Maple Leaf, 15th Avenue North Attack

The plan was to wake up with a 5-Hour Energy drink, and then go for a run at some point. But I got busy and forgot about my “vitamins.” Didn’t realize it till I got back. Don’t know if I would have had a better run if I’d had the 5HED. Probably not. I was just sore from yesterday’s hills.

But so what. More hills today. Same hill as yesterday, but a different approach. Roosevelt to 3rd Avenue to 130th which turns into 125th to 15th Avenue. Nothing much to say about that. Mile one was done right afterI made the right onto 15th Avenue, 9:04. Normally I’d say “too fast!” but my GAP (Grade Adjusted Pace, which accounts for hills) was 9:28 which seems good to me. This, despite some aches and pains in hy right foot.

Down 15th Avenue, across Northgate, and the lowest point at 105th street. Right after that, before the hill really kicked in, mile 2, in 8:56 (GAP 8:53). And then a half mile of climbing. At 95th I made the right turn to keep on climbing, up to Roosevelt. I read on Wikipedia yesterday that 95th and Roosevelt was the 3rd highest point in Seattle.

It dropped after that, and mile 3 was done when I passed 5th Avenue: 9:43 (GAP 8:51). Now that’s what I’m talking about. My legs felt very heavy. But the foot pain was mostly gone.

Down to 1st Avenue, and the right turn. This descent bottomed out as I passed the Northgate Transit Center. The rest was a gentle rise. Mile 4 just passed Northgate Way, 9:25. And more rise as 1st Avenue goes North, swinging left to cross Highway 5, and a right turn to stay on 1st rather than continue on 117th. Mile 5 between 128th and 130th. My legs were lead at this point. 9:37. GAP was 8:39. I’ll take it.

And finish by taking 1st Avenue to Roosevelt, a right turn, left into my driveway. Sweaty and out of breath, but happy I did it. 51:15, 9:18 average pace for my moving time. I’ll rest tomorrow, see if I can get in a less hilly run Saturday after the wife comes home.

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