What What!!

5.01 K @ 7'22

I'll allow you to compute the above...get your calculator if you need it...how long did it take me to do that run? UNDER THIRTY SEVEN MINUTES! Yes, indeed. I think I am probably most proud of this run of any I've done in the past 3 months. It's really set me up well for Sunday. I am not expecting to have another run this fast. This was a hill run, and for part of it I was wearing a backpack.

Part of the glamour of not driving is that I must squeeze many activities into one trip. So I did my hill run and left 1.5 K for running to my friend's place. I was going directly to work after the visit so it meant I'd have to bring my stuff with me. So I made a quick pit stop and grabbed my bag before the stretch to her place. It was my first time running with a backpack and yes, I felt like an idiot. I feel like an idiot a lot of the time though so really, I didn't care. I know I've talked about letting go of what other people think of you when you're running.

Whenever I see someone out there I always just think good for them. In fact, I saw what I believed to be a father and son out running tonight. I was so struck by it that I actually shared that I had seen them with my brother. They were true runners. Long beautiful strides and they were completely in sync. It's really amazing to me to watch "real" runners out there, they make it look so easy. Normally, I have a twinge of jealousy ever wondering if I'll get there, but today watching the pair I just appreciated the athleticism and the work that they had to have put in to get there. A few minutes after that I saw another woman running, similar to what I know I look like. Like every step is actually work, short stride, iPod in hand; and I felt a strange kinship toward her and smiled at the thought that I felt connected to anyone who in any form was an athlete.

A Weather First

4K @ 7'30

My run today was a hill run. My hill runs entail repeatedly running up and down across a highway overpass. I did try running up the escarpment and ended up crying. So maybe I will get to that again one day. The instructions on the running program I'm using says to run hard on the uphills and take it easy on the downhills. I am quite pleased with my 7'30 pace time and it felt really good. As I have written before, I really enjoy uphill runs. I like the fact that there is immediate gratification once you get over the crest of the hill and go flat or, even better, head downhill.

I obviously am a couple days behind in running as I was scheduled to do this on Friday. I woke up to a very very grey day and the sound of rain. Drats! Rain, my natural running enemy. I do not enjoy it. I often find myself uncomfortable. So, I waited until I couldn't hear anymore raindrops. Then, I hustled it out of the house. It rained a bit while I was out there but my unhappiness was neutralized by my enjoyment of running the hill. In my last half kilometre home it began to hail. Which was a first for me.

Exactly one fortnight until race day!
Sponsor me at: https://www.runningroom.com/dashboard/donations/index.php?raceId=7510&eventId=23519&memberId=UzMCPFQzUzQGYgQ1BzE%3D&item=8&guest=1
I'm only 15 dollars away from my goal!