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15 Miles(ish) and a Little Help From a Cop

Last night I realized that the best time for me to have my long run this weekend was going to be Friday morning. The plan was to run 15 miles, at a 9:44 pace. Well--my average running pace was 9:42, and I covered 15 miles. 

Ok, the truth? I ran 12 miles at 9:42 pace. And then I walked for 3 miles. I. was. exhausted. 



When I started this morning at 8, it was 73 degrees and 100% humidity. When I finished around 11, it was 88 degrees and 95% humidity. It was torturous. I would give my left arm for a treadmill right now. Wait--then where would I put my Garmin? Oh, right. No need for one if you're on a treadmill! 

I fueled the run with a Chocolate #9 gel (delicious!), a Powerade, and then Gatorade near the end because I just couldn't bear it. I got the bottle from a vending machine, and then spent 3 minutes trying to open the darn thing. Sweaty hands, a wet bottle, and weak muscles = me wanting to cry because I wanted my Gatorade! A cop drove by and I asked him really nicely to open it for me. After he laughed for a good 30 seconds, he opened it for me. Thanks officer!

Luckily I had a bath full of this:



And now I'm munching on these:




While reading this:




Yep, I think today should be a great day after all. 

I'm heading to New Orleans on Sunday for a quick 3 day, 2 night trip with hubs and a friend. Anyone been to NOLA before? Any advice on what to see, where to go, what to eat? I'm so excited!

Have you ever had someone help you out on a run?
I usually run alone, but thankfully this cop helped me out big time! I'd love to hear how you've been helped, or if you've helped a fellow runner in a run or even a race!


Comments

  1. I had a guy pace me into the end of a race because I started to walk and he basically ran up and told me to keep going and then ran with me. Nicest thing any runner has ever done, if I wasn't married I could've kissed him!

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  2. After a torturous 15 miles, I hope you're eating more than almonds and animal crackers! Walking is totally allowed in those conditions!

    Your trip sounds fun! I've never been to New Orleans, but I hear it's awesome.

    I've never been helped on a run, but I've given out my share of directions when people pull over and force me to stop running :(

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  3. In NOLA, go to mother's. Get a po boy. Go to central grocer and get a muffletta. It's worth every gram of sodium and fat.

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  4. Great run! That humidity would kill me!! It's only 48% here and it feels ridic. that's why I live in the desert! Gatorade bottles are hard to open I've noticed!!

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  5. I have been helped out on a run. One time I tripped on a curb and was running home with blood running down my shin. Someone (who was gardening in their front lawn) saw me run by and yelled for me to stop - and they went into their house and brought out bandaids and neosporin. I was sooo grateful :-)

    Brava on getting in the run under suck yucky weather conditions.

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  6. Nice run! So awesome to get the LR out of the way for the week and too funny that the cop stopped to help you. Love that!

    I have had lots of people help me on runs. Mostly just mentally but it really makes a huge difference. I really stive to help my friends towards the end of races because I know how hard and mentally tough the last few miles of a long race can be.

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  7. Oooo, New Orleans! See my post on our foodie tour :)
    http://thegdkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-orleans.html
    Have FUN!!!

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  8. Great job on the run! I would have died in those conditions, ick! The weather here finally seems to be breaking and I might have a chance of running in 70s tomorrow morning instead of 80-90s. Enjoy NOLA, I've never been so take lots of pictures!

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  9. Have fun in NO! I have never been there but heard it's a lot of fun!

    I love that you asked the cop to help you! One time I lost a water bottle on my fuel belt somewhere along my run. Someone must have found it and they put it on an electrial box along the sidewalk so I would see it. It was near my neighborhood so I'm guessing it was one of my neighbors. So glad when I found it!

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  10. Too funny, I'm sure the cop got a good laugh out of that one.

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  11. haha that's too funny, You guys who run in the heat area amazing i'm pretty lucky in Seattle the temps peak out around 75-78 here lately

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  12. I loved NOLA when I visited! And way to rock the run in that gross weather - you still moved 15 miles, so be proud!

    Tripp studied at Tulane, so he brought me to visit for my birthday this year so I would understand why he loves it...and I do :) uptown is so pretty!! You need to eat lots of crawfish, drink an Abita beer, get a hand-grenade (drink) and walk around the park in front of Tulane U. near the Zoo - so pretty!

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  13. Oh! And you need to eat at Jacques-Imo's Cafe http://www.jacquesimoscafe.com/ it is unreal and they even have a painted truch with a table in the bed of it in front - that you can actually sit in and eat at!

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  15. You got it done, girl!! Yay for cop to the rescue!

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  16. Wow, sometimes twelve is enough.

