"DO NOTS" For Those Long Runs

Yesterday I did my long run.

My plan was to do a 10 miler. It was only 9.64.

My plan was to leave by 7:00 a.m. I left at 7:54 a.m.

My plan was to have great music blasting in my ears to keep my mind off my body pain. My IPOD battery died at mile two.

My plan was to run with no stops. I stopped and chatted with a good running friend I hadn't talked to for a while for almost an hour.

My plan was to not encounter any wild critters. I encountered baby skunks. At least I think they were skunks. I am now fairly convinced they were just kittens.

My plan was to not answer my cell phone unless the call was from home. I answered four non-home calls.

My plan was to make it back before it got too hot. It was 250 degrees before I returned.

My plan was to return no later than 9:30 a.m. I arrived home at 10:30 a.m.

My plan was to blog about my run as soon as I returned. I was too late and I had no time.

My plan was to have a quick recovery. I did.

I guess one out of ten isn't so bad. Hmm... Whatever.

For future reference I am making a note to self.

NOTE TO SELF:

TOP TEN DO NOTS FOR LONG RUNS

*1 Google Earth your route BEFORE you leave, not AFTER you return. It is always so disappointing to think you ran farther than you really did!

*2 Get out of bed early even IF it seems too hard at the time. You will feel fine and just dandy-roo after about 10 minutes of being up. It is much harder to run in 250 degree heat than it is to get up at 6:30 a.m. Much harder!

*3 Charge your dang IPOD! That little flashing light means the battery is about to die. If that happens on your way home from your last run, then CHARGE IT!

*4 When you run into a friend you haven't talked to in a while. Run WITH her while you talk. Especially since she was on a run too! Who cares if she is heading the other way. An hour of talking and not running is a WHOLE HOUR of NOT RUNNING!

*5 If you even think you see wild skunks, (whether you do or not) then either turn around and head back the other direction or run like H-E-double hockey sticks!!!

*6 When you forget your phone in the first place, do NOT go back and get it. If you do go back and get it, then when it rings just let it ring. EVEN. IF. IT. IS. YOUR. BIRTHDAY. If it is that important they will leave a message and you won't have to listen to them sing Happy Birthday to you. You can just delete it before they finish the chorus!

*7 If you don't want to run in extremely high temps then re- read #2. Repeat it over and over in your mind. Just get up girl!

*8 If you want to return by a specified time then follow ALL of the above!

*9 If you want to blog about your run before you forget the details then once again...DO THE ABOVE!

*10 For a quick recovery...well that's a stumper! It would logically seem that doing the above would provide a quick recovery, but since you had a quick recovery and did none of the above, then I guess it stands to reason that sometimes being a slacker pays off! Thank goodness! I was really hoping someone would tell you that!

Total Distance: 9.64 miles