Hills...Not My Friends

For the past two days it has poured rain in GA. The skies finally cleared up and I decided to get in a short run in preparation of our first group run this Saturday. Last week, my coach told us about a great website called MyFastFeet.com which allows you to plug in any address and then map a walk/run course near the address. The site calculates the mileage and elevation changes. I used the site to map a quick 2.5 mile course starting at my front door. My plan was to warm up for the first 1/2 mile, then run for 2 miles straight. It didn't appear that it would be too difficult.

This was my first run on the streets and my second run outside. You know, last week my coach also mentioned that when the GA TNT groups go to these national and international events, oftentimes, they are some of the most prepared athletes in attendance due to training on very hilly terrain. This morning, the meaning of that became crystal clear.

During my 2 mile run, I made my way (ran, walked, crawled) up 13 hills! Each time I looked ahead and saw another hill, all I kept picturing were the coaches from "The Biggest Loser" yelling from behind that I was not allowed to give up! Needless to say, since I can still barely hoof this distance on flat surfaces at this point, the hills almost did me in. In all, it took me 31 minutes to go 2 miles....an all-time record - on the slow end! Honestly, I think I could have walked the course faster than that!

On a lighter note, as I train I think I will try to include commentary on the "road hazards" I incur. Today, the hazard was in the form of a 125-lb Rottweiler who thought I wanted to play. Despite the pleas from it's owner, the dog (which scared the heck out of me) kept running alongside me and knocking into my leg. After almost a mile, I lost him on a hill (imagine that) probably because he grew bored with running so slow!

As for my running, how I wish I had better news to report. Everything about this process is very awkward and uneasy to me right now. If I equate this experience to a toddler learning to walk, my training is at the stage where I am learning how to pull myself up from the sitting position. And since I have to master this skill before I can move on, I guess what I really need right now is to be patient with myself and even more patient with my progress.

Until next time,
Lisa