Running on Empty

"I think I was spitting blood."

"No, it just tastes like that."

Add this to the list of conversations I never want to have in the first hour I'm awake ... Who am I kidding. That's on the list of conversations I never want to have again - EVER!

It all came from a HORRIBLE morning run today.

I didn't get my training run in yesterday, so when Kevin mentioned he was going to run a quick mile this morning, I decided to do the same. We left the house at the same time, but went in different directions: Kevin running to the left and me to the right (there is a nasty hill to the left!). I wanted to push my pace, but I knew I couldn't keep up with him.

So, I ran faster than I ever have.

I didn't even make it a full mile before I had to walk. Even my head was in a weird place. Honestly, I thought I was on one street when I stopped, but it turned out to be another. Breathing was hard, I was spitting out phlegm (but not blood apparently) with every other step and my head was pounding.

No more morning running for me! At least not unless I am MUCH more hydrated. It was awful. The walk home seemed to take ages even though it was only .33 miles. I was dizzy, nauseated, and my head began to REALLY pound. I've been coughing ever since and my lungs feel like they were raked across a cheese grater.  When I got home, I just laid on the couch and shook while Kevin got me water.

And I think that was the problem: I was running on empty. Though I'd had my usual two cups of water before heading out, it was not enough to fuel my run.

Running is awful for me if I'm not well hydrated. While training for my 5k, the hardest runs were on days when I didn't drink as much water as I normally do. Add to that the physical activity and you see the problem. Breathing was hard, my mouth would go all cotton-y and I would have to spit every few minutes (but it didn't taste like blood!).

I started buying powdered Gatorade to mix up before my runs and the difference was amazing. The spitting stopped almost immediately and the cotton-mouth disappeared too. My muscles felt better during and after. Running first thing in the morning however, means my body is less hydrated (not to mention caffeinated) and able to take on the physical exertion.

While morning runs may not be the best idea for me ... coffee totally is. Please, excuse me.....