I decided to start running again, so I bought myself some new shoes. I stopped running because my knees hurt and I needed to gain some weight (I know, don't feel sorry for me!). Anyway, today I ran and it felt great! My knees don't hurt. I sweat like crazy because it's a hundred thousand degrees outside with 120 percent humidity. But I only ran a half hour and so it was tolerable because I knew it was short term. Afterwards I had that great "runners high" that people talk about. The blood rushing around in my body and my head light from the exertion. It's funny that I enjoy running as much as I do, since I hated it as a kid. I was always one of the last kids to finish in PE when we had to run/walk the mile. Right in front of the really overweight girl in class was always me -- this huffing, puffing, petite physical mess. Maybe my body's better now because I didn't overwork it then...probably not.
As I was running today, I realized after the fact that it was too hot to run without water. In heat like that, it's vital to have water and to drink before and after. According to the Texas Heart Institute web site, for workouts of less than 1-1/2 hours, you should drink about 2 cups of cool or cold water 1 to 2 hours before you exercise. Then, you should drink another 2 cups of cool water or a sports drink 15 minutes before you exercise. Finally, you need to drink about 5 ounces (a little more than 1/2 cup) every 10 minutes during exercise. To help rehydrate after exercise, drink about 2 more cups of cold water or a sports drink. I didn't properly prepare myself, but as often happens, God provides...
You see, as I was running my route, I knew that as I got near to the 1/2 way point there would be an apple tree. The branches of the tree hang over the sidewalk and since the tree is in full-fruit, they hang low and pedestrians have to dodge the limbs along the sidewalk.
As I ran, I thought about the sweet-tart little apples. The crunchy flesh and the juice that would help curb my growing thirst. So, as I approached the tree, I reached out and plucked one little green apple without a break in my stride. I ran between the limbs feeling the leaves slap me on the face in punishment for my thievery. I smiled and felt like a kid as I ran along eating my apple (yes, I know that it should have been washed and I don't recommend this to anyone else). The little apple was gone in just about six bites and was exactly what I needed to fight the thirst and provide a little boost! But next time, I'm going to take a water bottle.
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