Spring is on the way!

Oh, thank goodness spring is almost here.  I am so over all of the ice, snow, and temps in the 20s.  We moved from Cincinnati to get AWAY from that type of weather.  All of January, we were bombarded with it.  Ick.  I'm ready to move on.

So I ran alone today.  The first time in a really, really long time.  I've become a little too dependent on others to keep me company while running, and now I realize I need to spend a little more time alone.  For the first time in forever, I ended up with negative splits!  I wasn't setting out to do so....it just happened.  I think it's because I wasn't talking my fool head off for miles and miles on end.  I was breathing.  I was focused.  I was...a lot speedier than I have been the past few months.

The first segment of this run is uphill.  You kind of have to "climb" in order to get into campus.  From there, you go downhill again, but I walked the steep downhill portion due to my shins aching so much. (The doc said to walk steep downhill segments to help with shin splints.)  Then you have to climb your way back up again in order to get back home.

Mt hood.  It's so snowy and white, it doesn't really contrast well against the sky.  

St Helens.  Can imagine the view from those two homes???

The wooded area through WSU Vancouver's campus is quiet and creepy at times.

You never know what you'll find when you look around.   

And then you look to the left and see car after car drive by.

Other than my allergies kicking into high gear this week, this is an indication spring is on the way.

My first time back into the 9's in since fall.  Ahhhh, it's nice to be back!

 I did not want to run today. I forced myself to do so.  I've been having to do that a lot lately.  Once I was on the road, I was fine.  As usual.  My shins were bothering me a bit.  I've been fighting off shin splints for a few weeks now.  They started with an old pair of shoes.  I'm hoping switching to a new pair will help.  Then again, any time I go faster my shins end up aching.  So, I probably screwed myself over with today's run.

3.54 Miles
Mile 1  10:21
Mile 2  10:03
Mile 3  9:56
Mile 4 (.54 of  mile) 8:45!!!!!

I remember telling myself as I ran up a loooooooong drawn out hill on the back side of campus, "This is the fastest you've EVER run up this hill! Don't you DARE stop now!"  So I kept going. :)

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