Week 9, Day 1

I'm really NOT an overacheiver, but it seems I've gotten ahead of myself a bit on this program. I really am just hoping I don't choke and die like an idiot on Saturday when I do my first official 5k. So, I'm making SURE I can go 3+ miles and that I can go up a bunch of hills (the course is VERY hilly). It's bad enough that I shuffle down the road like I'm 104, I'd at least like to shuffle across the finish line when I'm done.

Anyway, at this point of the program, I'm supposed to be running 3 miles. I did that last week, so today I bumped it to 3.5. It really is getting easier. I'm still waiting for that "runner's high" or "omg I love running" feeling to come, but at least we've gotten past "I hate running, wtf amI doing out here, go home and eat a cookie".

The route I chose today was challenging for a couple reasons. First off, it was out and back. I prefer to run a big loop with corners so that the next goal is always at least in sight, or at least I know where it is. To run out 1.8 miles in a straight line was almost more than I could imagine. Also, there is a KILLER steep slope at the END of this course. So steep, in fact, that during the winter when the roads are even the least bit slippery, there's a traffic pile up right there because cars can't get up it. It's not very long, but it's damn near straight up and I'm not even lyin. Also, it was at the 2.9 mile mark. Stupid place for a big hill, but there's a big hill around mile 2.75 of my 5k on Saturday, so I hope this will be just a bit more preparation. (No one in history will have prepared more for a measly 5k than me. lol)

It went pretty well. I struggled a bit with the first mile, which isn't uncommon for me. Once I got to the 1.8 mile turn around point, I knew I nailed it. I knew I could make it back. At least I knew that until I got to the hill. It was hard getting up it. Not hard enough for me to quit or think I couldn't do it, but hard enough that when I got to the top, I was pretty sure I was about to have a heartattack and that I'd never get my breath back enough to run the last half mile. Luckily, that wasn't the case, and I finished.

The song that came on during my last quarter was Joe Cocker. I figured if Joe could survive the 60s, I could survive this run.

Also, I'd like to give a shout out to my superstar Medina motorists, who are always very gracious and patient, and willing to sit at the stop sign a little bit longer while they wave me across the street. I appreciate that.

Here's the run. You may be able to tell where the hill was if you look really close.