Uncool Runnings

It was 100 degrees today when I started my run. I planned on a lot of walking, just like I did on Tuesday. And once again it worked. Fortunately it hasn't been humid like it normally is during the summer. Plus we had a slight breeze. I walked one time more than on Tuesday, on the hill approaching the traffic circle on the way back. All in all it was a good, slow run. I think I actually sweated more a couple of days ago, but that's because I pushed a little harder. It was another 4-miler and a fitting run for the end of August.

95

I guess you could say I'm as used to high temperatures as one can get. Today the thermometer read 95 degrees when I set out for my 4-mile run. As before, I planned ahead and took a bottle of solid ice, which mostly thawed during the run, and took a walk break every mile. I also kept my pace closer to 11 minutes than to 9. It worked wonderfully. Not that I didn't sweat. Not that at the end I was breathing hard. No, it was definitely a taxing run, even with all that, because of the heat. A month or so ago there's no way I would have run on a day like this. Now that I've done it several times it's manageable. I believe this is called acclimating to the weather. Lower temps would be nice, but I'm not going to complain. I'll save that for winter.

Rain!

Last night I was up late so I stayed in bed later than usual. Or maybe it's better described as staying in bed as long as I wanted. Then I had orchestra practice, which ended early. I decided to run right away when I got home since the day was overcast and rain was threatening. It actually did more than threaten - for one of the few times in the last six months it actually rained! Not enough to really even get the dirt wet, but enough to make me adapt a little bit. I took my iPod with me when I headed out but the sprinkles made me think it would be a good idea to ditch the music in case the rain picked up. I ran out a mile and then looped back through the neighborhood to drop off the iPod and my sunglasses. That turned out to be a good decision as I actually got to hear the raindrops on the road, on the leaves of trees, and even sizzling on the overhead power lines on my way back. It was a great experience, one where I was almost in that runner's high. In fact, I might have been for the last two miles or so. I went 6 miles total and even though I was rained on it was worth every drop.

Missed a Post

I didn't run last week while on vacation, shame on me, but I did run Tuesday and forgot to post about it. I would say the day was summer-like, but since it's actually summer I don't need to say it. The temperature was about 90 degrees and I took my bottle of water with me. I kept it slow and went two miles before turning around. I walked a little up the hill by the golf course and then again up another hill a half mile later. Once I got to the crosswalks I walked again. When I finally reached the neighborhood I walked the last quarter mile. All in all I went about four miles but probably ran about 3.5. It wasn't too bad for my first day running in a week, and in hot weather at that, but the heat definitely did me in by the end.

Today the weather was about the same with a little bit more of a southwesterly breeze. When I turned on the Garmin it told me it had a low battery. I plugged it into the computer, instantly causing a dreaded BSOD, which is a lot less common than it used to be. Apparently there's a conflict with the Garmin driver and Win 7. Won't do that again. Especially when The Wife is reading email. Anyway, today I determined to run a mile and then walk a short distance, which turned out to be three light poles. It worked out pretty well since today's run went a lot better than on Tuesday. I actually ran up a couple of hills I've been walking and count this as a 4-mile run. It's supposed to rain on Saturday but I won't believe it until I see it.

Two in a Row

When was the last time I ran two days in a row? I'm too lazy to go back and look. Today I went 6 miles and had a good run, although at times I felt kind of tight. In fact, a couple of times I felt like an old man running. What the heck?

The last two days I've worn my RoadID all day on my right wrist to keep from bending it. I seriously thought about going to the doctor, but my self-diagnosis and treatment seems to have worked. Tonight it feels about as normal as possible. I decided that if I went to a doctor all he would do is give me a brace to immobilize it for several days. Seems like I was right.

Monday Running

Today was too nice to not run. Plus I've been nursing my right wrist, which I think I sprained last week. The sad thing is that I'm not sure how I did so. Nevertheless it's put me in a spot where I can't do my usual weights. With that in mind and combined with the weather it seemed like running was the right thing to do. I think this was probably the coolest weather I've run in outside in months, with a temp around 74 degrees. I ran 5 miles right at a 10 minute/mile pace. Today I also transferred to another section at work, which brought some added stress. I worked in this area for 3.5 years and as I was running today it came to me that the reason I probably ran so much during that time was as a stress release. Seems like I'm picking right back up where I left off.

