No, I'm not decking any halls and I got rid of that darn prickly holly bush last summer. Perhaps you've guessed? Oh yeah, it's allergy season. How can I tell? I could not get a deep, ful breath in for several miles. The flowers and trees are beautiful, but the pollen does a number on my respiratory system. Time to start carrying around the back-up inhaler for long runs until we get a few good rain storms.
Alrighty, complaining aside, the weather this week has been beautiful for running. Almost hot. It's conducive to working up a really good, cleansing sweat that makes you feel accomplished. This evening was a pretty easy run, though it started out pretty tough. My first two miles through Stanton Park and up toward Lincoln Park felt like I was pulling a weight sled, the wind was blowing so hard. The last couple as I headed back to Capitol Hill and in front of the ever-inspiring domw (do you get tired of me talking about the dome?) presented more calm air to cut through. All in all, though, a pretty decent adventure. Lots of runners out, dogs strolling and good old car horn honking through DC :)
Oh, and I almost forgot, I believe I figured out what has caused the back pain the past several days. Tonight I noticed a rather decent-sized bruise on my right lower back - about 3 inches long and 2 inches high. I've got my annual physical tomorrow morning, so I'll have the doctor check it just to be sure and I'll ask for a referral to the physical therapist to make sure it didn't affect the SI joint again. I've got too much to do this year to be sidelined by injury! Happy trails!!!
Stats -
Miles: 4.43
Time: 37:54 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park
Feeling: A little sore and wind blown, but otherwise trudging along
