Week 3 - Day 2 - 4 Miles

"The marathon's about being in contention over the last 10K. That's when it's about what you have in your core. You have run all the strength, all the superficial fitness out of yourself, and it really comes down to what's left inside you. To be able to draw deep and pull something out of yourself is one of the most tremendous things about the marathon." - Rob de Castella, 1983 World Marathon Championships Winner

Yesterday I took Dad on a driving tour of Portland. I love showing off this city, I adore her like a big sister. By the time we got home and I had picked up the kids it was time to start thinking about my 4 mile run. Fitting my training in with "out of routine" life experiences is less challenging than I thought it would be. I feel like a machine that cannot be stopped. Considering time constraints (we had dinner plans) I decided to run out my front door instead of driving through rush hour to the trail. I quickly mapped out a run that would take me up our closest busy highway and back. As I reviewed the route I noticed a steep uphill/downhill pattern and started to doubt myself.

I avoid hills.

However, with time running short I pushed my hesitations aside and hit the road. The first mile was almost completely downhill and I was feeling great, pushing thoughts of the climb BACK out of my mind. At the bottom of the hill I saw the next hill in front of me. Too late now to turn back, I kept a steady pace and I felt really great. The only distractions were my yoga pants that were continually falling down and the exhaust fumes circling my nose. I completed the run in my usual time, hills and all. I am not saying it was easy, I had to dig down deep to keep moving and my quads were feeling it, however I made it safely home, sweaty and red in the face but triumphant. I do not think I will be repeating this particular run (I am not a fan of exhaust fumes) however it taught me something about progress. 3 weeks ago I was not able to keep running on hills and now I have proven to myself that they are nothing to fear. Running is about putting one foot in front of the other and trusting that my force of will can keep my legs moving. It is about engaging my inner "bad ass".

Yea...I am BAD ASS!!!!