the one gallon challenge

One Full Gallon

The other week I ran outside when it was technically advised by the red cross for individuals to not do any strenuous activities. It was hot. I kept thinking about how at last years Boilermaker they kept calling it the brrr-limaker because it was the coldest start they've every had. I was putting ice in my hat & sports bra during that race. So I knew that I would have to tackle the monster that is running in the heat. That heat, much like rain or cold in the fall runs couldn't be an excuse for me.

I set out for my 5K loop in the Saratoga State Park. I felt good but knew I was slow. This is common, for you to run at least a minute slower of a pace when it is hot out. But towards the end, even the 17 minute pace seemed impossible. So I walked the last .25

About half way through the run I started thinking about water. About how I should have drank more within the day. About where I was going to get some after running. I remembered my empire state bottle in the trunk! So I drove over to the spring fountain in the park and then while searching through my bag I also found a Gatorade packet.

Usually, I just drink water after a run. However this day, my fingers were once again swollen like sausages. So I felt like watered down Gatorade couldn't hurt. It was then that I realized my sometimes fully consumed half gallon of water was not enough. In comes the one gallon challenge. I need to drink a full gallon of water a day, especially on days that I plan on running (Monday, Thursday, and Saturday's)

It might not sound like a lot to some, to others it sounds crazy. It's 8 pint glasses worth of water. There's that old adage. I needed to break it down into AM and PM. If I have it on my desk then I know I have to drink it. So I've got the AM & PM half gallons. It's 11am and I'm down 3 pints. The most frustrating part is having to get up and mosey past the same offices a billion times a day to go use the restroom.

So why do all of this crazy stuff? I want to do this. I want to get a better time at the Boilermaker. I want to finish the Hudson Half Marathon. I want to know that a fat kid (be it inner or outer) can run a marathon. I woke up from a dream the other morning. One where I was laying down in all my race gear for a nap next to a woman I adore after just finishing a marathon. I dreamt that I ran a marathon. That I finished a marathon.

It's always been a dream that I could run a marathon by the time I'm 35 (I'm 33 now) but before when I said it, it didn't seem real or possible. It was something I thought i would just end up giving up on because it was too hard. Now, it seems kind of reasonable. Scary as all hell but reasonable.

But I know I have to change how I do things. I have to be more committed. I have to pay attention to hydration, nutrition, and strength training. Not hard core but more committed.

Well the 4th pint of AM has been poured and I've got 45 minutes before PM starts. Sometimes I just shake my head and think "Hollie, you are crazy" but then it makes me smile. So I know I am doing something right.