Downhill Bad. Uphill Good.

I ended up not running yesterday since my toes were a little sore and I didn't want to have to rush too much in the morning before leaving for our trip. So I got up early this morning to run 6 miles.

After a few misfires [ 1) Braman had set up my new audio book the night before but the beginning wasn't on my mp3 player so he graciously got out of bed at 5:30 to fix it for me and 2) I wasn't sure which 6-mile route to take so B took a few minutes to map one out for me at that same time. What a good guy!] I left the house about 6 o'clock.

By cutting out some of the village running parts, I was able to use the same route I ran for my seven miles last week. So out, then down to the lake, across and back up I went. Very quiet and scenic. I enjoyed hearing the small lake waves lapping against the shore and was surprised to be dive-bombed by some small pointy-winged birds. Saw some more flowers I don't know the name of as well as some wild black-eyed susans that I think just recently bloomed since I don't remember them being there before. I finished in 1 hour and 10 minutes.

The one problem with this route is that about two miles of it is straight down hill and puts a lot of pressure on my toes, particularly the big toe on my right foot. One of the team coaches suggested that I try running with shoes that are a half-size larger so I may get a new pair of sneakers this week. I don't think I can run this course again in these shoes.

I may be pushing the boundaries of good taste, but here are two new pictures of my even-purpler toenails:





Running uphill is actually a lot more comfortable so I may look for a mostly uphill or level route for next time.

Tomorrow's a rest day and then back to 3 miles on Tuesday.