Running + Hills + Wind = HARD!

One word for today's run and that word is CHALLENGING!  Wow, super tough run this week, and the furthest this far in our training at TWELVE MILES!

The run started from the brand new Runner's Roost store in Lone Tree.  It is a VERY nice store, almost too fancy for running.  I was excited to shop after the run and Dad wanted to buy some new running shoes.  First on the agenda, 12 miles.  We ran up through the trails just south of the store for the first couple of miles (the "warm-up" miles), and by up I mean consistently uphill.  We were definitely "warmed up" when we got to the first water station.  Temperatures were probably in the mid 30s (which is just about perfect for running) but the wind chill was pretty chilly.  There also aren't a lot of trees up that way, so the wind whips through that area and it is extremely windy!  At one point we ran through a tunnel where the wind was coming at us so strong it felt like we were running in place (now I know where the term windtunnel comes from - and meatloaf).  Then there was a little bit of flat terrain before, as the Coach put it, the "Rolling Hills".

Mental note: "Rolling Hills" = Rolling Uphill or Rolling Downhill (no breaks in between)

The trail on the way out was mostly a rolling downhill, making the way back mostly a rolling uphill.  Our 4:45 pace running group was full of energy today which made for exciting conversations.  We made it to the turn around point pretty easily, but the run back was definitely a challenge.  Here's an example that we thought summed up the run back.

We were running past an assisted living place, uphill of course, and at the top of the hill we could see this little old lady out for a walk with her cane.  So we keep running towards her, but she didn't seem to get any closer... for a LONG time.  It is mentally challenging (and deflating) when you are running and can't catch an old lady with a cane walking!  

We did it though, one step at a time  And finished 12.25 miles.  =)  Truly an accomplishment today.  I just wish the wind hadn't been there so that Dad wouldn't have thought running 12 miles was always this hard.  In all of the 12 miles I have run, this was the hardest 12.  But he'll see next time.  I took him to Mimi's for breakfast to celebrate finishing this run.  He appreciated the "simple things in life, like the chair". 

Next week there isn't a group run, but we are running in the Running of the Green 7k - which is the St Patricks Day race in Denver.  Wish us luck!

Oh! and Dad didn't buy shoes this week... he didn't want to take his off after the beating his feet took. =)   And I also didn't throw him in the back of his truck and drive him home like he wanted me to. Funny Dad.