Believe to Achieve

Did not set my alarm to go running BEFORE work.  Had to work in Provo (Utah Valley NICU) and stayed up past 11pm watching Olympics.  Worked all day in overflow for NICU.  Dark no windows nursery-- three lamps, six babies.  13 hour shift.  Luckily we had air conditioning.  I brought my running clothes so I could have the option.  Thought about going to the PG rec center but Hey I was right next to the Provo River Trail-- all shaded.  So after walking to my car realizing the STIFLING heat (97 degrees with quite high humidity I am for sure), I proceeded to get dressed in my car.  It was about 105 degrees in there.  Stayed in there for 15 minutes so that 97 degrees would feel "cooler".  Proceeded to stagger towards the trail running over to 8 th north.  I used to run this trail ALL the time.  But this run was eerie.  Gang members and gang member writing on monuments just made as a memorial and on the newly built bridge and the smell of smoke from 75 percent of the people I jogged by.  It no longer felt like a safe place to run.  The heat was ridiculous even though I began my run at 7pm!!  So very humid and it made the cigarette smoke stand out more.  I kept waiting to feel a cool breeze but nothing-- just stench.  I ran by all my old haunts-- where I used to do my 4 mile loop when I lived in west Provo.  I am sorry but west Provo seems getto like.  What has happened?   Skate boarder boys and chain-links on pants and many a tatoo.  I was definitely thinking I could outrun any of these guys but was worried about lurking weirdos.  I just did not get a good feeling during this run.  It saddened me as  I loved the west provo river trail back in the day-- 8 to 14 years ago.  I used to push my babies in the stroller along there. NOW if I still lived there I would NEVER let my kids even go over there alone.  It was 3/4 mile  from house.  It was a true run through memory lane.  I knew every mile marker--- I didn't wear my garmin-- forgot to bring it and NO music.  I just ran to the 1/2 mile from the lake marker and figured  I would course tool it when I got back.  I ended up running 8.42 miles.  My legs were tight from the 13 hour shift and crab I ate the last few days at work.  Was certainly glad when this run was over--- I was dripping with sweat.  Heat running and I do not get along.  AP for 8.4 miles = 8:15.  First mile MOST definitely over 9mm.  : D   Now to go watch more Olympics.  Oh yah, my sciatic nerve in my low back was a killer all day.  I did some pressure point massage and it so very tender but ignored it during my run, as usual.