Three weeks ago, I completed a 3.1 mile run. Now it's not whether I can finish the Shelburne Farms 5K hosted by Racevermont.com, it's how fast. Keep in mind (and my unnamed Shelburne running partner can attest to this) I am still slower than the trite tortoise. But with four more weeks to go, my hope is that I will be able to improve my aerobic conditioning and therefore compete at a somewhat faster pace on Oct. 3. Not that running faster than other women in my age group is important to me. It's not. Finishing the race is my priority. Barring any unforeseen injury, I realize it can be done.

At this point in the training process we are, in running lingo, doing aerobic conditioning. For the next four weeks we will run farther than our goal of 3.1 miles. For two weeks we will run 3.5 miles followed by two weeks of 4 miles. By pushing farther now we hope to gain endurance and that the end result, the 5K run, will somehow seem easier. If that's the case I'm going to love aerobic conditioning.

Last Friday I met my unnamed Shelburne running partner at the power plant on Harbor Road, known locally as the beginning of the Ti Haul Trail, for our first aerobic conditioning run. It was the last unbearably hot humid day of summer and I was thrilled with the flat, shaded, and well-marked trail. I also enjoyed its unique history. Built in Shelburne in 1906, the restored 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga is a National Historic Landmark and the last walking beam side-wheel passenger steamer in existence. The steamer operated as a day boat on Lake Champlain until 1953. Two years later, the Ticonderoga was moved two miles over land from the lake to the Shelburne Museum. And as any Shelburne resident should know the land used to transport the Ti is currently known as the Ti Haul Trail. Now that's a history lesson I'm proud to repeat.

On Sunday we, my unnamed Shelburne running partner and I, pushed ourselves to run four miles on the South Burlington track. The weather had cooled down immeasurably and it was almost a pleasure to run as compared to the humidity we experienced just two days prior.
This week we plan to incorporate Shelburne Farms into our aerobic conditioning. With help from a map off of Racevermont.com's website we want to familiarize ourselves with the 5K course prior to the race in early October.

You have no doubt realized that I haven't mentioned Danielle, our Shelburne News writer extraordinaire, who has been out of the running with an ankle injury. Although she attempted a come back a few weeks ago it looks as if she may be forced to take on a new role-running cheerleader! She will be a welcomed addition to the cheerleading team that currently includes my husband and my running partner's husband, who remain steadfast in their support of our running goals.

Come out to Shelburne Farms on Oct. 3. Your support on or off the path would also be a welcomed addition to the cheerleading squad.