Panoramic 4 Mile

Summer Series Run #2 of 5
Saturday June 22, 2013
Bear Creek Park East

This run is all trail with a few hill climbs. I started off good and liked my stride, I had forgotten that this was a down hill start and the pack too hold of me and I let it lead me out to fast. As soon as we rounded out of the trees and into the open dirt hills, I felt like I was baking, even at 8am in the morning. One thing I don't like about this run is that you can see all the faster runners way out yonder and it lets you know how far you need to go. I don't like to see that far a head.

I came back to defend my third place age group title, and I honestly didn't think I could do it, so I focused on my stride and technique. I focused on picking up my legs and keeping my arms relaxed. I was really slow and when the first hill came up I remembered what I had been reading about hill training. Look up, keep posture upright, keep arms relaxed, stay on your forefront of the foot and take smaller steps. When you get to the top push thru your steps harder to crest the hill and then ride it down. I haven't figured out what "lean into the hill" means, If your supposed to keep your posture upright, how do you "lean into the hill"?

Then, after that hill you loop around and do it again. I hadn't been thru a water stop yet so I was glad I carried my own water, it was bloody hot! The second time around that hill was tougher and I walked up it. Honestly walking was tougher than running it.

The final hill really kicks your ars! It has an incline of 200 feet in a quarter mile. Lets just say I really don't like Beacon Hill.

I started to get really hot and I did not have much juice left in my body, but I pushed out what I had left. I kept telling myself that I can do it and I need to push and try as had as I can.

I finished third place....out of three in my are group. I don't feel that proud of my time or finish because I know I could have done better, I over worked myself up for this run.

I ran this race last year and was the last "real" run I had, so for me this felt slightly disappointing. I remember where I was and where I am. I am really disappointed that my body will not do what my mind tells it to do. I have to remind myself I went thru life changing events and I am finding my way back to a better and smarter runner. I only gained 1 minute on my time from last year, but I just remember feeling so much better than I did this year.

I have another run scheduled for Saturday the 29th. I am thinking of giving my toes shoes a spin if my legs will have it.

"I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"

10 Weird Running Things I Do

It is very true just like any other sport or hobby you develop a set of traditions or superstitions about how if you do this one thing, you will be that much better. I know that I am guilty of these here are some of the things I do:

1. Pin your running bib on your shirt and lay out your whole outfit in the order you are to put it on the night before just to have a few extra minutes of sleep.
2. Always have the same race day breakfast regardless if it is a 5K or Marathon, because you don't want to get cramps.
3. Check you GPS watch constantly when your running because you feel like you have gone further and feel faster than you are.
4. Hold your GPS watch out to the sky because it will sync faster that way.
5. Whenever you travel anywhere you must pack your favorite running shoes and watch but wear them instead thru the security check point, because just in case they loose your luggage you have your favorite running shoes and watch.
6. Plan your vacation and then scout the net for the nearest run in the area.
7. Can not pass thru Target with out at least walking thru the running stuff even though you went there to pick up your medication on the other side of the store.
8. Religiously check your mail box once or twice a day near the first of the month hopping that the new edition of Runner's World has shown up and only check your mail once a week after that because there's nothing else interesting in your mail box.
9. When you see someone get on the treadmill next to you, you must keep running until they get off their treadmill just to out run them even though you've already finished your millage for the day.
10. When you buy new running clothes, you think about how can I wear this with my everyday work clothes.

"I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"