I enjoy running. I don’t generally need someone to force me to run. Having to force myself to run is an infrequent problem. (I’ll admit, it does happen sometimes. And when it does, I will do something else if I have the option. Other times I’ll whine about it but do it anyway.)
So, getting out there running isn’t the problem. What’s the problem? Getting out there for anything longer than 3 miles and anything faster than a granny with a walker. The stress and craziness of the end of the year + various body parts staging a rebellion has resulted in a lack of stamina and a pace not unlike that of a turtle.
So, yesterday, I told myself I didn’t have to go far and I didn’t have to go fast (sounds like my usual slow, boring 3 miler. Yawn.) But what I did make myself do is run the streets that run north/south in my neighborhood. Those streets are the hilly streets. I’m pretty sure the entire run I was going either up or down. There was almost no flat.
In the end, I finished four super slow miles feeling like I’d run a marathon. It was a cool low humidity (for Virginia) day with an awesome breeze, yet I was sweating like I was running in the hottest part of summer. I seriously considered taking off my shirt, but I decided that blinding a construction worker with my fish belly white abs wouldn’t be very nice. I finished the run, completely dragging myself to my house. Hills are hard! As I walked into my house, I was thinking “that was awful.”
Five minutes later, I was all “wonder when I can do that again.”
Hilly neighborhoods = Mother Nature’s high intensity interval workout.
Oof. I need to learn how to embrace hills =/
Wow! You are a glutton for punishment. I avoid hills like the “flu”. But you’ve inspired me to head out for a hill session… time to mix it up.
Nice job! There’s always a hill somewhere along my running routes, and sometimes I seek them out! I totally believe they make us stronger. Go hills!
I feel the same way about my midweek runs and pretty much did the same thing as you yesterday. Yesterday morning I headed out to a trail and did a 3 “easy” miles. Oh the hills and the twists and turns. My legs are HURTING today, but I know it’ll be better in the end. Good job to you too!
That’s awesome. I love how you gave yourself a new challenge!
Mmmmm….I love me some hills. I’m a touch crazy.
Great job on those hills! I always feel so strong after a hill workout 🙂
Love it! Great job! Hills are my nemesis but a necessity if I want to get through any WA races in one piece. Next time , I say blind the construction workers! How else will your stomach get tan?:)
I love hills! They are hard but man they make you feel strong! Great job. PS…you should blind the construction workers. At least you have abs. Show them off, even if they are white!
Great job!! I don’t love hills but I know that I love how I feel after running them. They make me feel strong.
I needed this motivation- it’s so flat here, and I recently passed one hill at a park, and was thinking I might have to do hill repeats on it sometime, just to prove to myself I can still go up and down! I’d much rather have a hilly route, but that’s not an option. Nice work- love that you called it nature’s intervals. 🙂
Nice job on those hills! I’ve been trying to embrace them more…it’s a slow process 🙂
Great work. You get extra brownie points (or in your case – scout points) for doing it when you weren’t feeling it.
Nice job conquering the hills. I’m getting better at hills but they still kick my butt! Not so long ago I avoided them. Now I begrudgingly embrace them 🙂
sometimes it’s all about a change is scenery and route. Hills are a love hate for me for sure!
Sounds like a really great run! I always feel so good after a hard run but it’s getting myself out there to get started that gets me sometimes.