23 weeks, 3 days

Over the past year, I've traveled a few times for work. Each time, I've used running as a way to explore the area. In Malaysia, I discovered a hidden palace on the top of a hill. In Panama, I learned how unsafe it actually is to run around Panama City alone (luckily, I learned this the easy way through noticing the eager looks of groups of young men congregated on the corners). In Portugal and in Hawaii, Meredith and I used it as a way to see unparalleled views of the ocean and travel through unbelievably different neighborhoods (remember when we stumbled across that neighborhood in Madeira full of those locals who thought we looked hilarious, Mer?)

So, I thought I'd do the same today - use my run as an exploration tool. But, my love for the track trumped my love for exploration. I headed to the Olympic Training Center again, with the intent of running through it to the other side and hopping onto some of the roads over there to see a new side of the city. But, once I got to the track, I noticed it was occupied... by really fast people! It was hard to tell what type of runners they were. On the one hand, they were tiny (screams distance runners). On the other hand, they warmed up in full track suits in 60 degree weather (screams sprinters). Their 200 intervals were between 32-33 (could be sprinters or pretty legit distance runners). Then, so strangely, rather than jog (distance style) or slowly walk (sprinter style) between intervals, they actually power walked. Like, legit power walked. Using their hips and their arms. It was wild. So wild that I had to run in circles around the park area surrounding the track to watch them (hence not exploring).

The security guards at the OTC definitely know me now - I get a thumbs up from them as I come and go. It's refreshing, as most other people just stare (in mild disapproval, I think).

Run: 4.5 miles
Kinda stretched - getting a bit hard to stretch anything other than my arms/shoulders and legs. Need to figure out a core stretch.