Runiversary! (A Week Ago)

Just in case you thought I was kidding about being a day late in my last post, here’s another a few days late. July 11, 2007. Six miles in 1 hour 18 minutes and 57 seconds. And so the Running Fat Guy was born. I had been the Rowing Fat Guy for a few months prior, but on that fated day, my direction changed forever. And I haven’t looked back since – because there are always fast people in front of me!

So it’s been three years. The numbers are staggering for someone who didn’t like running then, and quite frankly, still doesn’t *love* running now. 3,620 miles. That’s like L.A. to New York and then back past Chicago. Pretty mind blowing. .

Here is normally where I would come up with some self deprecating pithy comment, but in all seriousness, running has allowed me to join a world that I never knew existed. I did it for the health benefits. What I ended up getting was a network of friends and acquaintances that I can call on on a moment’s notice. I always get the best advice from you. I always see a smiling face at a race. In short – it’s the best circle of friends that I’ve ever had the opportunity to be involved with. Thanks for celebrating my runiversary with me!

Which brings me to a question for everyone – I’ve been really really fatigued the past few days. Thursday was an especially hot and humid day (at least for us here in Southern California), so I postponed my Thursday evening trail run until Friday morning. I went out with my son and one of his friends for what was supposed to be 9 miles at 6:30 Friday morning. By mile 2, it just was not happening. My legs were ired and sore. Everything was a labor. With the San Francisco Half coming in a week, I decided a half mile or so later to bag the rest of the run, turn around, and head back to the car. I got 5.8 miles in. When we finished up at 8:00 AM, it was already 76 muggy degrees outside, and the big rainbow that we had started to had come onshore with scattered sprinkles. We just aren’t used to this heat and humidity in Southern California I tell you!

Then, the strangest thing. I was just incredibly tired the rest of the day. Incredibly. Nap at 3:30 PM. Another nap at 8:00 PM. Bed at 11:00 PM. Slept through my alarm (missed my long run) until 8:30 AM this morning. I’ve never really experienced this before. For the first time in several months, the brain says go – but the body says no! It’s not like I’m sporting any injuries – not even any tweaks or niggles. I’m just physically exhausted! I’m not really sure why. I’m not coming down with a cold or anything. So any help blog buddies? Should I push on through? Should I rest for a couple weeks and see what happens? Inquiring minds need to know. What I do know is that miles just for the sake of miles only leads to burnout....