My Confession.

After Wednesday's great interval progress, I hit a bit of a block on the running front for the rest of the week.

Wednesday, when I could have had an excuse not to run as it was a very busy day, I managed to squeeze it in. Thursday, I knew I wouldn't run as I had a 3 hour drive home after working until 10pm the night before and I figured that deserved a break.

Friday, I wanted to do a little 5 km run around my usual 5 km route. I got dressed to go out. I got my iPod ready. I ran 3/4 of the way around the block, and then instead of going out to the main road to continue on my route, I turned the corner and walked home. It was a bit windy, but that's no excuse. I really just couldn't be bothered.

I was already planning to do my long run on Sunday this week as I'd made plans with a friend for Saturday afternoon forgetting I'd signed up to volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Campaign in the morning, but if I got up early I could still do the 5 km and not completely miss the run. I got up early, but then distracted myself with other things sufficiently long enough to run out of time to fit the run in before heading out to volunteer. On a side note, there was GREAT people watching at the liquor store where I was stationed on a Saturday morning!

Basically, this is just a long story to explain that I missed a run, and I'm feeling very guilty about it so I'm confessing here so that I can move on.

The guilt was good for one thing: I was more than motivated to get out and run today. The sun was shining and it was warm enough to wear shorts! I decided a new route would also help get my butt in gear so did a bit of research on Google Maps this morning. I've only lived in Quesnel for 2 years, but it's not very big, so I was surprised to discover a road that I didn't know existed. Having been fooled by Gmaps before, I got in my car to check out the route. Good thing I did as the "road" was barred with a no trespassing sign and went right through the Plywood mill. I guess that's why that road is called "Plywood Hill!"

I drove home and came up with a new plan. In Quesnel, you either live "up the hill," or "in town," at the bottom of the hill. It's a pretty significant hill, in that your ears pop when you drive up it, and trucks put on their 4 way flashers and slow to a snail's pace as they climb it. I live up the hill, so most of my running is done on top of the hill. When I talk about running up hills, I generally mean slight rises and undulations. I decided it was time to run THE HILL.

Leaving from home, first I had to run down the the hill, so my first 7 or 8 kms were my speediest ever. Then I started climbing back up the hill. I was very glad that the route I took brought me up the hill on a path behind the rec centre and out of sight from the highway as no one was able to see me as the hill absolutely, undoubtedly kicked my ass. I ended up walking one minute, running two minutes to make it to the top, but was able to go back to running for the final 4 kms along the top of the hill to return home.

I am feeling a bit discouraged, but also glad that I tried this hill out now, and not the week before the half marathon in Vancouver which will have me running up a giant hill in Stanley Park near the end of the race. (Did I mention that I registered for the BMO half marathon on May 2nd?)

So I've got a month to turn this around into me KILLING the hill. Suggestions welcome!