Three Mountain Miles

I'd be lying if I said I was on top of my running game right now. In fact, the last few weeks my miles have really been slacking. There's an off-season training plan I'm *supposed* to be following, but I'm not (sorry Grant!!!). Weekdays I'll shell out a 5k a day, and weekends I'll pound out 5-6 miles. But, with no races in my near future my motivation to run anything over a 10k is seriously lacking.

With that said, while we were up in the mountains my legs were just *itching* to get out and run.
How could I deny myself a run in a place that left me breathless without ever taking a step?

As I was preparing, I told Scott I was going to just get a "quick" 5k knocked out. Scott mentioned altitude, and how the 3.1 would be more difficult than normal. I scoffed at him and brushed off his warning.

The run started out like any other. Within minutes it was obvious my body was not conditioned to run at such a high altitude.

So, what does one do while they're running among such beauty? Stop to take pretty pictures, of course (and suck down some precious oxygen).

When I finally wrapped up the run I was exhausted. That 3.1 miles may have been the most difficult I'd ever run, and my time was definitely one of the slowest I've ever clocked for a 5k - just under 30 minutes - yikes. However, it was an amazing run, one that I can't quite put into words. Between the views, the ascent up the mountain, the elevation and lack of oxygen, it was all so… awesome. 

Running along the beaches is pretty spectacular, but I wouldn't mind lacing up and seeing this every day.