3/26/14. wed. hill repeats. busy evening, with my run and E's wrestling tournament.

these hill climbs were brutal.  there were points when I wanted to quit running and start walking.  each climb started great, with a what felt like a sprint, a really steep climb, up on the toes, big arm swings, deep breaths.  each climb started feeling great, and rapidly got horrible.  the hill just never seemed to end.  chest working like a bellows, lungs heaving, slowed to the point of a jog, just so hard to continue running up the hill.  I just have to trust in the training plan, that this is a tool, similar to sprints or intervals, and that I am building an engine that's going to get me where i want to go.

it was so busy yesterday.  E had his end of season wrestling tournament.  that kid has so much heart, and so much courage.  the tournament was supposed to be 3 matches for each wrestler.  Based on his record going in (7 and 1), he didn't get a first match, they just moved him into the next bracket.  He lost his second match.  I think he was just over-whelmed with the whole experience, the crowd, all the matches, just he whole tournament environment.  Then came his last match, at the end of the night.  He almost pinned his opponent in the first period, then he almost got pinned in the second.  they were dead even on points going into the third.  E almost looked scared, but his coach told him something I didn't catch.  then he flat out went beast mode on his opponent.  he was all over him like a spider monkey.  his whole team was on the sideline cheering for him, and he fought so fiercely.  he was sprawling and grappling like a champ. down on the mat, he was all over that kid.  E pinned his opponent, and ended up taking third place in his weight class.  I'm so proud of him.  this was his first season, and he ended up varsity just because there was no one else in his weight class at his school (i think he weights in at 77 pounds, dripping wet).  so it was his first season, no previous experience, and he ended up with an 8 and 2 record, third place at the tournament.  He was so stoked.  He reveled in the team, all his team mates seemed to like him and support him, and all in all it was such a great experience for him.  since he's only in 7th grade, he still has another year in middle school.  he was so happy to get a win, and to get third place.  his team and his coach were real excited, and the enthusiasm level was so high.  but before bed, he told me "dad, next year, I'm going to be in first place".  I'm proud of him.  but I didn't get home and into bed until 11pm, which makes for a miserable 5am 3 miles...

3/26/14. run. hill repeats.  coffee. orange. almonds/peanuts. chicken/kale enchiladas. broccolini. protein bar. reuben sandwich. trail mix. bacon cheeseburger. seasoned curly fries. lots of water.