Just a Little More

Time:  25 minutes
Distance:  2.26 miles
Location:  Yucca Loma to Cronese

After a busy weekend during which I had not a minute's opportunity to run, tonight was a much-needed workout.  My legs felt rested after two days off and I felt that I needed to push myself just a little bit more.  I decided to do a timed run and to add on 5 more minutes for a total of 25 minutes.  I also decided to tackle a tougher route:  an out-and-back along Yucca Loma Rd.  Last summer I ran this route a couple of times, taking it out to Rincon Rd. and back for a total of 3 miles.  Tonight I was not quite in the same amount of shape as last summer and so it was a tough run.  The first part of this route is a gradual uphill that culminates with a sharp incline to the top of a hill.  Getting up that thing was tough, but I made it.  Once on top I decided to turn back at Cronese Rd. rather than Rincon because I had already been running for about 15:00 at that point, so I needed to start making my way back.  The way back is my favorite part.  Yucca Loma drops down toward Apple Valley Rd. and the entire high desert opens up before you!  Since I didn't set out till after 8:30pm, it was dark and the valley was glowing in lights!  You almost forget that you're running.  By the time I reached Apple Valley I was definitely hitting my end.  25:00 was up by the time I got to my neighborhood, but I still had another quarter mile or so to walk home (which ended up being a nice cool down).  All in all a good run, though it was tough going at times, and I can definitely tell I have a few more weeks to go before I can say I'm "in shape."

As an end note, I talked to my friend Scott today (who I'll be running the Majove Narrows 5k with), and we decided to set up a time to head up to Lake Arrowhead to train in altitude.  Since the elevation here in the high desert is around 3,000 feet (and Scott lives at around 1,500 feet elevation), we decided what better way to prepare than to go up even higher, up into the mountains, to get used to that thin air, get in a run or two, and since my parents have a cabin up there, it will work out perfectly!  During the summer of 2010 I tried to go running up in Arrowhead when Deborah and I stayed there, but I never got around to it.  So I'm definitely looking forward to doing this.