Time of run: 5:00 pm
Temp: 39 degrees
Conditions: Dry and dark
Distance: 5.4 miles total
As I've become a regular walker, and then runner (or walker/runner/hiker hybrid), I've discovered an important thing about what motivates me: I MUST have a goal or I just don't get out on a regular basis. I've done "50 Walks," "29 Hikes," several marathons/half marathons, and charity/"fun runs" and what's become obvious is, completing the goal is anticlimactic. Once done, I tend to founder until I get on track with another goal. And so, the Library Run Challenge: To run from one library branch to another, and back again, until I've visited all Multnomah County branches. To make it interesting, I intend to borrow one (just one!) CD, listen to it, then return it by the time of the next leg (the start of the next leg), and report back here. If I see a book of interest, all the better; I'll check that out too!
First leg: Home to the Hillsdale Branch.
OK, so I'm a little out of shape. Well, not really, but not in shape for road running. I spent the summer running/walking/skipping through Forest Park (all 80 miles!) and while that got my legs in shape for lots of elevation gain, I was running on very uneven - although relatively soft - ground, so modified my stride to land in a more sure-footed way, which tends to build up the calves but doesn't prepare you for a nice rhythmic stride along flat, hard ground. So I'm trying to start out slowly, with shorter runs, walking when necessary to make sure I don't overdo it at first.
Tonight's run was an interesting exercise in noting, then adjusting, then overcoming niggling little pains: First, my left knee felt a bit arthritic (though I don't think it's actually arthritis but more of a strain-induced pain that fades quickly with rest). Then after the first mile or so, that pain went away for the most part, immediately followed by some right ankle stiffness (I suspect from the recently unfamiliar pounding - and considering the cooler temperature, almost flopping - of my feet on the pavement. I walked for a while until that stiffness/pain faded, then started running again until I reached the library. This was a climb of several hundred feet. Nothing too steep but hey, it definitely increases the workload.
I got to the library too late this time, it was already closed. So I took a couple of pictures and started back downhill toward home. About a mile into the run back, my right hip started to complain a bit. This I've learned I can run through if I don't push too hard, and really concentrate on smoothing out my stride, paying close attention to posture, foot placement, pace, etc. It really didn't get much worse, so i was able to run all the way back home without further problems.
Note to self: I won't list total times on these runs, for one because I'm not that fast to begin with and it's not about fast, it's about getting there; and two because I may linger at the library for a bit looking for something interesting to check out, and I'd rather enjoy the time rather than worry about tracking how long it's taking.
I hope you understand.
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