What a Difference a Day Makes

   Today is a new day, a new opportunity for greatness, and a perfect time to take a good hard look at how great it is to be alive! Yes, this is quite the contrast to yesterday's more somber post, but isn't it amazing that as humans we can change? Every day is a chance to start fresh and renew ourselves. Easier said than done sometimes, but possible. And you know. . . If you never have a bad day, how would you know just how good the rest of them are?
   I started today in a much better mood than yesterday. Maybe I needed to finally be low. Maybe I was just a little more worn out so the emotional side came out more. Either way, I'm still glad I pushed myself to run. Physically I needed it yesterday, and today it showed. I looked back at the wall I climbed and felt empowered to push harder today. I finished my run this morning faster than usual! 
   I originally had planned to run at Mission Bay this morning and to do 6 miles. It is a truly wonderful place to run. Great view, great breeze, water fountains and mile markers. What more could you need? Today. . . HILLS! I have been on a hills kick lately. It is nuts. I've never been a hill runner. In fact, I avoid them. Hated them. But mid-way through this training I had an urge one day to do a hilly run. Man it felt good. Since then I've been hooked. It's really something, let me tell you, because they kick my butt! No joke. I practically cry. But when I'm at the top. . . WOW! I feel so strong. I feel like the rest is a cake walk. I might as well be on a moving sidewalk because I've already won.
   The process on the hill is a funny thing, however. It takes a little learning. On my first big training day last year I learned a very valuable lesson - Don't make up time going down hill. Yep, as fun as it sounds to make up an easy 5 minutes sprinting down that long stretch with no effort, I promise that when I crumbled, mid-stride, about a mile later on a flat from the cramp in my legs, I forgot all about that free fall. So now I know, when you go down a hill, take it a bit slow. You have to force yourself to stand straighter, almost lean back, maybe even walk part of it. Then is the up hill. You have to respect the up hill. "Walking is good", the professionals say. "Just keep your heart rate at the same pace." Well that is a bit over the top for me because all I can tell is whether my heart is beating or not. So I stick to the first part, walking is OK.  Anyone who knows Clairemont knows, where there is a down hill, there is an immediate up hill. It's Canyon World here. These hills aren't gentle nor are they usually short - half mile to a mile on average and very steep. This is where it becomes a funny process to me. I've just breezed down, caught my breath, looked up and said, " Holy Jeez! I don't want to!" But I do. Because I'm at the bottom of a canyon and no one is about to pick up a sweaty hitchhiker. It always seem like such a great idea at the top. Ever notice that? Ideas seem so much better at the beginning, then half way through you say, "why again?"  With no other option but to own up, I start jogging again as far as I can at a nice steady pace, feeling good, handling it, making progress, and then I realize. . . wait just a minute. . . I'm not jogging anymore, I'm walking. Hmmmm. . . the hill humbled my pace ever so slowly to reduce me to walking without even knowing it. Well dang. OK, start jogging again. This happens a few times throughout the climb, every time a shock.
   Today, I ran the farthest I ever have up Moraga hill. That is exciting to me. I felt strong, I felt driven. It's a hill that I usually walk at least 1/3 of and today I only stopped once. And it was a very short walk. I feel very strong and I owe that one to yesterday.
 
   Looking very forward to this week. Tomorrow I have a friend coming to the bay to run with me. Wednesday is going to be a slightly longer run at 9 miles. Thursday another 6 at the embarcadero on Harbor Drive, and Friday the Silver Strand for 14. I would love if anyone wants to join. Good company is so welcome. You don't have to run. You can bike, walk, run part of it. Heck, you can drive behind and yell "GO TEAM" the whole way if you want.
   Have a great week, too. That is what I ask today. I hope everyone feels as good this week to come as I do. Let's Party!