Tuesday Training

Since I made the grand pronouncement last week that I wanted to run a half-marathon, I've made some slow and steady progress. But there's been one setback, and it's kind of a big one. First, the good: I've managed to log at least 3 miles every time I've run on the treadmill. I did take a needed rest day, and I did walk one day. So I haven't gone full force, which is good for me. I tend to charge ahead and burn out. That being said, I did my usual 3 miles Saturday morning and I felt great. It took me about 35 minutes, which is about normal for me. I didn't run very hard. I'm still trying to just run without stopping. But by Saturday night I knew I was dehydrated. I started getting terrible chills. Now this is something I'm very familiar with, and I was planning to write about the pros and cons of training for a half-marathon and putting this dehydration issue at the top of the "cons". I've struggled with this forever. When I was a kid I didn't know what it was, just that I was getting the chills a lot. I assume my parents thought I was sick. I'd freeze during the night, then wake up drenched in sweat. As an adult, I started putting 2 and 2 together and realized that I usually experience this after I worked out. I never feel sick or chilled during my workout, it's only at night when I'm winding down for bed. My doctor seemed kind of nonchalant when he told me I was "just dehydrated," but this happens to me a lot, and it is not pleasant. I know I need to drink more water, but sometimes I just don't feel thirsty and I forget. But come evening when it's too late, I curse myself out for not drinking. I do believe I dehydrate faster than most people. I have no idea why, but it has ruined many a night for me. I really need to get this under control, or running 13 miles will be out of the question. It's very frustrating. So if anyone has any advice for me or has experienced anything similar, I'd love to hear about it.