“Marathon Mistake #7 Don’t be unprepared for different types of weather. ” Christine Luff- about.com

I took this advice to heart when I laced up and headed out for a 3-miler in the midst of  a typhoon!  OK, I know there aren’t typhoons in Oregon or in Northern California for that matter.  I guess today’s weather could be more appropriately described as “hurricanesque“.  Well, I might be exaggerating slightly.  But the air flow was much more aggressive than a trivial breeze, it was downright windy!

Trooper that I am I took the direction less traveled by, and that made all of the difference.  I could have gone easy on myself and run with the wind, but badass VJB decided to run against it instead.  My pace was not impressive, but I persisted.

As if this rigorous wind-resistance training was not enough, I decided to throw a steep hill (see above) in to the last third of the run.  I don’t think the picture does the arduousness of this incline any justice, but it was the best I could do with my iPhone.  This ascent, like another I’ve described, would have reduced me to a blubbering, walking shambles 4 1/2 years ago.  Although its only .5 miles in duration, the abrupt climb and switchbacks taunted me the entire  time.  Up I went blissfully unaware of the sound of my strangled breathing (thanks to modern technology/earbuds).  Once at the top, I didn’t stop to admire the view.  My legs kept moving of their own volition, clamoring for  the .45 mile flight downhill, back in to the typhoon.