Running adventure

This afternoon I set out to run 9 miles, with 5@7:24 in the middle. The bikepath where I typically run (and which is the only fairly flat area around) is still covered with snow and ice, so I decided that probably running tempo pace on hills is a better option to risking a broken ankle... My husband had a suggestion about a route, which was great, because it's so nice to be able to blame someone if something goes wrong with a run.

Off I went around 4 pm. I started on Mass Ave for 2 miles, and then took a left on Pleasant street, as Chris suggested, and started my tempo. Holly hills! By .5 miles I was cursing in my head and getting very discouraged, but I plugged along telling myself that I can stop at the halfway point. I took a few turns on a couple of streets (mainly to avoid hills, unsuccessfully), and then went on a main road, still super hilly. After a mile or so, I noticed that my legs were much stronger on hills; I managed to keep a 7:20 pace while cursing and blasting rap (fitting, ha?). By mile 2.4 I saw a gigantic hill in front of me and decided to turn around into a complex and run the .10 there rather than run up the hill. I took a breather at 2.5 miles, and turned around. I ran and ran, faster and faster, and ended up with average of 7:14 for the 5 miles. I was flying over those hills, and missed my turn toward Mass Ave and back home.

I found myself at a gas station where a Russian guy told me to go back, take some turns, and surely I could find my way back. Good! I turned around and followed the directions, which took me to a v busy street with cars at a couple of inches from me. After a mile or so, I started getting a little nervous bc nothing around looked familiar. My pace was getting fast for a recovery run even though I was trying to run slow (how can I get myself a surge of adrenaline in races????). I ended up knocking on a random door to ask for directions again. A woman who obviously was undergoing chemo or radiations, came out in her pjs to explain to me how to get home. I felt so bad to disturb her, though she told me that it was a good thing for her to get some fresh air (thank you!!!). Her directions were great, and I managed to find my way in a little over .5 miles. By this point it was getting dark, I was getting cold and hungry! I got home with a total of 10 miles, 2@ 8:30, 5@7:14, 3@8:14, stuck my butt in front of the fireplace for a few minutes, and made a huge smoked salmon and tomato sandwich on rye to hold me over until dinner. I was to run 5 hilly miles tomorrow, but since I did all my runs on hills this week, and I am planning on running hills as part of my long run on Saturday, I will run 5 slug-like miles on flats tomorrow aka snowy bike path). With all the hills, I am praying my legs won't get mad at me!