Last Run of 2015

The FVRP and I ran hills today in a wind that seemed to shift to blow out of whatever direction we ran. He felt good, and I felt decent, and all in all it was a good way to end the year. We ran 6 miles, most of it up and down Stonebridge to 380. We ran past a kid whose car was crashed into the median apparently less than a couple of minutes before we got there. By the time we ran by again the police had arrived and were talking to the driver of the car that must have hit him.

Reviewing the whole year, it's pretty apparent my running was sporadic, but I still kept at it even in the midst of the preparing our KC house to sell and moving to Texas. I'm glad to be here and still running, and I'm looking forward to regaining some consistency in 2016. That starts with the Bataan Memorial race in March, and maybe something later in the spring and certainly a race in the fall. Goodbye 2015 - unlike my running pace, you went by fast.

Speeding Up Slowly

Ran by myself today at lunch, in the coldness of North Texas. And that is much better than the coldness of KC. The temperature was in the mid-30s and brings to mind how many times I ran when the coldness dipped into the teens. So I can't complain, and I won't.

I ran 6 miles and it was the first speed workout on the plan. Now that I'm done with it, speedwork at this point is probably too early. I did three miles at a tempo pace, which for me right now is nine-minute miles. I did okay for the first mile, and then walked at the 1.5-mile mark, and then again at 2.5, and finally walked up the big hill. My legs felt heavy by the time I reached that hill. I was happy that I kept up that pace when actually running, especially since I don't have a watch and just go by what the Nike app lady says. I might actually have to get a cheap watch or a new Garmin.

Post-Christmas Run

It was a run for the day after Christmas, the overstuffing of ourselves yesterday made a lot more difficult with 85% humidity. As I remarked on the run, humidity is my running kryptonite. We walked at least five times, but in the end we made it through our 7 miles. We ran a route along the Craig Ranch golf course and north past Stacy. I would count it as a so-so run that counts as an accomplishment that we made it.

Jingle Bell Run

Made it out on Christmas Eve today for a 6-miler with the FVRP. We ran my normal route and he complained about the distance but did fine with the exception of a couple of walks. The weather was great once again, with enough breeze to cool us off somewhat from the temperature in the upper 50s. I felt pretty good and my right knee seems to be doing better.

For the family, our Christmas Eve tradition of making tamales remains intact. And man, were they good. So glad to have leftovers.

Now I have to go to bed so Santa will come.

Onward and Upward

Last week's progression was 4-5-6, and this week we're going for 5-6-7. Today's 5-miler went pretty well, although the FVRP complained about the "heat." Yeah, it was all of 70 degrees today, and it was pretty darn nice. Another beautiful Texas day with mostly blue skies and a few high clouds.

At the moment I still have some runner's knee, but it's not as bad as I've experienced in the past. I'm hoping the problem is because of the different shoes I keep wearing, but I probably also need to get a new pair of running shoes. Pretty sure I'll need them before the training cycle is through.

New Route

Rather than run the normal route for 6 miles, today we went over to the dog park and started from there. Normally the dog park is the turnaround point. I figured it was time to do a little exploring and the route was pretty nice, through some woods, past soccer fields, under the highway, and around Towne Lake. The temperature was cool, around 40 degrees or so with a slight breeze, but the sun was shining and it was really a good day for running.

The last tenth of a mile we kicked it in for a sprint to the finish. Hadn't run fast in a while and that was kind of fun. That was a 15-mile week. Not great, but it's a build-up to the beginning of the training plan, which starts...tomorrow. With a rest day. Now that's my kind of training plan.

Frosty Morning

Once again I went over to the FVRP's homestead and we ran 5 miles together. The temperature was in the upper 30s and plenty of frost had settled on the grass in the neighborhood. The FVRP mocked me briefly for wearing shorts and long-sleeved t, telling me I was going to freeze. About two miles into the run he had to shed some layers and wasn't mocking me any more. Of all that I was glad to be wearing mittens and a stocking cap. If I hadn't brought those along I certainly would have resembled a popsicle a lot more closely.

