped out for a dry bandanna. At this time it was 76 degrees and there was a soothing breeze. The arches of my feet hurt from mile 12-14 like every other long run and after that I was relatively comfortable. At mile 18, I enter into Audubon Park that offers a winding forested one mile loop adjacent to a golf course without any overhead lights. My LED scarcely lights the pavement 6 feet in front to me, beyond that, complete darkness. When you see nothing in any direction but the the next step in front of you, it allows you an unparalleled opportunity to assess oneself distraction free. The pain in my feet, from arch to toe tip was exquisite. Mentally I had already experienced the highs and lows and was stable at the moment. The sleeplessness added another dimension of exhaustion I have never otherwise experienced. I made it home at 20 miles for one more refueling and a short but poignantly painful last lap. I made it back at 6:00am. Just in time to speak with Jessica before she left for work.

Tomorrow, Liam and I are going to Shelby Farms for a few miles of easy jogging and to try out his new baby carrier backpack with a few miles of hiking. Until next week.