I went to the gym yesterday evening with intention to do a run. My treadmill runs lately are about 3 miles cuz that’s pretty much all I have time for during lunchtime. When I say “lately,” however, I mean one run every other week or so; I’m not that good about it. Yesterday, I stepped on the treadmill and input a program for Alpine Pass (2 steep hills in the middle of the program), set the maximum speed for 5.5mph, maximum hill at an incline of level 5, set the duration for 45 minutes, and went for it. It was a smooth, comfortable run. I was so comfortable, in fact, that at the end of the program, I immediately reset the treadmill for a 5.5mph run on a flat course and went at it another 15 minutes plus an additional 9 minute cool-down jog/walk. (Afterwards, when I did abs on the mat, I put my workout towel behind me and laid my back on it. It was almost wringably wet when I was done.)

I dedicate that run to Mel, who’d written in a recent blog entry that she’s now up to 60 minutes in her runs now. That statement stuck in my head last nite, and inspired me to reach for 60 minutes as well. Thanks, Mel!