St. Louis

I'm just getting back from spending a week in St. Louis! I took care of my SIL, Alicia, while my ILs were on vacation, worked a lot (I'm teaching nine classes!), caught up with a few friends and did some running. Even though I lived there for five years while I was in college, I don't remember this city being that hilly. I think I was doing more partying, um, studying than running during that time period, but seriously---it was frightening and ridiculous.

Monday I made it a whole 2.88 miles before I felt like I was going to pass out. One long hill after another through my ILs neighborhood in Chesterfield left my heart throbbing, and not in a good way. I can run 22 miles at Stony Creek but I can't run a little over two in the suburbs. Already my week is not going well.

Tuesday I was smart and used the treadmill for my speed work mile repeats. Wednesday I did my 2.88 route twice, in the dark, managing to trip and fall, flat on my face, only once during my first loop. I think that's pretty good considering I was sans headlamp, the streets were poorly lit, there was ice and snow everywhere and I'm blessed with a complete lack of grace in general.

My intuition prompted me to take a good, long look at the St. Louis Marathon course elevation (pictured above). Who was I kidding?! I didn't even bother to drive the course, especially after my friend Leah emailed me to tell me that she ran the last 18 miles of the course over the weekend. Her email read, "..all I have to say is Hilly, Hilly, Hilly!!" I know how bad it's going to be. Look at that hill at mile 25! When I spoke with Leah on the phone about it, she used expletives while describing it. Whoever designed this course has quite a sense of humor. With so few surprises left in life, I thought I'd just wait and see for myself on April 6.

Thursday I did an 8.5 mile tempo run through Kirkwood (my old neighborhood!) It was fun to see how much it has changed and to rediscover the sharp elevation changes the city has to offer. I have five weeks 'til the big day and two 'til my taper. Ready or not....