I started nothing

I just got back from running hills.  Two miles each way up and down some rather steep hills in Jamaica Plain.  As a distance runner, and someone who runs daily, I know I could go out on any given day and run ten miles on or so on flat roads without much difficulty.  But these hills (and in this heat) kicked my ass.  I was dripping in sweat when I came home.  My legs hurt and my breathing was not good.  But it was a satisfying punishment.  Just when I think I’m an expert runner I realize there are several more things I need to overcome.

I’ve been working a lot on speed.  I generally pace myself to a nine minute mile.  I run for distance, not time, and I’m not competitive.  When I run in an organized race, I’m not thinking about winning.  I’m not even thinking about beating a personal record.  I’m just enjoying a nice run.  I throw away the completion medals and I never wear the free t-shirts.  But lately I’ve been trying to go faster, just because.  I did an eight mile race last weekend and finished in 51:20.  That’s less than a 6.5 minute mile.  That kind of scared me.  Of course, it was all flat.

A month away from the wedding and I’m working hard and keeping my mind off of it.  Most everything is already planned, and the two sets of parents (and Megan) are pretty much in control at this point.  At this point I’m more looking forward to getting out on the honeymoon than anything else.  I need the break.  I haven’t really taken a proper vacation in a while.

I ran in just a sports bra today because it was so hot and now my belly is sunburned!  Boo.