Late DayRun

The FVRP and I ran after work on Tuesday, a nice 4-miler around his neighborhood. It's part of the loop he used to run when doing his first marathons. The loop took him by his house so he could refuel, bail out if he was a wuss, and generally get dizzy running in circles. It was interesting to see the various parts of the neighborhood - the "smaller" homes from the first phase compared to the huge homes that were built later. It was a beautiful mid-December day. Ah, it's nice to be in Texas.

At The Boy's karate last night one of the adults in his class asked  me when I was going to join. I laughed and said that wasn't going to happen since I don't need to injure myself when I'm training. The other fact is that The Boy won't run with me, so I'm not going to do karate with him. Seriously, though, I've been doing this long enough to know that bringing in different movements is going to likely mess up my knees, hips, or something else. I know I need to do something different to take care of problems like my cramping calf muscles, but I don't think karate is the answer.

Texas in Mid-December

Today was gray but not cool, and plenty humid. Rain is supposed to be on the way but this morning when I ran with the FVRP it was just a little on the humid side. We ran 6 miles through the Craig Ranch area. The breeze was up quite nicely, which helped a little with the humidity but also made it a challenge at times. We walked a few times as we gear up for the beginning of the training plan. Once again, I can't complain about the weather here in Texas. This is nice, especially for this time of year.

Midday Run

The FVRP came over early this afternoon and we ran 4 miles together. For almost mid-December it was a gorgeous day. Heck, it was a beautiful day for any time of the year. Low 70s and sunny, with just a little breeze from the south. It almost seemed hot at this time of year, but no complaints here. We realized that if we want to run at White Sands in March then it's only a little over three months away and we need to get our butts in gear. That means getting back into the groove and running regularly. Today was the first step to New Mexico.

Sister Run

First Sister was in town this weekend, and we were able to run together yesterday. She's training for a 10k, and of all things a half-marathon. She can hardly believe she's going to run that far, but it's cool to hear how much she's enjoying running. With knee problems behind her she's in it for the long haul. I'm still getting over my head cold and stuffiness, and she asked a couple of times early on if I was all right since I had a bunch of phlegm in my throat. We made it 4 miles, with a couple of walks. It was fun to run with her and hopefully we can do it again in the near future. It's especially cool to run with someone who never thought they would be a runner, and experience the joy of it through their eyes.

Through the Debris

Wish I'd had time to run while I was in Austin this week, but our office and hotel were both out on the northwest side of the city. Yesterday (Saturday) I felt like crap - stuffy head, stuffy nose, sore throat, all a result of something I probably picked up in Austin or on the plane. I thought going for a run would be a good opportunity to...expectorate. Yes, I've done this before where my discomfiture was above the neck line and it was a good idea to get out and clear the system.

It went well for the first half, although I walked at 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and up the hill. Not the best of runs, but I'm glad I did the whole 6 miles.

A lot of the debris from earlier in the week was gone from the paths, with traces left behind from the bobcat or whatever they used to clear the mud and twigs and stuff. In a few spots there was still a layer of dirt, but at least by this time it's dried. It's amazing how high the water rose.

Flooded Paths

We got a lot of rain this past holiday weekend, and in fact when I drove around on Saturday morning a number of parks were flooded. The path where I normally run was under a lot of water by the bridge on Hardin. In several places the water was rushing through quite fast. The "crossroads" on the path south of Virginia Parkway was totally under water, as were the soccer fields adjacent to the path a little further down. Today I went exploring, thinking since it's been a few days the water should be gone for the most part. It was, but it left behind a lot of mud and debris. I expected I wouldn't get my full run in, and in fact was lucky to make it to 4.5 total. In several spots I had to walk in order to keep from slipping in the thick mud, and veered off the path a few times to avoid the muddy sidewalk. When I came back across the bridge I tried the other spur of the path, which was actually a little bit worse. I'm hoping by the time I get back in town it's cleared off, and it helps there's no more rain in the forecast.

