Group training for my next half marathon was a four mile run
last night, which of course I didn’t choose to do, as I prefer my runs in the
morning, or at the very least during a time when there is at least a modicum of
daylight to be had. Even the lure of
free pizza which was to be our group snack was not enough to persuade me, so I
opted to do my run today. WOW! So glad I did! The weather was amazing! Beautiful, clear, sunny, and mild! Dream running weather! I had wanted to get out to the park and try running
some, (if not all) of the 10k route for my miles. This is a pretty hilly route and would be
great strength training.
Today I decided to warm up by walking down to the actual run
routes start sign. I usually begin right
where I park, but the run routes start with a gradual steady uphill climb. I was going for the gusto today! I started with an easy two miles, (mostly
ha!) to which I was ‘getting down’ to the ‘Moves Like Mick Jagger’, (none of
the moves of which I actually possess.)
Then at the third mile of the 10k route, there are some interesting and
challenging hills. These would require
something with more of a kick, more
motivation, more……’Maniac’ like. This
called for ‘Maniac’! Over and over and
over again, until I got through these hills.
It is the perfect beat for my pace.
I keep my feet hitting the pavement in perfect rhythm to the song at all
times. Going up the hills, I shorten my
strides and coming down, I lengthen my strides and lean into it.
Check out the picture of one of the long gradual
climbs. It is unbelievable how this can
look so benign and feel so brutal! I
know just exactly where this incline begins to level out , but every single time
I’m running this thing, I think the distance has increased and that it will
truly never level out!
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| About a third of the way, up and off to the right is a speed limit sign, this is where it begins to level off. See? Doesn't look steep at all...but trust me..... |
I was beginning to really feel zapped of strength and opted
to get in my four miles today as opposed to the full 10k, so since I was only going to do four miles, I decided
to turn around after completing the third mile and repeat the hills for the
fourth mile. Now, I’m a maniac, but only
with my music. Not in the sense that I
love the climb up the hills, but oh
how I do love knowing that after I get to the top….I get to run down!! WEEEEEEEEEEE………! My absolute favorite!
What a great time!
And at the end of my fourth mile, I stopped to take a breather. It was perfect timing to run into a park
regular and we took a moment to rest and chat.
This gentleman is very thin and lean and is quite religious about
getting in his walks. He is out there
rain or shine. He was telling me how he
was over 220 pounds when he started walking due to his past drinking and that
he had been alcohol free for 12 years and that this was his 10th
year anniversary of walking up here with his hands weights. We discussed the benefits of the hills and
added weight for strength and resistance training. I personally prefer to just pack my extra weight in the trunk as opposed to carrying free
weights! And yes, while I am annoyed
about the extra weight in the trunk, it truly is going to benefit my
training. I do get added strength and
resistance training every single time I go out for a run, but the real perk is
when I hit those hills! Brutal as they
may be, they will be helping me rebuild an even stronger foundation.
 |
| They got out again today! |
We parted company and I headed back the two miles to the
car. This would make a nice route to do
the fifth mile on for next week, as it has a challenging couple of hills as
well, even walking. I headed up to some
picnic tables to take a break and get some pictures. I KNOW!
I will get a pic of me running! Yeah, that’s what I’ll do! Amazing how strong you feel after a moment’s
rest. I headed back out, started the
Garmin and started piddling with the phone camera, (pace really reflected this!). I
think I’ll run back that last mile and a half, I feel great! *snap*,
maybe one more. *snap*. Put the phone up and get some running
music on this IPod now! Hey, look…there
are a couple of people on bikes in fluorescent green riding jackets off in the
distance. Hey, look….they are all
sparkly now…and fuzzy…and black and sparkly….
 |
| I'm sexy and I know it.....I work out.... Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.... |
I was completely out of readily available calories and had
not even brought any water with me. I
had some back at the car, but that would not do me any good right now. I really didn’t want to do the whole wobble,
stumble, and graceful (not) plop down onto the pavement in a faint, so it was
truly time to call it a day with the running.
I enjoyed singing and walking
the rest of the way back to the car.
What a great day!
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