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"Only 12"

Today was a taper run of "only 12" miles. It still cracks me up to think of 12 miles as "only" anything because 2.5 years ago the idea of double-digit miles under my own propulsion would have been ridiculous. Now it seems to be a not unpleasant distance.

It was hot when started out. Very hot. I decided that I would run in the shady places if and when I felt good and I did some of that. I had planned my route so that I knew where there was water for all but the middle 5 miles so I didn't have to carry any. All is well, except it was hot. I timed the run to avoid the rain that was supposed to roll in this afternoon...only 10% chance of rain through 2 PM.

Rose 0, Rain 1

Around mile 5 it started getting dark. At first I thought it was a somewhat welcome reprieve from the heat. Then around mile 6, where I turned around on 146th Street, it started to thunder. Back on the Hagan-Burke Trail the air got very still except for the eerie rustle of small leaves. I thought "this isn't good" - and the thunder was continuing and it wasn't quite hot enough for it to be just the heat. Then it started to sprinkle, then pour. I mean, IU Mini in 2009 pour...but I kept trucking along. Feet were squishing in my shoes and my shorts were glued to me, but I kept going. Stopped at a drinking fountain because I was thirsty after the 5 mile section with no water. Got to an underpass and there were about a dozen cyclists, runners, and walkers huddled in there...I kept going since I was already soaked. And then there was sun and fluffy white clouds and then the rain stopped. I was still drenched, but there was only three miles to go. So much for 10% chance of rain, for 20 minutes it was a deluge.

Picked up the pace for the last .15 miles or so. Finished 2 minutes ahead of where I wanted to. Granted I was mostly walking and only running when it felt good, but it got done and I actually feel ok...like it was "only 12."

8 next weekend and then we do this thing.

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