Solo Turkey Trot

The local turkey trots were too expensive this year, and so I went on my own this morning. I was waffling on whether or not to go for a run, but when I stepped outside and the temperature was in the 60s I knew I couldn't pass up a day like this. Since it's a holiday I also figured the traffic wouldn't be too bad and so I tried a different route. Rather than running on the trail toward the dog park I stuck to the surface streets, and I was right - the traffic coming out of the side streets was minimal.

I ran south on Lake Forest, west on Eldorado, north on Ridge, and then east on Virginia back to the neighborhood. The wind came out of the southeast and actually felt good since the humidity is up a little. It was a nice exploratory outing that ended up about 6.2 miles. I cut corners on both ends of Ridge, which probably would have made it just a tiny bit longer. I also walked about a minute on Virginia. All in all it was a nice outing and I'm glad I got off my butt to do it.

Tuesday Afternoon

I intended to get up early and run before work. Even laid out my long pants and long-sleeved shirt since the temperature was supposed to be in the 40s. Unfortunately my laziness took over once again and I reset the alarm clock. The good news is that it worked out fine because this afternoon I had time to run before the sun went down. The day was overcast and a little breezy, but otherwise fine since the temp was in the low 60s. I ran my usual 6 miles and it went well. Not too many people out, surprisingly, but since school is out for the week maybe they're all getting their exercise done earlier in the day.

The Wind in Texas

The FVRP came over this morning and we ran 6 miles in a blustery wind. It reminded us of the Big D Marathon several years ago when we endured similar temperatures (in the 40s) and high winds. That was not one of our favorites, btw. This time we took it quite slow, and especially for the FVRP since it was his first six-miler in quite awhile. Overall we felt good, and it was nice to have the wind at our backs up the big hill on Lake Forest. I need to keep up the running as holiday season approaches. And beyond.

Better Run

Today I was going to run at lunch again for the second day in a row, but a series of late-scheduled calls postponed my outing until late afternoon. That was fine because it was a beautiful day, sunny and 65 degrees. It was breezy but not too bad. Today's run went much better than yesterday. My Nike app is behaving oddly and not playing music when I start, so I just went with it and went with silence for the first half, thinking music would motivate me during the latter part of the run. I was right. When the music kicked in at after mile three it helped get me through the doldrums, such as they were. Not sure if running 6 miles two days in a row was the best idea, but at least it was a good run.

Lunch Run

The past couple of days have been rather wet, but that's all pushed off the east now and the sky is blue. However, it was quite chilly this morning, and I decided to wait until midday for my run. I went 6 miles and let's just say it wasn't my best run ever. I walked three times, one of which was up the big hill on Lake Forest, but I went an extra .13 miles so I think I made up for it a little bit. Nevertheless, my legs felt sluggish and for whatever reason I didn't feel 100%. I'm planning on running again tomorrow, my normally scheduled day, and I think it will be lunch or later again.

Yesterday

Ran 6 miles on Saturday, along with the FVRP who ran 5. It was nice, overcast but with a great temperature for running. Plenty of people out by the time we hit the trail at 9:30 or so. I still need to rein in the diet and get my weight down.

Another Interlude

My running pattern seems to be full of gaps since moving to Texas, but hopefully this is the last one for a while. This time it was definitely planned. Spent the weekend on a guys' getaway in SE Oklahoma and had a great time. I could have run on Tuesday after returning home Monday, but decided I needed sleep more than exercise. And I was right since I slept nine hours Monday night.

