Running in the Rockies

~2pm: 12 miles in ~9:52 avg pace in Rapid City, SD. Min elevation: 3,233; Max elevation: 3,413; 784' gain/loss. Much more O2 down here- but still some topography! Rolling hills for 12 miles isn't necessarily easy even if there is twice as much O2. Plus, I waited until after I had checked into my hotel room and checked e-mail, did a bit of work, had a pity party for myself before I finally got out the door. Started in low 70's and felt like upper 70's along the main highway sections near the end of the run. R knee didn't feel great and blister from new insert on R arch tore away somewhere around mile 9- got the squishy/yucky feeling for about 3 miles.. Hope it heals up quickly. Not sure what I will do if not.  Also realized I forgot my heart rate monitor at home so hopefully the hubby can throw it into the box of food I packed for myself to be shipped out to the field station (mostly gluten free stuff and extra calories). Overall run was okay. I always think it will be SO much easier to run when I come down in elevation, but it is not always the case.

The pups did pretty well yesterday, last night, and this morning. We stopped by Cheyenne to see some friends and their newbie. B and L pup had fun playing with their dog for an hour or so. We actually ended up giving B pup a mild sedative from the vet and she didn't puke, but drooled nonstop. She finally passed out somewhere around hour 3 of the trip. Decided to stay in a hotel in Hot Springs, SD that allowed dogs. B pup fell asleep okay but was scared to be in a new place with odd noises, so she would bark at almost everything. I figured that was pretty uncool to our neighbors so I took her out to the car and slept with her out there all night. The car was actually more comfortable than the bed and luckily I am short enough to fit into the back with the seats down. It was kind of scary staying the night in the car- heard some drunks out and about and some shouting.. of course B pup slept right through all that ruckus. Only managed a few real hours of sleep though. Got to Rapid City around 9ish and had breakfast before the hubby had to head back to CO. Tougher than I thought it would be to say good bye. I know it is only for 6 wks, but I got all choked up. Silly. I think it is maybe a bit more than just not seeing him for a few weeks. I know I will miss him but I also think maybe I'm enjoying the comforts of my life a bit too much these days and I am more weary than I used to be about stepping outside my comfort zone. I think I've become much more of a control freak in the last few years and knowing that I will not have much control over my daily schedule or even eating options is maybe more difficult than I was originally willing to admit. But I am determined to make the best of the next 6 weeks and I am sure once the course is in full swing the time will fly by. Of course, I will still miss the hubby, B &L pups, and P kitty.. and CO.