An Uphill Battle

There are a lot of different options for running in this area. There's a nice cushy track at the local high school (well, actually the track is beside the junior high, but let's not split hairs.) If I want to run through the woods, we've got trails for that. If I want to run on the street there are plenty of back roads with traffic ranging from low to moderate, and inclines ranging from nil to steep. The track is probably the best option for joint health, but it's boring. Unless it's just a victory lap, I tend to avoid the track. We all know my feelings on dirt, so trail running is out for me. I don't want to muck up my nice white kicks! That pretty much leaves road running for me. Meep! Meep! (Sorry, I had to do it!)

I have always chosen routes which had a variety of inclines, just to test myself, but I was never too extreme. Recently, I was talking to a fellow runner who said, "people who don't run hills are doing themselves a great disservice." "You know," I thought, "She's right." And with that thought, I began pushing myself up the steeper inclines. I've run up the "Double Dips," Lindsey Street, Newry Lane, and half way up Sylvan Heights drive (to the sharp curve, for you locals), among other hills of varying degree and lenth. At the top of each hill I always feel like I just might collapse. I might. But I haven't yet. In fact, when I get to the top, in pure exhaustion, I push forward, and with a few yards of level ground (or in some cases, decline), I feel great! I have accomplished something! I have conquered a hill, and more often than not, I'm ready for more!

Today I started my run with the intent of running a 4.05 mile loop, beginning with the half climb up Sylvan Heights Drive. When I reached the half way mark, however, I didn't stop and turn off on one of the side streets. Instead, I kept going. I don't know why, really. I just did it. Soon I was 3/4 of the way up the hill, and by then I had challenged myself to run the entire hill.

Sylvan Heights Drive is about 2.25 miles long from where I start it (which actually is a road with another name, but they are all connected) to where it ends at the crest of Frankstown Road. The first half of it is fairly steep. The second half, though not as steep, is still a consistent incline. 2.25 miles up hill is a tough way to start out a run, but I did it. Not only did I do it, I ran the entire way to the top without walking once, and with keeping a respectable pace, close to a 10 minute mile! When I reached the top I was absolutely thrilled with myself. Utterly exhausted, but absolutely thrilled.

As I started back down the road, 3/4 of the way, I decided that I was not going to take the easy way out and run downhill the whole way home. I veered off onto a side street, and careened myself through Elmwood, one of the ritzier housing developments in the area. I found myself eventually on Lower Brush Mountain Road, and followed that back to a more familiar route home. When it was all said and done, I had run 5.25 miles, with more than half of it being up hill. Talk about a confidence boosting run!

I can't say enough how much I love running. With each run, I feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and invigorated. I'm so grateful to breathe in the fresh air, cast my gaze over God's beautiful earth, and reflect on life's blessings. Likewise, when I'm in the process of a run, I get excited thinking about my next conquest, the next hills I will take on, the length of my next run, how far I can keep pushing. I never pushed myself beyond my limits before, and this new found ability is simply enchanting! Perhaps running a half marathon is not such a ridiculous notion after all....I'll just have to see how the next few months go.