I set out today with fresh legs into sunshine and mild temperatures. And by set out, I mean I set out too fast. I knew it and kept trying to rein it in, but it took until the fourth mile to get my pace under control. The first mile was 9:20, and then I went 9:38, 9:29 (still too fast), and finally 9:51, 9:54, and 10:07. I much prefer negative splits, but in this case I'm happy with getting slower. It really was a gorgeous day, though, and I didn't feel horrible at the end. I suppose that's something.

Light Again

Thanks to our idiot government overlords we had a time change again this weekend, which had the effect of making the day lighter when I go out for a morning run. I left at 6:15 and it was almost light. Of course that won't last long, and I don't like the early evening darkness. For 6 miles this morning it was okay, though. The run felt fine and a decent number of people were out enjoying the mild weather. Good for them, and good for me.

Buddy Run

The Formerly Virtual Running Partner (FVRP) came over this morning at 10 and we went 6 miles on an overcast Saturday. He went 5 or so, with some bits of walking thrown in as he's building his back up. It was quite humid because of the rain the past few days.

Apparently there was a race somewhere along the route because we saw a couple of groups of girls monitoring, and on our way back one group was packing up and gave us their last two bottles of water.

We also passed a group of 7-8 women running with a tall guy, and as we passed they saw the FVRP's shirt, which was a tech t from last year's marathon in Tulsa. They told us that's what they're training for and this was their last long run. I didn't tell them about how I had a great 20 miles at that race - no use bringing them down. I wished them a good time in Tulsa when I passed by again on the way back from the turnaround.

This was also my first time using the arm strap for my iPhone. Not sure how I like it yet. It didn't irritate me in any way, but it did mist up a little inside due to the humidity and a slight bit of mist during part of the run. Also, The Wife called about 1.5 miles into the run and I wasn't sure if it had paused my run because the music stopped playing. It was a little awkward fumbling with the phone to get the run going again. It was probably because I had the phone locked. I'm sure it would have been just as much of a pain taking the phone out of my waist holder. I went to the arm strap because the belt holds my shorts in place and seems to cause chafing I didn't experience before, even with Body Glide. Hopefully next time is a little better. I certainly don't expect a call at 7 a.m. on my next run.

Lunch Run

I planned to skip the early morning run today and go out at midday since my schedule worked out favorably. The Formerly Virtual Running Partner wanted to go out to lunch, so I said let's run and then go out. And we did. He's still recovering from plantar and some shin issues, so we ran 3 miles and called it good. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, sun shining and pleasant temperatures. If Texas was like this all year you wouldn't have enough room for all the people who would live here.

Dark Run

I ran yesterday morning, the usual 6 miles, but forgot to post about it. Since I went out at 6:15 a.m. it was pretty dark, other than the illumination from the full moon. It was nice and peaceful. By the time I finished it was still dark, but had lightened just enough so I could stop using my hand-light (it's not a head light any more). BTW, that thing has been useful - I used it for grilling brats and sausages last night at about 7:30, which was again in the dark.

Back to the run - it was nice and I felt good afterward. I should have gone running on Saturday. We had rain in the area but it wasn't thundering and there were enough gaps where I could have gone. Instead I spent most of the day cleaning out the garage. Then on Sunday we went geocaching, which was our first experience with that activity. I stepped on the scale this morning, which I rarely do, and I'm up to almost 170. That's a clear sign I need to stop being lazy and get back to running and exercising regularly.

Before the Rain

Rain is forecast for the next four days or so, which was enough to motivate me out the door this morning. Without that push I might not have made it. I'm hoping the time change in another week will help, but this is the first time I've ever run regularly in the mornings, and it's been tough. I hope I can keep it going all winter long.

This morning I ran my usual 6 miles. From the start I noted it was more humid as the storm front pushes in from the west. For the most part I kept my speed reined in so as not to poop out later in the run. I ran a couple of intervals at miles 2.5 and 3.5, and I started the last at 4.5 but ended up slowing down. Still, that mile was only seven seconds slower than the previous one. I walked up the big hill on Lake Forest, but overall I feel pretty good about the outing. We'll see how it goes on Saturday and whether or not I can get out for a nice enjoyable run in the rain.

