In Running News...

Friday I just couldn't muster the motivation again. And I went to work frustrated. But Syd assured me, it's nothing to get upset over, you can't lose fitness in three days.

So on Saturday I ran. I did my 3.5 mile loop with 5 pick ups. It felt pretty good. Actually it felt really good. I didn't stop to walk at all! And by my third pick up, I was flying. I don't know what my time was, but it doesn't really matter.

This weekend was also our annual SunRiver vacation of awesomeness. Which means cold weather and high altitudes.

On Sunday, Barb and I hit the bike paths. I did my best to map out five and a half miles - thinking I could split my long run just once more. We set out, and about a half mile in to it, I was pretty sure I was going to die. My lungs felt small and the air felt thin. I did my best to keep a decent pace, but I kept losing steam. Barb jogged ahead at times, and sometimes literally jogged circles around me. I was totally okay with that because I figured if I did collapse, at least she'd be there to break my fall. :)

For the last...mile and a half, two miles, I finally found a good rhythm. I let Barb hit it with her own pace. It's not fair of me to ask her to subdue her workout in order to keep me company. Plus it's less awkward to be wheezing and panting by yourself. Just focusing on my breathing was the only thing I could do to stay upright. When I got back to the cabin, I double checked the map. The virtually perfect 5.5 miles I had planned had somehow gotten a bit flubarred, and we probably ended up doing about 6.5 or 7. I justified not running in the afternoon by dragging my butt up the sledding about 10 times.

Since Sunday didn't go well, I was apprehensive to run Monday and Tuesday. And apprehension turned to avoidance. I did however take an hour bike ride on Monday, and about an hour and a half bike ride on Tuesday. I feel...somewhat justified.

Today, I was eager to see what the valley air felt like in comparison. I decided to hit up good old Stapleton Hill, the steep side. Running along 99 was not pleasant, and my knees started to feel over worked. I took it down a notch before hitting the hill head on. I made it about fifteen feet (maybe less) from the top before needing to stop and dry heave. I told myself to walk it off, and my body listened. I was able to bust out the last two and a half miles with no walking breaks (however I did have one stop and readjust my ear bud break) and a great pace. I only listened to songs that made me want to move, and it worked. My total time today was 53 minutes, for 4.46 miles. Phew.