One step in front of the other.
You can do this.

Drink some water.
Stomach rumbles.

"SHHhhhh" I tell my stomach.
You'r not allowed to be upset today.
Not today.
Not on a Saturday.

I'm running.
At least I'm trying to.
I look at my watch, my favorite watch might I add!
OK. I look at my watch, mile 3.10

That't it?

I consider myself a positive person.
It's what I live by.
But the past 3.10 miles... I've been nothing of the sort.

You can't do this.

Just stop now.

Turn around.

Go back to bed.

It's not too late.

What were you thinking?

It's too hot

Your too weak.

One step in front of the other.
I look at my watch.
My favorite watch... wait- did I say that already.
OK. I look at my watch, mile 10.61





Ok.

I can do this.

Half way there... Almost.

My stomach tries to tell me otherwise as I eat a square of my shock block.
"Shhhhhh..." I whisper.
It's going to be just fine.

I gulp.

One step in front of the other.

THREE DAYS EARLIER.

One second I feel fine.
The next I feel feverish.
I'm shivering. Brrrrrr.
Is it just me? or is it freezing in here?
The day was rather nice in temperature, so why am I so cold?
My stomach is turning.
Dang it Sawna, you've been healthy all year long and you finally got sick!
Is that it?
Am I truly sick?

I take Vitamin C and the rest of my vitamins that I neglect on a daily basis because of my beliefs toward my truly healthy dietary habits.
I take an Emergen-c... because its an emergency, obviously.
Sudden overwhelming feeling of nausea.
"Don't throw up, Sawna" I keep telling myself. Throwing up is one of my least favorite of feelings.


I look at the clock.
It's 8:30pm.

Well, If I'm truly sick- I should sleep.

I look at the clock.
It's 12:30am.

I muster strength for a glass of water but it hurts to consume anything, even your basic H20.
What's wrong with me?

SATURDAY

Food poisoning.

The last three days of been a blur of vomiting, stomach pains, forcing myself too eat- just to vomit again.
Not a feelings I would enslave to anyone.
Not even my worst enemy.

One step in front of the other.
The sun is beating down, I run through the long stretches of pure heat just to enjoy a few seconds of shade.
And continue again.



One step in front of the other.
You can do this.
Positive Sawna is back- thank god.
And she is right... I can do this.
And I will.
One step at a time.

Three Days Earlier

I look at my computer screen.
Its 3:30pm
BING.

Facebook message.
It's one of my coaches asking if I would do the mission moment segment of our Saturdays trianing.
I respond quickly with a yes.

Mission moment is when a team member shares their story.
Why they joined Team in Training.
Why they continue to train.
How they were affected my cancer.

I can do it.
Share my families story.
Boy I hope I don't cry.

Its Friday.....


I look at my watch, 12:15 pm.
After spending a full day with my new best friend... the toilet.
I don't know how I'll make it tomorrow.

I've committed to it.
I can't miss it.

But my stomach hurts.
I stare at my tomato soup, and I'm frightened.
I am far from hungry, but I have to eat something.
With each bite of food, comes a shooting pain.
Thankfully it's less painful than yesterday.

Keep eating Sawna... you'r going to make it.
It's going to be ok.

Saturday

I look at my watch
It's 1:35.
Mile 21:59.

I hear fast footsteps behind me.
It's my coach.

He asks me how I am.
"I'm good, a little hot, but good"
Is how I respond.
I'm not lying.
I feel pretty amazing.

Yes, it's hot.
Almost unbearably hot, but I've been hydrating- constantly.

I look at my watch.

22 miles.





I made it.

BEAT THAT FOOD POISONING.

I've learned a few lessons during this 5 hour run.

What you do, or do not do- during the week, really shows during your long run.

Hydrate
Eat healthy
Sleep

Three huge factors in running efficiently and with strength.

Although I completed my run, I did not do it to the best of my ability.

Your nutrition plays a major role in your energy level.

Something I do not want to toy with.

It turned out to be a beautiful run, even with the stomach pains, heat and starting negative energy.


I completed my mission moment, with only a few tears, but I completed it.

My story has been shared.
My run complete... for today.

Now, to eat healthy....

and never get food poisoning again.

KNOCK ON WOOD.


Till next time,
Peace, love and happiness.


Postscript.
Feel like donating?

You still can!
HERE