The hills of San Francisco. Is there any better challenge for a runner? Two days ago, I was feeling ambitious enough to tackle a 4 mile loop. Down Sacramento in Nob Hill to the Embarcadero. North on The Embarcadero to Bay. Bay to Mason. Up the grueling hill of Mason. It felt great to finish it, lungs burning, legs exhausted, breath heavy.

I am grateful for the muscles on my shins, quads, calves and feet. They are screaming today, reminding me that they’ve been working hard.