Scheduled Time: 30:00
Actual Time: 38:02 (some walking)
RPE: 7

Today started off great.  I headed down to Road Runner Sports in San Diego, so that I would have full confidence in someone helping me pick out some new running gear.  Jeff was supposed to meet me, but APPARENTLY being with his parents and future in-laws as they meet for the first time was more important.  And it's not like the groom really needs to be there to look at the church or potential reception venues.  Anywho, Jamie went with me, so I wasn't all by my lonesome.  The girl helping me took a look at my feet when standing still, then had me walk across the room and back.  She measured my feet and then went to the back to pull some shoes.  My right foot rolls in slightly, so she went with stability shoes.  I tried the first pair and like them.  The next two pair weren't as good as the first, so I tried the first pair on again to make sure, and I still liked them.  They are made by Brooks.  I'm not sure of the model.  The heel on my right foot slipped a little bit, and so she taught me a clever little way of lacing and tying my shoes that pulls the heel in.  I snagged some running socks and a CamelBak water dispenser thing that straps to my waist and has a long straw.  Pretty soon I'll be on long enough runs where I'm going to need some water along the way.  My helper also explained that the only differences between the Garmin Forerunner 201 and 301 was a heart rate monitor and the price, so when I get a GPS watch, I'll be going for the cheaper one.  Gear-buying mission accomplished!

Jamie and I are still in Fallbrook, and I knew I _had_ to run today since I missed day 7.  One problem: hills.  Her parents' neighborhood is very hilly compared to our flat Playa Vista.  On the way out, Don decided to join me for the run.  He's been running these hills for a long time, so it was a cake walk for him.  He started us off at a pretty brisk pace, which I foolishly matched.  Eventually, I slowed down a little, and he just started zig-zagging back and forth to stay back with me.  I actually made it further than I thought I would before walking.  At minute eighteen, ascending a particularly long hill, I broke my barely even jogging pace down to a walk.  I tried to keep my walk a fast one at least.  I walked to the top of the hill in 2:30 and then started running again.  I maintained a more measured pace, and was able to keep going to 38:02 total time.  The shoes were great.  Tomorrow, my legs will be sore.  But I learned a couple of important things: 1) When running up a hill, don't look at the top of the hill, because progress seems slow.  Instead look down.  2) Don't try to keep up with Don.

UPDATE: The shoes are Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6.