Six Plus One

The heat's broken for a few days. This morning it was sunny but the temperature had not yet risen to today's high of 84. I thought about running eight miles or so, but my youngest wanted to run some, too, so I went out for 6 miles and came home to get her to run another mile with me.

She's inspired by the Olympics, no doubt, but this is also the girl who beat all her older siblings and cousins in the Turkey Trot 5k in 2009. Last week at church they announced a 5k at the beginning of October, and she's interested in running that one. It's cool to see her so interested in running at such a young age, and it's up to me to keep her interest level in it. She needs bigger shoes and said at the end of the run that she's not running again until she gets new shoes. I don't blame her. She ran the whole mile without stopping. Once we get those new shoes we can spend the next couple of months building up 3.1 miles.

I saw several people running this morning with their dogs and was a little bit jealous. But then I got to run with my youngest daughter, which was way better.

Out There

Today the temperature seemed reasonable enough to run outside. The wind was blowing and a few scattered clouds made it bearable. Even with temperatures in the mid-80's it was still hot. I made it 4 miles at a pretty slow pace, but it was still better than running inside.

And what is it with drivers not stopping for pedestrians who are ready to cross the street in a marked crosswalk? Is it because they're in a traffic circle and therefore the drivers feel like they don't have to stop? I had another one today who was in the circle and of course I couldn't tell if they were going to stay in the circle or come my way, so I stopped. I don't trust people, especially people I don't know. As usual, it's a good thing I stopped because the guy accelerated out of the circle with no hesitation and no regard for the pedestrian (me). If I didn't think I'd get maimed I'd start running out into the street to make them slam on their brakes. Once in a while I come across a person who slows and stops so I can cross. The only explanation I can find for such drivers is that they must be fellow runners.

Back Inside Part III

I had that blah feeling this afternoon and seriously considered not running. But I didn't something yesterday that I don't normally do - I weighed myself. With all of this inconsistent running it seems I've put on 7-8 pounds, which is not surprising since my pants have been a little...tighter around the waist lately. That thought spurred me to jump on the treadmill (it was 104 this afternoon - not conducive to an outdoors run) and run 5 miles.

I don't run to control my weight, but I will admit it's a nice byproduct. It's been well over a year since my last race and I can tell in my general fitness level. This weekend I put together a training plan for the KC Half Marathon in October. If I can get in the training during the heat of summer I think I can run the race. Maybe not my fastest ever, but at least it'll get me back in the game. Time to kick it up a notch.

Update: After I published this I realized this is the third time I've titled a post "Back Inside." Sometimes my unoriginality can be inspiring.

Outside

This week I was in Philadelphia again, with no way to post after my runs. For some reason I haven't been able to creates posts on my iPad.

I ran twice at Neshaminy State Park. Both days were extremely hot and extremely humid. At least the running trail offers plenty of shade. On Tuesday I ran counter-clockwise and went a total of 4.25 miles. I wanted to get to an even four and ran up the middle of the park by the pool and around the picnic area. That added a little more distance then I'd originally wanted, but a quarter mile wasn't too bad. I was just happy to be running outside again.

On Thursday I changed it up and ran clockwise, which was nice because I had a better view of the river and the Philadelphia skyline. It was a hotter day, or so it seemed, and by the time I'd run two circuits of the park I had no interest in trying to get to a round number. I ended up at 3.75 miles.

Both days my mileage wasn't as much as I'd intended, but I return to my philosophy of effort versus mileage. With the heat and humidity my level of effort was at least as much as a 6-mile run on a spring day. And I certainly sweated more.

Today was going to be a treadmill day. I woke up briefly about 6 a.m. and thought about going for a run then, but sleeping longer won the argument. A few hours later I drove to the store to get some milk and saw a ton of people walking and running because of the thick cloud cover. The temperature was 85 degrees, but the clouds and a little bit of breeze made it seem cooler. I took my water bottle, which turned out to be a good move. I kept the pace slow and easy and went 6 miles. The only time I walked was coming up the hill by the golf course. I definitely needed to slow for a walk since I could feel my heart beating way too fast. I'll be interested to see how the heart monitor recorded that stage of the run.

For at least a week I was able to run outside. That was a nice treat.