Update on Days 1-4

Since I started this blog on Day 5, I want to record what I remember from the first days. The progress from day-to-day floors me, and I don't want to forget.

Day 1-
I thought I was going to die getting to the top of Section 1. The first minute of the jog felt very foreign, my ankles were tight, my knees were tight. I was barely more than walking fast.

By the time I reached the top of S1, I was out of breath and absolutely exhausted. It took a long time to catch my breath before jogging a small bit down S3. I turned back early and ran with intervals. My lungs were on fire.

Very painful day, but proud to have even attempted. I did notice that my body loosened up significantly after the first few minutes. I had been having lower back and hip pain, which I noticed went away while I was running.



Day 2-
A bit easier to the top of S1, but still tough. My body moved more easily. My lungs didn't hurt but still blew hot. What got me was cramping in my stomach. I ran a bit farther than the first day, but still didn't make it all the way across before turning back.

It was snowing today and I got pretty wet. But it was beautiful and there was no one on the bridge.



Day 3-
Much easier to the top of S1. I kept running and made it all the way to the end of S3-- significant increase! Still feeling exhaustion at the top of S1, but there was a moment where my body completely "let go". I felt all the stress leave my muscles and I just relaxed into the job. I felt my body switch to auto. I had no pain in my lungs, no cramping, no exhaustion. My body has begun processing the oxygen efficiently and my muscles no longer feel weak.

Cramping in the stomach got me on the downslope. I think it is my weak stomach muscles unable to keep my organs from bouncing around with each jarring step of the decent.



Day 4-
Ran into a friend on the way to the Bridge entrance, he ran with me! It was fun to have company but really difficult to talk.

Still exhausted at the top of S1, but able to run almost full span of bridge. Made it well into S4 before the cramping got me. Felt the release again today. Felt the auto-pilot kick in. My breath is leveling out. If the cramps quit, it seems I could just go an go. Never in a million years could I imagine that I could do this.

It is freezing outside. Literally. This past week has not seen temperatures outside of the 20's. But I like running in the cold. I can breathe easily. I get overheated easily. Even in this, I have turned beet red today (the first time since running the bridge).