Rapture Run II... the sequel

In theaters and in books, sequels are often not as entertaining as originals. Something might feel a little forced or stale. This sequel is no exception to that rule. If you missed my original Training for the Rapture, you might want to go back and check it out here. Maps, pictures, video, pants-crapping, dehydration... the whole nine yards... and a major self-destruct at the end, cutting the run short. Had it been truly a post-Apocalyptic incident, the zombies/aliens/Satan would have gotten me for sure.

Yesterday's sequel proved to be boring but successful. Will Smith would have been proud. No drama...no pictures... all business... just focused on finishing the run... no distractions.

I learned from last week's mistakes... the biggie was the water issue. I went out and got one of these...

I LOVE this thing. Amphipod handheld. It was not cheap, but the moment I slipped my hand into the little neoprene sleeve with fleecy-lined snack-and-key pocket, I knew it was a match made in heaven. Soooo comfortable... I hardly knew I was carrying it even when full.

I filled my new new (!) water bottle, stuffed a few pitted dates into the zippered pocket and drove to the site for my second attempt at 9 brutally hilly miles. I made a few changes to the plan... it made things mentally easier but physically harder. I opted to do 9.25 miles... three laps plus once up the spur and then out and back 0.25 each way... instead of two laps of hills plus a longer out and back. My pace would be slow and steady... just finish... just survive.

Some things working in my favor this time:

1. it was 10 degrees cooler, 
2. there was no up-in-the-air about when I could do it so I was well-fed at the right times and properly hydrated prior to leaving the house... and 
3. I was able to take care of some evacuatory biz before leaving as well.

I tried out the new Seven Wonders of the boob world running bra in this challenging setting, too ... it seemed to work out well and was quite comfortable, but it's possible that I was just too focused on survival to notice any glitches in comfort or performance. At least none of the hikers or bikers headed toward me made weird, ogling faces so that was a good sign that bounce-control was happening.

Some things I learned:

1. Water is a good thing. I will now always bring water on runs where I am unsure of water supply. 
2. Steep hills are really hard and you run slower going up them. They are difficult to go down, too, but you can go a little faster. 
3. I hate those shoes... or maybe it was just the pitted and slanted trail :/

The best parts of the run were:

• got a tan line on my legs that you can actually see. It was still there after my shower, so I know it wasn't just dirt.
• my awesome ice bath when it was all over.
• I DID IT!  it was a huge confidence-builder after last week's disappointment. While I didn't crush it, I feel great about how I did. I tried to keep it off the clock, but well.... Suffice it to say that the numbers really didn't matter, I just used them for a gauge to keep myself honest about both effort and hydration.

Feels good to have it done :)