Lazy

The past week was not a good one for my exercise habits. I'd like to blame it on getting ready for Mom's birthday party and other factors, but the truth is that as the sun rises later each morning I'm having trouble getting myself out of bed. In summer there's plenty of motivation to get up and out before the day gets hot, but not so much on the mornings where it's still dark and getting cooler. At least this morning I broke the string and made it for a 6-miler. It was a decent run, not my fastest, and I kept away from speedwork this time. Here's to getting back in the groove.

More Speeding

This morning I thought I was going to have to turn around before I even made it one mile. On Sunday afternoon I played ball and frisbee with the kids. The baseball was mainly playing catch, and then throwing some BP to The Boy with a moderate amount of fielding. Apparently those movements, at my age, can wreak havoc on knees. I felt it a little yesterday when I did my leg exercises, and again today when it felt like my whole left side, knee and hip, was out of whack. I walked for a few steps, then picked it back up again. A few minutes later I felt the same thing, and this time I sped up a little. It seems when your body takes over with muscle memory that you stop thinking so much about the details - and it worked.

The rest of the 6 miles went according to plan, except when I dropped my head lamp at the turnaround and the batteries popped out. Nevertheless I was able to get it put back together and made it home with speedups at 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5. Once I got past the initial issues it was a fine run. Almost too cool, and I wondered why I hadn't put on a long-sleeved shirt before I left. No need, though, since it warmed up by the time I was finished.

Five Good Miles. Too Bad I Went Eight

I knew as I was running that my pace was a little too fast, and I kept trying to rein it in. Through five miles I was at about 9:15/mile. I wasn't sucking wind or anything, but it was enough to make me walk a little bit at 5 1/2 miles, and again at 6 1/2, and finally up the big hill on Lake Forest. At least the first part was good. It's a beautiful day, with moderate temperatures and the trace of a breeze. And lots of sun. Plenty of people were out enjoying the morning, and I can't say I blame them. I wish it could be this nice all fall and winter.

Another Good One

Today I kicked up the speed for a tempo run, from miles 2 to 5. According to the Nike app my fastest portion was miles 4-5 at an 8:50 pace. The overall pace was 9:37, which is not bad considering three of those miles were at a comfortable pace. With the lower temperatures I suppose I can get back to some faster running. It was a little humid today, but not horrible. Also, last night was the first night I can remember in a long time where I slept straight through until the alarm clock rang. Usually I'll wake up at some point, whether briefly or for an extended period. When this happens I have to make sure I note it - it's rare.

More Speed

I ended up not running in San Antonio. We were in a pretty industrial part of the city and there wasn't any place close by to run. I did get in a lot of walking though, around Lackland and in downtown San Antonio. So much walking on the base that I don't think I missed out on much by not running.

Yesterday was back to normal. I was going to run Monday morning but ended up awake during the night for a couple of hours, so I cancelled the alarm. Tuesday was better, and the temperature was almost perfect, in the mid-50s. It was great! I did the same workout as last week with three intervals, and recorded my fastest mile yet, according to the Nike app. It was something like 8:42/mile, which is kind of sad and funny at the same time. Sad because I've run much faster than that in the past, and funny because I only ran fast during half of that mile. Guess that leaves room for improvement.

Speeding Up

I skipped Tuesday morning's run since we're going to be out of town for a few days and I decided it was better to run on Wednesday. That way in case I don't get out while in San Antonio the gap between runs will be a day less. I also decided that putting in some speedwork would be a good thing. To that end during today's 6-miler I threw in some uptempo intervals at the 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 marks, for a half-mile each time. My fastest mile was the last of those, at an 8:57 pace. That means I must have been around 8 minutes for the interval portion since the other half of that mile was probably in the high 9's.

As usual, it was nice to stretch it out after such a long time without any speed. We'll see if I can sneak away for a run this weekend.

