This morning, I woke up at the crack of dawn to run 8.15 miles from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium alongside 22,000 other people.
Tonight, I’m covered in ice packs.
If you’ve ever done a long(ish) distance run, you probably know the drill:
At mile two, you think hydration is key and down a cup of ice water. As your muscles and stomach seize, you realize how wrong you were.
At mile three, your feet go numb. You loosen your laces, step aside for some quick stretches, and forge ahead.
At mile four, your knees are screaming and your feet feel like they’re getting battered by pavement. No amount of stretching will help.
Mile five and your body is demanding why you failed to train for this. Again.
By the time you reach mile six, you wonder why you signed up in the first place.
Or maybe it’s just me…
Believe it or not, this is my third Great Aloha Run, and it probably won’t be my last.
Though this year, my knees have informed me, I’m in desperate need of a new pair of running shoes.