Or very close to it. In spite of the perfect weather and temperature, with no wind, I felt really awful. I had zero energy. It was like my whole body was already exhausted even before I ran. My left knee started acting up and threatened to swell up on me. I walked a lot. I felt pain all over. The insteps of both feet mysteriously began burning intensely as if someone had put hydrochloric acid cream in my socks. That was and still is a total mystery since I changed nothing in either my gear or my routine. I ended up finishing in 1:37:10, well below my planned 1:22:30.
Thoughts of quitting running danced merrily through my head. Every time this sort of crap happens I wonder: Is this the end?
I have allowed myself a few moments of self-pity. Anything more than that is a waste of my life. Deep down inside I know I will never give up.
