Best.run.of.my.life

I had trouble sleeping on Friday night because I knew what Saturday had in store for me. Terwilliger - that darn hill that I ran three weeks ago that absolutely killed me. Three weeks ago, we only had to run 7 miles. This week it was 10. I was really really scared. I didn't want to fall back from the group again and I really wanted to be able to have a good run.

We got up and moving Saturday and started on the run with the group. We are making more and more friends - I really feel so lucky to have met this group of people. Anyhow, we start heading out. I stick towards the back of the pack so no one will see me when I inevitably drop off. We head through downtown and then through Portland State campus. I feel good.

And then I saw my inspiration. Two people are on a walk through campus with their dog. That dog had three legs. At that point, I thought to myself, "I am going to climb this damn hill." If that dog can go on walks with three legs, I can climb this hill.

And so I did. I knew that we had reached the base of Terwilliger and I started staring at the ground. I told Mike, "I am not looking up. I am only going to look 10 feet in front of me." To be completely honest, I didn't even notice the climb. I was absolutely convinced that we had run a different route. Not only did I not drop back from the group, but I was passing people. I felt great. I felt like I could conquer the world. I kept asking Mike, "are you sure that this is the same run that we did. Are you really sure?" It was and I kicked its ass.

I am a runner. And for the first time, I really believe that.