Wow, it is hot!!!

Yesterday was my biggest challenge yet.

We started out a few minutes before 8 and it was actually relatively cool which was a shock since the report had been hot and humid. We went over the Manhattan bridge and were doing a great pace up until about mile 5. I think we were still under 18 minute miles at that point.

Then, I guess the heat hit in. I could feel that I wasn't myself. I debated over having Gu Gels, more water, or what. But, I was not feeling the way I normally do in a walk. I wasn't worried about it. I just thought it was because I was walking so fast and walking with someone. So, at about 7 miles, I had a Gu. And at about 7.5 miles I decided to have some more water and a banana. I hadn't tried a banana before. Then at about 10 miles I decided to have gatorade (tried a new flavor - Rain/Berry, so good!). I drank it pretty fast because I was totally thirsty, hot and achy at that point. Well within a mile I felt nausea, crampy and like I needed to quit. I really just wanted to curl up in bed and say forget all this. This is the first time since committing to the marathon that I have contemplated ending a walk early or quitting the entire endeavor. There were 2 things that kept me going. The first was knowing how many people are behind me in accomplishing this. The second was KC. She was just pushing on. Her blood sugar was dropping, so she handled that, and she was just pushing through.

I also felt bad about our time, even though going in KC knew I was much slower than she is. I was slowing us way down. We finally caught site of the Brooklyn Bridge and I bought a bottle of water that KC and I just poured over our heads. It was bloody hot. I have never noticed all the benches on the bridge before but each one seemed to be calling my name. I also started thinking, "If I collapse, will KC figure out that I have a cell in my bag and call Mom or anyone?"

Finally, we made it over the bridge and there was the Park, Cadman Plaza. I told KC I had to sit and she could go on ahead. She didn't. She patiently stretched and waited while I convinced myself I could make it to Mom's, probably a half mile away. At his point, KC confessed that before we met up she had ALREADY done 2.5 miles. So, she would end up with 17.5 or so!! Well, I made it a quarter mile and decided to sit again by the Farmer's Market (14 miles) and wait for Mom and Emily to show up there. Emily and I creeped to mom's (4.5 blocks away) in probably 15 + minutes. My feet were killing, I was soaked, it was nuts.

The rest of the day got better. I took a long jacuzzi bath, Mom fed me, I napped and then I was ravenous, so Emily and I went to a local haunt, Teresa's. I had all good intentions to eat well, and uh, the hunger took over. I had Chicken noodle soup, potato pierogis, and ,dare I admit, a vanilla shake! It hit the spot. I think for recovery you are supposed to have as much protein as possible, well I blew that. But after sleeping more than 10 hours last night, I feel almost back to myself.

Time wise. I need to confirm with KC, but I think including the 5 minutes in cadman park our 15 miles took 4 hours 40 minutes or 20 minutes per mile or 3mph. That sounds way too fast to me, I will have to check into that. If it is fast, it is faster than I did 2 weeks ago and just a hair slower than last week. So, I will take it and know that I am truly progressing!

I was supposed to do 6 miles today, but I am backing out because of the humidity and fear.