Hurdling Fun

7/29/2010

Hello again.  So today was another interesting adventure in the world of running.  Today I ran with a group of 3 people.  It was suppose to be much larger, but it's all good!

This parking lot ,next to the Greek Theater, is where we usually meet.

As you can see it is usually empty so there is always space to park.  However it is not empty enough to practice driving.

As usual we started our warm up, and I was able to get a better picture of The Hill of Doom.

In this picture you can get a better idea of how steep The Hill of Doom. It's actually not too steep, but it is long.

This is about where we stop for the warm up.  Actually the view from where we stop.

Going down the Hill of Doom is always fun, but be careful not to trip.

After the warm-up is the stretching.

As you can see, my running buddies are happy to stretch.

Finally we are off to start the run.

The starting line starts at the pole, and you can still see some remnants of chalk when they have 5k's.
 

The run started normally.  We went around the field and climbed up the Mini-Hill of Doom.

The Mini-Hill of Doom wasn't too bad, I thought to myself.  All seemed well, too well until a furry ball of uncertainty approached. In fact, this ball of fur was headed for ME!  It was an accelerating ball of fur whose intentions were unknown.  The owners reassured me that the dog would not do anything.  Hearing this news made me feel a bit of relief. I've never been bitten by a dog, and I certainly did not want to start today.  So this ball of fur continues on it's mission towards me with no sign of slowing down.  Meanwhile my running buddies are further ahead because I had to take these "professional pictures".  I didn't want to slow down either, so I kick the dog off the side of the cliff.  Just kidding I love animals.  So I hurdle over the dog in graceful fashion to the amazement of the owners, my running buddies and myself.  As I pass by the owners they say sorry.  It is ok, because it's all in a days work for me.  Yup, hurdling over animals.


So the rest of the run was pretty normal. We went up The Sands of Despair.  Here you can get a better idea of what I'm talking about.

A view of the sands of despair from the top.

A view from the bottom of The Sands of Despair to the top.

 We  finished the run of The Sands of Despair route in 29min and  12 seconds.
Stay tuned for more updates.  See you then!