The Importance of Planning

Seven miles. That's running from my place in southwest Portland to downtown and back, and since I opted to sleep in Saturday morning rather than meet the rest of the TNT group at 8 am, that's what I had to do. I started down to the river, ran by south waterfront, under the OHSU tram, and hit the halfway point at about the middle of the Hawthorne Bridge. I didn't want to do an "out and back", I wanted to loop back to my place, spice things up. I made a mental route while jogging across the bridge: I would swing down and run along the Esplanade, swing back up, hit the Ross Island Bridge, wind my way around to Corbett, then end my nice, perfectly measured and executed run at my doorstep. Simple. I didn't expect to get sidetracked by finding the Springwater Trail. Having never ran on it before, I thought, why not? It heads in the direction of the Ross Island Bridge, I should be able to get off the trail at some point and find it. If I only would have heeded to the directions of the signs, I would have saved myself miles!

The first sign I ran past said 3 miles to Sellwood. I didn't realize that 3 miles to Sellwood would mean a fence-lined trail to prevent any attempt at a shortcut until Oaks Bottom Park, which is basically Sellwood, making a shortcut pointless. So I ran. And ran. Seven miles came and went and I was still on the east side of the river. I wouldn't have been so upset about the extra miles had I not felt like I had been thrown down Mt. Hood the day before. I was limping through the run from the very beginning. I probably should have just stayed in bed.

On tired legs I jogged across the Sellwood Bridge, stretched, and ran along 43 looking over my shoulder the entire time for a bus to pass and maybe take pity on a runner who went too far. No such thing happened. About two miles from my house I gave into my legs and walked! I walked/jogged the rest of the way up the hill and to my place. I have never been so happy to walk through my door. I immediately ran a hot bath and nursed my sore and extremely tired muscles.

Since the beginning of this journey, I have been learning and experiencing new things (i.e., sardines from a can, Goo, fundraising, layering). This last run taught me that I should plan a little better, especially for the longer runs. The silver lining - I now know the perfect ten mile loop from my place! I have also learned that raising money for a great cause is not as easy as it sounds, and I'm still making my way towards that $1,250 goal. Thanks so much for those that have already donated (Grandma, Stacy, Kathy), and for those of you still thinking about a donation....it will be much appreciated by not only me, but Barbara, Jennifer, Evan, and Emily (my honored teammates). Please take the time to visit my Training Page and make a donation.

Thanks!