Tufts is on a Hill

Distance: 3.64 miles
Time: 31:09
Pace: 8:33


I have overheard so many conversations about the Boston Marathon that include the phrase "those Newton (MA) hills," usually accompanied by a large sigh.
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A large part of the Tufts University experience revolves around the fact that Tufts is on a hill. Do you live uphill or downhill? Is the uphill dining hall (Carmichael) better than the downhill dining hall (Dewick)? (Answer: hell no.) Uphill is closer to Boston Ave., downhill is closer to Davis. The rivalry goes on...As a tour guide, I am always astonished at how winded tour groups get walking up the hill. I find it ironic that we have so much uphill/downhill rivalry, tour groups die walking up it, and yet I hardly notice that our campus is on a hill.


In an attempt to prepare myself for "those Newton hills..." I tried to run hills around Tufts as a workout today. Turns out it is much easier to remember that Tufts is on a hill when you are running up it rather than meandering slowly to class. Running hills was a great throwback to Central Catholic HS cross-country practice, where hills were a staple at every practice.

I also ran today without my iPod. I haven't decided whether I will run the Boston Marathon with my iPod or not. I enjoy running with music, but hate switching between songs, and I am really really looking forward to all the cheering on race day, so we shall see. I am trying to mix up my training runs, and do some with the iPod, some without. I am running 20 miles this weekend (!), and I might do it without my iPod to see how it goes.