Journal of a Distance Runner (Thursday April 26th 2012)

Hill Runs:

Have you ever tried to run up a hill? It’s not as easy as it looks.

At first, you think, “yeah, I can totally do this.”

After a few feet, you suddenly realize how steep you’re actually climbing.

I was surprised last week when my trainer told me to not only run up a 600 meter hill, but do it 7 times.

Let me tell you one things about hill runs, they stink. 

They’re terrible.

But everyone tells me their worth it.

At first I thought, “you guys are crazy. No way in heck can this be worth it.”

I soon realized how beneficial they can be.

Just a few days ago I was handed a map of the marathon route.

On race day I’m set to encounter a handful of nasty looking monoliths of destruction.

My knees are trembling already.

Information from the Minnesota Department of Health

Information from Sen. Carla Nelson's Office

Rochester- Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) and Representative Mike Benson (R-Rochester) announced Monday legislation that would increase the price of cigarettes by $1.29 to deter teen smoking.  The bill will direct revenue to be used to repay the debt of the 2011 education shift and lower the tax burden on job creators statewide.

Senator Nelson and Representative Benson were joined Monday at Hope Lodge in Rochester by Dr. Raymond Gibbons of the Mayo Clinic, Scott Heck, Chair-Elect of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and Michael Muñoz, Superintendent of Rochester Public Schools.

“This bill will help reduce the number of teenage smokers in the State of Minnesota,” said Representative Benson.  “Not only will the revenue collected help reduce expenses in other areas of state government, but it will also lead to fewer people who start smoking and give more smokers the reason they need to quit.”