"Mary Katherine lives in Oak Cliff. I like Mary Katherine. Mary Katherine will run with me. I like running with others." I repeat these things to myself as I run with MK on Thursday mornings in beautiful Kessler Park...land of 1,000 gently rolling hills.
MK and I start our Tour de Oak Cliff at the crest of a hill on Junior Drive. It's a scenic spot, known for its varied flora and fauna (mostly ground coverings and the occasional raccoon) and mid-century modern dwellings (of unknown origin, truly one of Dallas's great mysteries...built circa 1954). At the crest of the hill the world is your oyster. There's a nice breeze, it's six a.m., the sun is just beginning to show itself, and the humidity is too lazy to make the climb to the top.
We start our run by clomping our way down the hillside. Running downhill can hurt after a bit--your joints kind of ache from all the pounding. By the time we reach the bottom, the laws of physics have taken over and I pray that no obstacles are suddenly thrown in my way, because I am counting on the momentum to keep my going for 5 to 10 minutes.
MK has introduced me to a seemingly pleasant running trail that winds its way along Kessler Parkway. It's about a mile round trip, and appears harmless. Don't be fooled. The trail is just a series of hills stretched out in a park like setting to make you think it's flat. The treachery.
Don't get me wrong, driving these hills wouldn't require down shifting your car. The sad fact is, you wouldn't even notice these hills if you were walking them, much less driving them. But when you are running them...particularly a few miles in, you tend to notice them. The remainder of the run consists of MK or myself commenting about how much we hate whatever hill we are climbing at the time.
There is an odd phenomenon when running. A gentle downward slope is totally unnoticeable. It's neither easier nor harder than just running on flat ground. Conversely, that same slope, when taken in reserve, is somewhat akin to a backward ski jump. No one knows why. It's just a fact.
And then there's the return trip to the top of Junior Drive. At this point the world is anything but an oyster...in fact the thought of oysters alone would make you instantly ill. Week 1 I made it half way up...to the last fence post of large house on the left #1. Week 2 I made it 60% to the top, to the start of the stone wall of large house on the left #2. Next week, I'm totally going to make it up to the top...of 70% of the hill...which we all know if the end of the stone wall of large house on the left #3.
Timmy
Days Left - 163
Total Distance Run - 20.5 miles
MK and I start our Tour de Oak Cliff at the crest of a hill on Junior Drive. It's a scenic spot, known for its varied flora and fauna (mostly ground coverings and the occasional raccoon) and mid-century modern dwellings (of unknown origin, truly one of Dallas's great mysteries...built circa 1954). At the crest of the hill the world is your oyster. There's a nice breeze, it's six a.m., the sun is just beginning to show itself, and the humidity is too lazy to make the climb to the top.
We start our run by clomping our way down the hillside. Running downhill can hurt after a bit--your joints kind of ache from all the pounding. By the time we reach the bottom, the laws of physics have taken over and I pray that no obstacles are suddenly thrown in my way, because I am counting on the momentum to keep my going for 5 to 10 minutes.
MK has introduced me to a seemingly pleasant running trail that winds its way along Kessler Parkway. It's about a mile round trip, and appears harmless. Don't be fooled. The trail is just a series of hills stretched out in a park like setting to make you think it's flat. The treachery.
Don't get me wrong, driving these hills wouldn't require down shifting your car. The sad fact is, you wouldn't even notice these hills if you were walking them, much less driving them. But when you are running them...particularly a few miles in, you tend to notice them. The remainder of the run consists of MK or myself commenting about how much we hate whatever hill we are climbing at the time.
There is an odd phenomenon when running. A gentle downward slope is totally unnoticeable. It's neither easier nor harder than just running on flat ground. Conversely, that same slope, when taken in reserve, is somewhat akin to a backward ski jump. No one knows why. It's just a fact.
And then there's the return trip to the top of Junior Drive. At this point the world is anything but an oyster...in fact the thought of oysters alone would make you instantly ill. Week 1 I made it half way up...to the last fence post of large house on the left #1. Week 2 I made it 60% to the top, to the start of the stone wall of large house on the left #2. Next week, I'm totally going to make it up to the top...of 70% of the hill...which we all know if the end of the stone wall of large house on the left #3.
Timmy
Days Left - 163
Total Distance Run - 20.5 miles
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