I received two new pieces of information this week. One, during yoga class, came from my friend Jenn. As we worked on core strength, she pointed out that by using core muscles, poses like plank are easier to hold as the core takes some of the weight off the shoulders and wrists. Yup, she's right (of course), plank still isn't easy for me, but this tip certainly helps a great deal.

Secondly, I picked up Bicycling magazine on my first visit to our new, gorgeous, airy, light, huge Drake Library. (The kids and I all gasped in unison as we walked through the door.) I was encouraged by the piece on "older" riders. Respect Your Elders - bicycling.com Needless to say, I loved the article.

The one that really stuck with me was this one. Rites of Passage - bicycling.com "The hill isn't in the way, the hill is the way" really struck me as an outlook I need to adopt.

So on my first ever run (the first of many more, I think) at Krumm nature preserve this morning I had an opportunity to put my new knowledge into use. C and I had taken a walk at Krumm earlier in the week and he had pointed to the west loop and mentioned some big hills. This morning after finishing the east loop, I decided to try the west loop as well. Yup, the hills were big. and long. and muddy. BUT the strength comes from the core and the hill isn't in the way, the hill is the way. Good words for the run and good thoughts to live with for a bit.