Hills in the a.m.

I set out this morning like any other road run, unethusiastic about the same old scenery. It was colder than I had anticipated and my legs were chilled with just shorts covering them. I forgot my gloves.

Continuing on, Potters Rd. came upon my right, a road I usually avoid unless I'm in the mood for pain. The road is long and straight, with three massive hills spread throughout it. I decided quickly that today was not the day for a long, exploratory run, so down Potter I went. The road was light this morning, sun shining through the thick line of trees along each side creating a beautiful, calming view.

The route creeps me out usually, it's dark and uninhabitated. It seems weird, coming from someone who enjoys long runs through wooded areas and yet something about the space between houses, intimidates me. I become nervous, on edge and wary of any cars that pass by on the thin road.

The sun added a beautiful change to the difficult course I was about to take.

Hills, I decided to do some hill repeats this morning as a wake up and exercise insentive. As I stated above, the road is divided into three massive, steep hills with long plateaus in between each. The first hill I powered through, feeling confident in my ability to keep a continuous fast pace, I went back down the hill and ran it again.

I was feeling it now, legs a little tired and lungs a little weezey. It doesn't help that I have an infection in my lungs.

I jogged lightly through the plateau, and decided on my mock starting line for the next hill. I noticed that this hill was the steepest, and longest of the three. But, it also did not start high up, beginning with a slow incline. Magically there was a crack in the pavement at the exact spot I had chosen to begin sprinting. The hill was exhausting, I tried to go fast but efficiently, breathing well and not focusing on the pain in my tightening calves.

I reached the top, feeling joyous, I went back down the hill. Running back up was easier, I had already done it once and knew that if I put the effort in and stayed positive, it would be no problem.

The last hill made my legs feel like jello, it wasn't a long hill, just short and extremely steep. Again, powering up it I felt incredible, on top of the world though I was exhausted. I only ran that hill once and had to crouch at the apex to catch my breath and stop coughing.

It was ridiculous, I have such a difficult time breathing but I didn't give up. 5 hills later and 4K I was feeling the workout that I had set out for.

Tomorrow, 10K run through the wilderness. Should make for an interesting blog, sure to include mud and many hills.