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  17. On the last long trail run, the boys and I were offered extra water for our packs. We must have looked thirsty.

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  18. I feel you with this heat girl! I worked out in the garage yesterday evening. It felt like the air was burning my skin!

    Darn, I don't happen to have a coinciding trip to the Nola this time around. Hope you guys have fun!

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  19. I've always wondered if someone would help me on a run if I needed it! What a nice cop! Have fun in NOLA!

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  20. You're hilarious! Nope, can't say I've ever asked a cop (or stranger) for that matter for help during a run. I'm a wellness coach for our local city police department and I can just imagine the scene of a sweaty fatigued runner stopping to ask for help opening the bottle - they would do it - they are all GREAT guys, but I know they would LAUGH their butt off!!!!
    Have fun in NOLA - never been! Take lots of photos.
    Great job getting in your long run - I think you did a great job! Walking is a BIG part of my running :O)

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  21. I would have walked too! COngrats on the long run and have a great well deserved weekend!! Sometimes my hands get really cold when it is the winter and i am running. I can't open anything forget. I would absolutely ask the cop to!

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  22. Oh man, you poor thing. I know the feeling though. Heat can really put a damper on your running. I usually run alone as well and haven't really had to ask for any help...yet...

    Have fun on your trip!!! I'm SO JEALOUS!!!!!

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  23. Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee! Have fun!

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  24. Way to attack that heat and show it who's boss!

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  25. I'm suffering away in the heat too! Only more like 6 miles instead of 15, haha. I'd kill for a treadmill, that's for sure..

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  26. Good job on your run in that heat and humidity! I bet it feels so good to have that over with so you can enjoy your weekend with your hubs! That is hilarious that you asked a cop to open your gatorade. Ha ha. I've had to stop and buy gatorade before. One time I had to ask an old lady for a ride home from a run because my knee was injured and at the pace I was hobbling home, I was going to be late for work.

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  27. 12 miles in a high heat index like that might actually be equivalent to 15 miles in perfect weather. Good effort.

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  28. you are seriously amazing for keeping that pace in the heat for 12 miles! wow...seriously awesome. and with the humidity! great job girl! sounds like you had an absolute fabulous rest of the day :)

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  29. omg i can just picture the cop helping you. too cute. you did great on your run, don't be disappointed :)

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  30. I won't tell if you won't tell. Considering that your average pace was still less than what you wanted, those three miles are just going to be a hush-hush thing.

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  31. i always have a powerade in my car for after my long m=runs, and i learned that i have to open them before the run and then leave them in the car. otherwise im too tired to open the tough seal

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  32. Gosh so many people have helped me on runs it's hard to even remember. Provided bathrooms, water, wheelchairs (post race)...I even passed out at a race in high school. These people are the best!

    Omgosh you have to go to Cafe Dumonde and get a beignet (dessert). And go to a voodoo shop! And go see the cemeteries. Have so much fun!!!

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  33. This reminds me of the last half-marathon I did, I stopped at an aid station and asked if they could re-fill my handheld. They said yes but then my hands were too sweaty to open the bottle! So the volunteer took it, opened it, filled it, and closed it for me. It was so nice! Totally made my day.

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  34. That's so nice of the cop to open the bottle for you, hehe!

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  35. Congrats on your long run! You can use your Garmin on the treadmill if you get the footpod. That's what I use so I can have the Garmin to log my miles, cals, heart rate, cadence, etc.
    New Orleans is like our second home but I am not sure if I can give any really good suggestions for food. I eat Cajun food all of the time and when we are usually there, we eat whatever. (Especially when you are on Bourbon after having a handgrenade or two, you are just looking for something to eat.)
    Go take a picture in front of the St. Louis Catherdral and go for a morning run along levee of the Mississippi River.

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  36. Great run in the heat!

    Gatorade bottles are impossible to open normally. Their seals are too strong for me.

    Have fun in NOLA. Get some beignets at cafe du monde. Really tasty stuff there.

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  37. Check out my post on New Orleans in February.
    I wrote about 2 restaurants and they were good.
    I loved just walking around French Quarter. I was there for a vacation and did more sight-seeing before Katrina and the aquarium was really good.

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  38. After my last 15 mile run the exact thing happened to me. I had to take the bottle back inside and ask the lady to help me open it :(

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  39. whoaaaa, even though you "only" ran 12, in that heat that's an accomplishment!! Ahh that feeling at the end of a long run when you have no strength to do anything...good thing you found someone to help you!!

    Have fun in New Orleans!!!

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  40. I had a really tough run today because of the heat, but I only made it about 9 miles. I hope your next long run is easier. Funny story about the bottle!

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