Post-Super Blood Moon

Last night we had some high clouds, and our view of the Super Blood Moon was not very clear. We could see enough to tell the eclipse was occurring, and caught a hint of red, but it was all blurry. Guess we'll have to wait another 18 years to see it in focus.

This morning I ran 4 miles, listening to the first Hootie and the Blowfish album. That brought back some memories. I often criticize the 90s for being such a crappy decade for music, but at least there was one good album that came out of that decade. Since I was running a short distance I slept a half-hour later than normal and left the house at 6:45 a.m. It was light enough by then and I didn't have to use my light. Tomorrow we will return to our normally scheduled time.

Lovely Saturday Not Racing

As soon as I headed out this morning I noticed a lot of traffic flooding into the high school parking lot across from our neighborhood. What is this? I thought to myself. Turns out it was a race. And not just any race, but a race where the route went completely along my normal route. I decided quickly that it wasn't about to start and I could get way out in front of any speedsters and then take an alternate route home.

Well, by the time I was on the "back" part of the "out and back" I still didn't see any runners, which seemed strange. I started running about 7:40 a.m. and thought for sure I would run into a sea of humanity. The longer it went on the more I wondered about the start time. The people at all the water stations seemed relaxed, so I kept going. It was about 1.5 miles from home that I encountered the first wave, which turned out to be a hundred people or so strung out along the trail. I kept out of their way, even receiving a clap/cheer from one guy who apparently thought I was leading the race and already heading back toward the finish line. I guess they started around 8:45. I was surprised since I thought there'd be more runners. Apparently those were the 10k participants, as I was about to find out.

Once I'd reached Lake Forest and crossed the street I heard starting horns from the school parking lot. I stopped to watch. A large crowd poured out onto the sidewalk, complete with kids, walkers, and running strollers. Those were apparently the 5k participants, and there were several hundred of them. It was nice to see such a large group.

As far as my run, I went 8 miles on a really nice morning. The temperature was around 70, sunny, and just plain nice. Humidity was up slightly but not as bad as last month. All in all it was a good morning with the highlights of seeing a lot of other people out running and having a good time.

Getting Back to It

Last Saturday I didn't run, mainly because of sheer laziness. It also rained, but as it turned out it would have been a great storm in which to run, not too heavy and no lightning. The Wife and I went to the flea market and did some shopping, plus I had other things to do when arriving home, and I just sloughed off the whole running bit.

Monday morning I ran 4 miles, and felt great. It was one of my better runs lately - fresh legs, good temperature, and great attitude.

Which didn't transfer over to Tuesday. I woke up a few times in the early morning hours and decided it was better to sleep an extra 90 minutes that it was to exercise.

Ditto Wednesday, which was actually more laziness (see Saturday) than bad sleep.

Today, however, I sprang out of bed (overdramatic interpretation) and hit the streets as planned. The run was another good one. The temperatures at this time of year are hovering around 70 degrees before the sun comes up, but the most noticeable change is the decreased humidity. That makes a TON of difference in how the run progresses. My average pace is getting better, and I'm even thinking about throwing in some speedwork next week.

Morning Outing

Back to morning running with another 6-mile jaunt. I knew it was going to be humid and wasn't disappointed. Instead of running with my headlamp on my actual head, I carried it in my hand. That seemed to work better, since once it lightened up enough I clipped it over my belt. I ran through several swarms of gnats or some small black bugs, and came home to find a number of dead ones engulfed in  my arm sweat. In spite of that it was a decent run, albeit slow. The overall pace was about 10:50/mile, but I ran it all and didn't walk. I traded speed for endurance, I suppose. Fair enough for today.

