The Hardest 5-Minute Run of My Life

I really wish I could say that I did something impressive, like ran a 5-minute mile, but no. The hardest five minutes of running I ever endured were yesterday, when I attempted to run in my new city, Quito, Ecuador. Quito is the second highest capital in the world after La Paz, Bolivia. It is located about 2,850 meters -- 9,350 feet -- above sea level.

Many people suffer from altitude sickness upon arriving in Quito, but I was spared that malady. Instead, I was very tired all week and hungrier than usual. And I was out of breath much faster than usual. After 6 days in the city, I tried to go for a run. I was going to take the bus to a big park and go for a run, but I was kind of short on time, so I ran in the small park by my house.

People stared at me like I had 3 heads as I walked to the park. I was wearing running shorts and a tshirt...nothing scandalous. I guess people dont wear athletic attire here...

Thank goodness I didnt waste my time on the bus! I could only run for two minutes at a time, and didnt make it past 4 minutes 43 seconds. My lungs were SCORCHING. My mouth hurt! It was excruciatingly painful to breathe. Quito is wicked polluted, not like Santiago, Chile where the pollution hangs in a cloud over the city. Were talking huge black clouds of smoke erupting from every bus or truck that passes.

My lungs hurt the rest of the afternoon. Well see how further attempts at running go.