Some extra strength training...

Yesterday, I headed out for a run. My inlaws were visiting, so I was able to leave the kids with them and head out in the middle of the afternoon.

It was beautiful. I wore a short sleeved short and pants, and truthfully, I was a bit over dressed. I was just cruising along. Sometimes I play a game with myself where I guess my pace before checking my garmin. Everytime I figured I was going slower, but I was holding a pace around 6:10/km. I am quite capable of running at that pace, but usually have to push myself to get it.

I was heading down a hill, debating the rest of my route, when I saw two girls in front of me. The older one was on a bike and the younger on a scooter. The little girl went down the hill, went sideways and completely wiped out. An older lady on the path looked at them, glanced at me and kept walking.

I kept running - as far as where the girls were. The younger girl was 6, and her knees were badly scratched up. The older one turned out to be the babysitter and was 13 - though based on her size, I would have guessed 9; She was tiny. We tried to get the little one to walk, but she just wouldn't. She simply screamed and said her knee hurt so much. Truthfully, I thought she was overdoing it a bit, but at the same time, I'm sure she was in a lot of pain.

Their parents were at work, and I didn't have my phone with me. Truthfully, even with my phone, I couldn't have done a thing, since there wasn't anyone to call. I asked her where their house was, and I inwardly groaned when she told me. About a kilometer (0.6mi) away. Not so far, until you're carrying a six year old girl...

And carry her I did. Up the hill and onto the sidewalks. I tried to distract her by asking about her Easter, but no go. She just kept crying. I'd guess she was 5-10 pounds heavier then Spud, so around 50 pounds. Let's just say, there is a reason Spud doesn't get carried long distances anymore!

My arms felt like jello and I put her down for a minute while we waited at a stop light. Then picked her back up. Finally we got to her house and I put her down. She had calmed down a bit in the last few minutes when told she could have a bandaid and popsicle. I asked the babysitter if she needed anymore help and she thanked me and said they'd be okay now.

While carrying her, I figured that it was the end of my run. I'd be tuckered out and just head home. I was still feeling pretty good though, so I started running again and got a few more kilometers in. In the end, I did a total of 7 km (4.3mi), plus 1 km of walking and strength training. My arms are still sore.