First (Semi) Long Run

Today Coach and I embarked on the first long run. I was totally ready and willing to log six miles. In retrospect, this might have been a bit ambitious.

We headed out in Coach's SWEET convertible BMW...which, by the way, I doubted he would fit in. We went out to 53rd off of Skyline, I think, and jumped onto the Wildwood Trail. I had regaled Coach with how wonderful running was for me now and how I had turned the corner, yadda yadda yadda. Suffice it to say: I should have known better.

We start running and we get to a little map. I tell Coach I want to run six miles. He tells me there's no way he's running six miles, but we can add a little bit and make it be around five or so. Great!

Totally not great. As soon as I realized we were going to have to run some of the route on Leif Erickson I wasn't happy. I have NO IDEA why every runner in Portland thinks this thing is the holy grail, but if you ask me, it sucks big time, and here's why:

1. All uphill for the first three miles.
2. Rocks embedded in the cement trail that kill the feet.
3. On the way up you have to look at the people who are on the way back down who are sprinting like they're the fucking Great American Hero.
4. It's like New Year's Eve or St. Patrick's Day. Amatuer night.
5. People let their dogs shit everywhere.

And finally, there is no reason to run on a cambered "trail" with huge rocks that is mostly upwhill when there are so many trails (I mean the Wildwood is 30 miles!) in the city. God.

Anyhoo, we finally made it back to the Wildwood, only to deal with the biggest fucking hill I've ever seen. I'm totally not kidding. I told Coach I hated him three times. For real. As he's looking down on me from the top he says "It's all down hill from here!" Great, thanks asshole!

And that was today's run. It sucked. But I did it. And we drove home with the top down. Good times(TM). And, if you ever have any questions about any trail in Portland, Coach will know.

Miles/times this week:

Monday: Off
Tuesday: Forest Park (27 minutes/hills)
Wednesday: Esplanade (41 minutes/~four miles/flat)
Thursday: Off
Friday: Forest Park (27 minutes/hills)
Saturday: Esplanade (41 minutes/four miles/flat)
Sunday: 53rd (maybe five miles)
TOTAL: 19 miles give or take