7 Chapters in a long run.

Chapter 1: The First 15 Minutes

I feel like crap. I ate too much too soon before running. I think I might have to poop again. My sunglasses aren’t comfortable. I should have never worn these shorts. How am I going to run 23 miles today when I don’t feel like I could even make it back home from where I am now?

Chapter 2: The Next 75 minutes

I love running. It‘s so awesome to be out running while everyone else is still asleep. I love hearing nothing but the birds waking up. I feel like I could run forever today. I’m so glad I’m in such great shape. I am going to rock this marathon in 3 weeks. Ryan Hall’s got nothing on me.

Chapter 3: 90 mins in

I wonder what my pace is. I’d better ease off a bit. Crap - I’m just barely half-way done. What happens if I don’t have enough to finish? I have to pee so freakin’ bad. Where did I stick my next water-bottle again? Nice turn-signal buddy. I hate drivers. Oh great - the sweet smell of fresh farm fertilizer *rolls eyes*

Chapter 4: Crossing into the 3rd hour

How long have I’ve been running? An hour and 50 mins.

How about now? An hour and 53 mins. Okay - I won’t check my watch again for awhile.

How about now? An hour and 57 mins.

Chapter 5: 7 miles to go

You know, I really do feel pretty good. I think I’m gonna be alright today. Maybe I can even kick in the last few miles. I read about that recently. What did they call that? Progression run, right? Yeah - I’ll tell everyone how I did my long run as a “progression run”. Just like the Hanson runners. I should start something like that out here. I’ll open a running shoe store and design workouts for people. It’ll be huge! I can’t wait to tell Dad and Mix about this idea!

Chapter 6: The last 3 miles

Okay - time to pick it up. Remember - it’s a Progression Run. Training like the pro’s! That’s me. Wow - this is tough. Do I have to run hard the whole 3 miles? Okay just suck it up. Suck it Princess – relentless forward motion “My time is now! I’m coming alive!” Okay - no more looking at the watch until I finish. Crap - I just looked again. Okay no more checking starting now. Crap - checked again.

Chapter 7 - The Finish

Yeah baby - 23 miles. I rule. Hey – I see my neighbour walking his dog. If I walk by maybe he’ll ask me how far I ran. Shoot - he went inside the lift. I’ll keep walking and then turn around and walk by again. He’ll be so impressed when I tell him how far I ran. Crap – he didnt hold the lift door for me!! Grrr....