Monday, I ran a quick 20 minute run on the treadmill at 10% incline. Yikes!

Wednesday, I trained on Barr Trail with May and her neighbor Jeannie, who has done the Ascent twice before, and the person who convinced May to run the Ascent this year.

May was going to do her 20/20/20 workout. The first 20 is a warm up. May’s warm up pace is basically my tempo pace. Our goal was to head up for an hour, and then come back down. After the first 20 minutes, May and Jeannie (with her long, long legs) took off ahead of me while I tried to maintain a steady pace for myself.

I tried counting switchbacks again, but I am still never sure where to start, really. Training on the Barr Trail is amazing. I didn’t bring my iPod because it hasn’t been working (the sensor is not being detected). But I didn’t need it. It’s all you can do to keep focused on the trail in front of you and then get distracted by breathtaking views around nearly every turn.

I totally got that feeling of me vs. the mountain heading up there.

I could see them ahead of me on the trail for the next 15-20 minutes, then lost sight of them after the Top of the Ws. After a while, I started to worry. Surely it’s been an hour, why haven’t I run into them on their way down yet? Did I miss a turn? I ran into some older women hiking the trail, and mentioned that I was looking for my friends. They said that my friends had passed a while ago, so that was reassuring. Although, really, there’s no way to get lost – the trail is clearly marked.

So, up, up, up I went, even jogged a little in some places, finally.

Then it appeared.

:cue angelic music here:

The rock arch! I finally made it to that coveted milestone! I felt like skipping for joy…

About 10 minutes later, I finally caught up with May and Jeannie on their way down. At that time it was 1:10 since we started. Not too bad.

Downhill is easier on the lungs, harder on the shins. Plus there is the fear of falling factor.

As we headed down, May asked if my dad was picking up Zander from school.

Why? What time is it?

10:29.

Crap. So I borrowed a cell phone and called my dad. He said he could pick up Zander.

Whew!

All in all, a good run. After a quick shower, we headed for lunch and to playdate…

Tiffany had her baby!

I’m recovering from some horrible bug that I caught from the boys.  Thursday night, I was bouldering at the climbing gym, feeling very strong and healthy.  Afterwards, had a great dinner with the girls. 

I woke up Friday morning feeling more tired than usual.  Tired enough not to run.  By 11 AM, I was nauseated and starting to feel weak.  I had a Popsicle for lunch because I was afraid if I ate anything else I would lose it.  By 1 PM, I was in bed.  I couldn’t sit at the computer anymore.  I was supposed to meet with Tiffany, and I thought I would feel better after a nap.  I felt worse when I woke up.  My legs were shaky.  Instead, I did business calls from bed, propped up, so I didn’t sound like I was as tired or as nauseated as I was.  Vikki (my sitter) left at 4 PM.  I moved down to the sofa to be around the boys.  By 5:00 PM, I was barely able to sit up.  My muscles felt like jello, like they were wasted away.  Putting weight on them was a struggle.  I called my dad and asked him to bring me chicken rice soup from Wild Ginger (comfort food).  He brought it over and helped feed the boys dinner.  Doug had to work late at the store, so he didn’t come home until after 7:30 PM.  I was still on the sofa.  We canceled our plans to watch the season finale of Battlestar Galactica.  Doug rented some movies that I was only partially interested in.  I actually managed to stay awake for it – Hollywoodland.  Around 10:30 PM, I was able to sit up comfortable.  It wasn’t until almost 1 AM when I felt close to normal.  When I woke up the next day, I was completely fine.  If I didn’t have to work to make up for all the time lost the day before, I would have probably gone for a run.

I rarely get sick.  I can’t believe how weak this bug rendered me.  I have a high pain threshold and usually just tough it out through everything, but I simply couldn’t get up.  I couldn’t believe an illness could render me so helpless.  Anyway, today I feel even better. Strong enough to hike or walk or run even.

I haven’t t-tapped since March 21.  I haven’t run since Wednesday.  I did get some good climbing in on Thursday.  We went to the zoo today, so that’s something, but mostly I stood/sat around while they climbed on rocks and played in the playground.  I ran into Annie and her family while we were there 

Now I’m home, and I need to tackle some laundry and some website work. 

I need to get my ass in gear if I want to survive the Ascent!