Running Sucks...especially in a drought!

So my title might not be the most lady-like, but it's the truth.  Running Sucks...sometimes!  Here in Indiana we are having a real drought this summer.  We are currently on watering restrictions or bans depending on where you live, and some people who live on water (I wish I could say that was me, but who am I kidding!) can't even get their boats out because they are stuck in the mud!

However, the drought I'm talking about is my figurative running drought.  I think all runners go through this yo-yo effect where we are crazy about running for a particular race or reason, and then we fall into a drought.  After my marathon, I continued to stay in shape a bit until Mayish.  This is when all of my other friends ran the Mini Marathon, and I had continued my runs with them for a while.  Since then, I have been in a drought.  An occasional 2-3miler, but nothing to be proud of in regards to time or effort.

My friend, Ali, was home for the weekend from Chicago and asked me to join her for a Saturday run.  Little did I know she was training for the Chicago half, and needed to run 7 miles.  Remember, I've been in a drought.  Since May I've run a handful of times and only 2-3 miles.  My running partner was going 7, never mind her boyfriend who was running 14 miles!!!!

So, we were a mile in and I realized I wasn't going to be able to keep up...demoralizing.  The picture above shows Ali and me after running a marathon!  That's 26.2 miles together!  Yes, I couldn't even run a mile at her pace.  When you do the math further, it's more than demoralizing, just down right EMBARRASSING!  

After attempting to continue the conversation for a few more minutes, I had a moment of self awareness.  Mary Beth, if you continue to run with Ali, at her pace, you will a.) not be able to walk tomorrow  b.) not be able to breath in about 10 minutes  c.) not be able to make it HOME to catch your breath and rest your legs!  After this stream of consciousness, I said goodbye to Ali, ran a little bit more and then turned around.  My pace slowed wayyyyy down.  Oh, you really want to know how much it slowed down?  Okay, well my first mile was 7 minutes and 56 seconds.  My third mile was 9 minutes 34 seconds.  Pathetic.  But I did run.  I did more than I had done.  I ran 3.41 miles.  I got started again. 

Moral of my running drought:  There will be times when running sucks and you feel , but there are ALWAYS times to get back in the game.  

Have you been in a drought lately with something?  

My new running buddy was spayed today and is a bit under the weather, but I'll be back later in the week to show how we are rebounding from our droughts!