I Don't Know What's Happening..

but I like it.  I've finally started getting my mileage up.  I'm mixing in some speed work, with long runs, morning and night runs and something weird is happening.  I'm getting stronger, or at least that's what I'm telling myself. 

First example...Thursday night.  I went to run at 9:30 at night.  That's after working all day, cooking dinner, tending to the toddler and cleaning up.  I went to my favorite park, for all you St. Louisans..Francis Park.  Half way there, my mind was providing me many reasons why maybe I should just turn around but I went. 

Now, I know this may come to a shock to those of you on the East and West Cost but STL is hilly!  We have rolling hill after rolling hill and they aren't fun.  This park sits on one of them.  For whatever reason, one side of it seems to be at a steeper incline than the other (the entire park is about 1.1 miles around). 

I usually take the easy way out because I HATE that hill and it doesn't do me any favors but that night I said the hell with it and went.  I conquered that hill not once but four times on that run.  The entire time I was thinking about this post from Christine over at LoveLifeSurf where she talks about her fear of the ocean.  She posed a question about fear and asking what your fear is. 

In the past, I feared this hill..I feared it would make me walk or slow my pace.  I feared it would beat me, because in the past it has, numerous times but Thursday night I beat it.  It reminded me to not let fear hold me back.  I left the park that night feeling more than just a sense of accomplishment for running 4 miles.  It was another little victory for me!

Fast Forward...

Today. As most of you know, I get to run the Hood to Coast with some amazing runners and I want to be able to hold my own so I've been running alot.  Yesterday I ran 5 and today I ran 8 but rather than just going out and back on Grant's Trail, I took a lap around my little slice of St. Louis.  If anyone knows Laclede Station Road, you'll know there are some sinister little hills that, again in the past have beaten me.  But feeling pumped from Thursday's run I focused and ran EVERY hill.  I came home and again, gave myself a little pat on the back. 

So, I guess I'm going to say that I'm stronger.  I am a little faster, which is also nice.  Maybe it's my new Mizuno Running Shoes.  Maybe it's my playlist.  OR...maybe it's the sign of hard work kicking in.  I'm never going to win any races but I know now that I have a fighting chance if I believe!

What do you want to accomplish?  Gotta love positive thinking!  Happy Monday!

Don't forget to head back to the MyRaceRagz post and see if you won!