I have spotted the elusive hillous asskickis.  It’s a non-native species to Florida, so I rarely encounter it on my safaris runs.

CIMG8210

Watch out!  Hills can be pretty tough critters! 🙂

CIMG8213

I woke up at 6:45 and practically LEAPED out of bed in excitement.  I LOVE to work out on my vacations — there’s no pressure to get back at a certain time.

 

I had a slice of toast with almond butter before I left:

CIMG8204

And then I left for my long run of the week.  I knew I needed to squeeze in at least 6 miles to hit my 16 miles/week goal for marathon training. 

 

My mom lives in a rural area, even though her house is located within a subdivision:

CIMG8209

I ran up and down every cul-de-sac of the subdivision and then I ventured into the Tennessee countryside.  I was a little hesitant to do this because the last time I was in Tennessee, a huge dog actually tried to attack me on a country road.   It was pretty scary (I had to use a giant stick to fend him off)!  But I didn’t see any vicious creatures on my run today, just the super tough hillous asskickis.

 

Ahh, hills!  So many hills in my mom’s neighborhood.  My attitude towards hills is that I’d rather just tackle them at my normal pace than slow down to climb then.  It was a pretty heart-thumping workout!

 

  • Duration: 1 hour, 7 minutes
  • Distance: 6.5 miles (approx?? no idea, really)
  • Calories Burned: 520

 

I came home, iced my knees, and sat in a rocking chair on my front patio to enjoy this delicious breakfast:

CIMG8216 

Oikos yogurt, cereal, blueberries, and pecans.

CIMG8215

I’m off to shower and then we’re going SHOPPING again.  Keep your fingers crossed for me — I need an outfit for the Healthy Living Summit!  And we have plans to go on a hike in the Smoky Mountains later, too.

 

Have a wonderful Sunday!

{ 25 comments }

 

  • Christina- MINDFUL LIVING August 9, 2009, 6:32 am

    love sitting outside with breakfast! good thing you didnt get attacked this time!! aH!

  • angiesappetite August 9, 2009, 6:35 am

    Looks like a great way to start the day- And, yes, the Tennessee hills are killer! I did my first, and only, half-marathon in Knoxville a couple of years ago- the hills were unbelievable.

    Have a great time on your vacation!! Good luck with the dress shopping!

  • Becky August 9, 2009, 6:43 am

    Nice work on the hills! Especially in a long run! Have fun on your vacay and finding a dress 🙂

  • Barbecued Peaches August 9, 2009, 6:43 am

    I tried to tweet this to you yesterday, but twitter is terrible!

    TJ Maxx had a TON of cocktail dresses yesterday. Granted, I'm in Memphis but I imagine all stores would have a good selection. And it is tax free weekend here!

  • HangryPants August 9, 2009, 6:51 am

    There are a couple hills where I live, but I can avoid them. 😀 When I go home though, it's inevitabe because my parents live in a very up and down hilly neighborhood. It kicks my butt and hurts my butt every time. Have fun shopping.

  • roseyrebecca August 9, 2009, 6:58 am

    You're too funny! I'm glad you had a great run! Have fun and good luck shopping!

  • Sarah August 9, 2009, 6:59 am

    Do you use a HRM while running? I am thinking of getting one, but they are kind of pricey.

    Have an awesome time in TN!

  • katherine (the runner wife) August 9, 2009, 7:00 am

    Way to face those hills like a champ! And high five to you for getting out so early in the morning to bang out those miles!

    Enjoy the rest of your day and good luck with your shopping trip 🙂

  • Erica August 9, 2009, 7:01 am

    Great job on the run girl! We have like no hills in my neighborhood either so I'm sure I'd majorly struggle there! I did 6 miles this am too and it felt FABULOUS. Good luck with the shopping

  • K from ksgoodeats August 9, 2009, 7:06 am

    Hills blow! I live at the bottom of two so no matter which way I go I have to run up one. Glad you showed them who's boss 😉

    Have fun on the hike and shopping!!

  • irunisweat August 9, 2009, 7:10 am

    Hills are asskickis! Living in hilly Pittsburgh, in an even hill-ier neighborhood, hills are my best friend and worst enemy. If I run right outside of my house, hills are inevitable! And sadly (or gladly), I run right outside 95% of the time!

  • Andrea August 9, 2009, 7:17 am

    Hills are a killer! It's great to get some in once in a while though!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point August 9, 2009, 7:21 am

    sarah – i used to have a polar f4, which measures heart rate and calories burned, but it broke and i never bothered to get it fixed because i was kind of over caring about my HR or cals (it was always the same!). i would LOVE a GPS-monitor like a garmin, though. if you're going to invest, i would get a garmin 305 because it does all of the above – mileage, cals, and heart rate.

  • lookingforserenity August 9, 2009, 7:24 am

    ahaha you crack me up! glad you had a good run 🙂

  • michelle August 9, 2009, 7:27 am

    YAY for getting some hills in! The only "hill" I encounter in Miami is the Rickenbacker Causeway-lol! Glad there were no scary creatures to battle with!

  • Lovely Lacey August 9, 2009, 7:42 am

    I totally have to slow down to run up a hill. I dont think if I were to try to keep at my normal speed I would not make it up the hill lol.
    By the way just wondering where in Florida do you live? I am originaly from Tampa but am now living in England 🙁

  • lighterportions August 9, 2009, 8:27 am

    A dog attacked you? OMG I would have been terrified. Although that hillous would definitely freak me out a bit too lol

    Have fun shopping and HIKING!

  • Kristi (sweet cheeks) August 9, 2009, 8:32 am

    That sounds like my run yesterday!! My booty is hurting today from it!

    Your breakfast looks like a perfect summertime refuelment. Mmmmm.

  • Happy Feet 26.2 August 9, 2009, 8:50 am

    Currently, I am running hills all of the time trying to prep for the St. George marathon. They are tough! I also run in a "no leash law" rural area. Urgh! Of course, all of the owners say "They won't bite." True, they won't bite the owner, but me??????

    Be sure to summit Stone Mountain by foot. When we were growing up we would go in the summer and climb the mountain. A tradition that I must return to one day.
    Have Fun!

  • Peanut Butter Swirl August 9, 2009, 10:00 am

    I. hate. hills.
    thats the one thing I hate about all my running trails – they are full of em.

  • Sheri August 9, 2009, 10:03 am

    Great work on those hills! Have fun shopping and hope you find a killer dress!

  • heyitstay August 9, 2009, 11:21 am

    YEAH HILLS!! I feel awesome after tackling hills. Great run!

  • randomlymikey August 9, 2009, 12:09 pm

    ha ha you crack me up! and your face says it all. i enjoy some hills once in awhile. it's a challenge and keeps me from getting too bored. but i'm not as serious a runner so….. the bfast looks yummy and what a cute spoon 🙂

  • Paige@ Running Around Normal August 9, 2009, 12:28 pm

    Nice job on the run! Way to take those hills. Not too many of them here in IL either haha

  • Pam (Highway to Health) August 9, 2009, 4:48 pm

    Awesome run! Just think how easy your runs will feel at home now!

    Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point