My last two runs I have made the mistake of getting really dehydrated. The first run was done in the heat. I had brought water and tried to keep up with my body’s need for hydration. I didn’t do a really good job of this and only managed to drink roughly half of my water. By the time I had gotten home I was soaked. I made a further mistake by not immediately starting in on a regimen of fluid replacement. It wasn’t until about 4 hours past the point when I stopped running that I actually began to take in needed water. I was a wreck.

So then yesterday in a failed attempt to learn my lesson I went on another run. My original plan was to do a short run. I should have still brought water with me but I didn’t. It was pretty cool out so I wasn’t too concerned. The cool air inspired me to keep running and before I knew it I had decided on a 10 miler. I knew I had some watering opportunities and I definitely took advantage of them but it was not nearly enough. The first part of the run was pretty fast and I even did a mile at tempo pace to catch up with a runner who was a block ahead of myself. The last two miles I found myself really slowing down and I eventually pooped out. The last mile I could have broken an overall sub 10 min pace for the run if I had been able to shave off 45 seconds from my goal pace. I ended up finishing with a 10:25 pace so no sub 10 avg pace.

As soon as I made it back home I started in with the fluids. I decided to further complicate my hydration error by mowing the lawn (though I did have water with me) with my push mower. By the time I had finished that I was tapped. And after a night of little sleep (is there a connection between the dehydration and insomnia?) I awoke sore and exhausted. Overall, I think the lesson I have been telling myself for years really got hammered home again. Drink enough water when you run and mow. Small frequent sips are the answer.