PM 1 - After watching our guys dominate at the Hermiston Invite on a very, very windy day, I swung by Jump Off Joe hill on my way home for my run. It's been awhile and I've felt the need for some hill work, especially with Bloomsday and the Doomsday hill lingering on the horizon. Wish I'd had a wind meter, but it felt like a steady 20mph wind in my face all the way to the base of the hill. The road takes me through a canyon that acts like a wind tunnel on windy days, so it doesn't matter which way the road turns, the wind is channeled directly down the road. Some gusts felt 30+ and fully stopped me in my tracks. Running up the face of the hill was the easiest I've ever had it. I wish I could say it's just because I'm in better shape than ever, but I'm sure part of it had to do with the strong wind that was now at my back pushing me all the way. Regardless of the wind, it's a steep climb and my legs and lungs handled it 100% better than ever before; it can't all be because of the wind. I was worried a little about the race next week but this run eased my fears. I didn't spend too much time at the top as I felt like I was in danger of being pushed off the other side. I tempoed from the base back to my car, which is about 3.7 miles. I forgot my watch at home, but I had the wind behind me and felt like I was literally flying. Which was perfect..... I wanted the hill climb to strengthen my legs and the downhill tempo to get some fast turnover stuff going. I must've been pushing 4:45 pace on the first-half downhill section and sub-5:00 on the rest and my halmstrings are punishing me now. It felt awesome. My stride was totally stretched out and open and there were moments I felt like I was flying. It was awesome. | 