Much Better

It is true - time and more running eases those sore muscles. I feel much better today after three days of running. There wasn't anyone waiting for me when I went out to run yesterday, so I chose to skip the hill run. For one thing, it doesn't seem smart to post on the wide, wide internet exactly where I plan to run at 5 am, then go do it solo. And, I was still a little too sore and tired to contemplate the hill route. Instead I chose a five mile route that included two substantial hills - actually, when I look at the Garmin elevation graph, I am surprised at how hilly most of my routes are. They are really small hills though, some barely even noticeable - except you feel extra effort in the legs when you are on them. Today Barb and I ran for 4.88 miles, no big hills.

I'm facing an 11 to 12 hour day at work today - though one of the good things about my job is that the hours are completely flexible. I worked yesterday morning and last night, taking the afternoon between off. Today I'll do the long hours, and then just work a few hours in the morning. I like knowing I can schedule appointments, or slip out to watch Riley at cross-country or track meets. Once I've put in my posted office hours, and met my classroom obligations, I have the option of packing things up and working from home - which was really nice during all the snow and ice. On the downside, we are having a training tonight - a refresher, really - on child abuse. As classroom teachers and college instructors, we are mandated reporters, which means we are required by law to report suspected abuse. It's been quite a few years since our last training on this topic, hence the refresher course. Sad and scary to think about, but very necessary.

On to more pleasant topics: this weekend's runs. Jenny and I are planning a double loop at the very hilly Pt. Defiance this weekend for 10 miles. I'm pretty sure we'll have a few others joining us. I'll be running there again the next day - but only one loop for five miles. We are prepping for our next race the following weekend. That involves a hilly, gravel service road around a lake - something like 9.3 mile loop - we'll do two, while Eric, and (I think) Rob and Steve put in three. We've been having clear cold mornings that last few days - temps right around 36 in the morning, up to 50 or so in the afternoon. That is forecast to continue through the weekend - which will be much nicer than our last run at the park where we got soaked. Oh, and rumor has it that all the downed trees have been cleared, so we won't have to climb over and crawl under.

Till next time...MM#402.