Today I went for a run and logged my last 15.5 mile long run before the A1A Marathon. My alarm sounded and I looked out the window to pouring rain. I think it has rained three of the last four weekends!!! I didn’t mind the extra minutes lounging and luckily the rain ended and I was laced up to run by 8am. I kinda knew the direction I was going to go, but this was the first long run I hadn’t mapped out – partially because I wasn’t all in. I like to plan and check off miles as I go, but this time I just went with it. I looped the opposite direction to start, tacked on a new road I was passing and just went with it. Despite the rain ending, warm weather and strong +15mph winds remained. Wind and hills were going to be my challenge on this run. I’m not going to lie, at first I thought I was going to run five miles and call it quits. I reasoned that I would do ten miles later in hope that the wind would die down. So I picked up the pace. I got back to my car ready to pack it up and head out. The blue skies had pretty, misshapen clouds that looked like fluffy whipped cream and at least four people walked by me walking dogs enjoying the warm day. Ugh. So I took off my long sleeve shirt, took a gel and headed out. I went south on Honeygo and the wind pushed me along. It’s funny how it felt like someone was there pushing and encouraging me to keep moving. I picked up in pace and looped back east. At this point I was downing my water and felt a little off/lightheaded. I passed a man who lost his hat in a gust of wind. He smiled and wished me well, as if he knew I was eyeing the road that went back to my car. Then I turned and hit the wind and hills hard. I guess the one good thing about going up a hill – you must go down. I continued on looping, hitting new roads and trying to distract myself. Each turn more winds and hills. Eventually I made my way to my car for a water refill – mile 9.5. How was I only at ten miles!? But I went back out. I made it this far and I couldn’t stop now. I kept moving and I flew through three more quick miles. I kept thinking just get through a half marathon and then take it easy. I finally was back at my car 15.5 miles done. It was a tough run, not one that makes me proud. My legs felt great, but my energy lacked, I drank a ton of water and my chest felt heavy. I guess humidity and the warmer temperature could have caused it, but it was tough. My last three long runs have been rough and lethargic. All various speeds, terrains, locations, elevation and temperatures. Maybe it is my body just asking for a little rest from my beloved marathon. Regardless, I didn’t stop. I didn’t give up. I’m thankful for the wind that helped me, the people who greeted me and the saying on my wrist – “she believed she could.”