First Official Run

I just completed my first official run as a Pacific Northwest citizen. The air was cool, the sky overcast, and the streets were quiet. About a mile into the run I was completely lost.

And I loved it.

I imagine there are few cities on Earth more beautiful and fun and cool to be lost in on a run than Portland. I started by running up Marshall Street, past several numbered avenues, until I reached a staircase. Yes, the road turned into a staircase!

So instead of going down the rabbit hole I went up the staircase, through some residential areas, around a bend through some commercial areas (Pottery Barn, Levi's, World Market, and so on), all the while not knowing where I was. It's liberating to be lost and to not care because you are completely disregarding fear; it has no power over you.

It was a tempo run, and thanks to my 6+ years of training at altitude, it wasn't too difficult, even with the countless hills. Portland is a great city to run in. If you want to challenge yourself on a hill, turn left. If you need a breather, turn right and go downhill.

Now I'm eating breakfast and getting ready for my first day at W+K! Grape Nuts and pears in pear juice. Need to get to the store and buy some milk and other essentials.