We did a run last night around Lake Estes. I didn't make the full loop, instead doing 20 minutes out and 20 minutes back to the cars. I kept my shuffle pace up for the first five minutes, but then it just got too hard to breathe, so I walked. There's a considerable amount of discomfort to manage. The soles of my feet ached when I ran, and still ached when I walked instead. After everyone met back at the cars, I started to feel a second wind, really perked up. As the other runners came in I cheered for them. I find that I enjoy doing that more than I enjoy the running. I do the same thing during adventure races, cheer everyone on, and I feel flooded with inspiration, because I'm so proud of the effort people are putting in, the suffering they are trying to manage to get on to the next thing.
Today we ran in Rocky Mountain National Park. Cow Creek? I'll look it up. Again, I was way back from the pack, and actually didn't run much at all. Soreness in my legs, my chest from the panting yesterday I think, and I even, somehow, developed the first blister I've ever had while wearing my Montrail Hardrock trail running shoes.
I've got a long, long way to go with my fitness. Sometimes I look at that fact and think, well, you can only get better! What an exciting journey! And other times, like when I'm actually profoundly uncomfortable -- trying to run, specifically -- I think I may not be able to get there, or that running may not be the vehicle for getting me there. Time will tell.
