This morning I woke up late and I had already missed my train as well as the one after it. I was verging on missing the next one too and ultimately getting to work really late. I showered, dressed and left the house within 4 minutes of realizing that the alarm never went off and started for the train station.

The next train was scheduled to leave at 7:30, the walk normally takes 20 minutes from our house to the station platform approximately 1 mile away and it was already 7:20. I started walking and quickly realized that there was no possible way that I was going to make it this way, so I began to run. Being out of shape, I was not able to run for very long. Actually, it ended up being only about 1 block, which was not enough to get me there in time for the train, so after walking for a minute or so, I ran again. I did this four or five times, running half a block or so, then catching my breath. On the street right before I got to the platform, I looked at my watch and saw that the time was 7:27, possibly about to turn 7:28. I knew that if I didn't get to the far side of the platform before the train got there I would not be able to catch it, as the train blocks the platform once it pulls in. I ran full speed all the way to the platform and made it in time.

The train actually was a few minutes late, heh. Go figure. The problem started once I stopped running. I continued to walk to try and catch my breath as I walked up to the area of the platform I usually wait for the train. After about 10 seconds I knew that something was wrong, I couldn't focus on anything, my head was spinning, and I felt nauseated. My legs were hardly holding me up and it felt as if every ounce of strength was sapped from my body. I shuffled over to a quiet area, away from the other commuters and leaned over the railing. My eyes were pounding in my head and I had to actually convince myself that I should get on the train when it came. I could feel myself getting worse but assumed that if I could keep breathing and sit down for a few minutes I would start to feel better.

As the train came up I waited until the other riders boarded and followed them on, hoping to find a seat in the first few rows, knowing that I might not make it much farther.

No luck. The train was packed and there was standing room only. Well, mostly. I grabbed a piece of floor near the entry and tried to collect myself. I know that I am not in shape and running was a strain on my system, but this was crazy. I was able to stand and walk off the train once we got to my stop, but I am still feeling somewhat shaken. I won't be trying that again.