Texas Afternoon

After yesterday's debacle of a drive home from KC, I decided it would be best to not run this morning. I just knew that it wouldn't go well and that I needed sleep more than I needed to exercise. The 8 1/2 hour trip took 12 hours due to issues with our vehicle, and 3/4ths of that was stressed-out driving. I was going to run tomorrow morning and then Thursday as well, but today the temperature wasn't too bad because of all the cloud cover. Which means, of course, that when I headed out the door the sun started shining.

I went 6 miles and, due to the heat being in the high 90s along with the sun and humidity, walked every half-mile once I got to the two-mile mark. That worked out just fine and I was able to complete the outing without incident. My calves felt tight but I attribute that to yesterday's stress more than anything else. Now I can get back on schedule for morning runs.

Eight in Smithville

Today was one of those elusive perfect days. Absolutely gorgeous. 70 degrees and sunny, without wind, on our weekend visit to KC. This  morning I went for a run at Smithville Lake. I've run part of this path before, but this time I started from the other end. I went 8 miles and felt good the whole way. The setting was beautiful and I couldn't have asked for a better day to run.

Throwback Thursday

Since we're in Kansas City for a few days I ran my old route, all 6 miles of it. I planned on running in the morning but after our trip yesterday (transmission problems with the van, visit to urgen care for The Wife), the comedy of errors gave me an excuse to sleep a little longer. The temperature was 88 degrees when I started out at 5 p.m. with lots of nice sunshine. I thought several times about walking but since this will probably be my last time to ever run this route I wanted it to be without stopping for a walk. I kept the pace purposefully slow and it paid off. Since I"m using the Nike running app on my iPhone now I was interested in how the GPS would work compared to the Garmin I used to use. It turned out pretty close, telling me my run was over about a block early. That could be because I crossed Shoal Creek to run in the shade, though, so no complaints. For my purposes it's close enough. And for one final time it was nice to run a familiar route. Wonder how many times I actually ran that same route over the years? A few hundred? Since I've logged more than a thousand runs on this unread blog I'm guessing at least three hundred, and if you add in longer runs that included it as part of a longer route the number probably goes up by another hundred.

When I was done running I walked back to the sidewalk on 96th Street and took pictures of my footprints in the concrete. When they first poured that section I was running east on 96th and tried to stay on the road but had to jump onto the not-quite-dry sidewalk to avoid getting run over. My Asics left faint prints behind and I've been meaning to take a picture of the evidence. Today I finally got it.

Headlight

Today was my first day using the head torch (I like that better than head lamp, sounds more dangerous). I found a couple of interesting things about it. First, it was a pain to carry four miles when the light outside was enough for me to take it off after two. Second, when you run through swarms of bugs with a head torch those bugs dive bomb the light, often missing and getting into your eyes. Finally, it probably looked pretty dorky but I don't care because it worked just fine.

All that said, my outing was not a good one, but this was the last day of really high temperatures for the season. I don't know about the humidity in the near future, but today it was way high. I ran the first four and then walked twice the rest of the way. No apologies since it was rough out there. When I took off my technical t-shirt it probably held a half-gallon of sweat. The forecast looks like summer is done. I don't mind the heat, but for running purposes it will be nice if the humidity dries up a little.

Humidity Wins

Went over to the (formerly Virtual) Running Partner's place to go for a Saturday morning run. We headed out a 7 a.m. but that didn't help much against the high humidity. I was going to run at least 6 but ended up with 5. It was one of those days where the extra mile wouldn't have made any difference unless it was in a negative way.

Yesterday I downloaded the Nike app onto my phone so I can track mileage and we'll see if that works in place of a dedicated GPS device. I also need something to help with pace and again, the jury is out on whether or not this is the way to go. More study needed.

Awesome Run

Today was the best run I've had in ages. I went 6 miles, no walking, and felt great at the end. Maybe it was the new shirt I wore. Either way, this was the run I've been working toward. I wore a blinking red light since I was out before sunrise, and the headlamp I ordered should be in by tomorrow so I can start using that next week.

I ran the usual path, and when I reached the turnaround point a guy was coming my way. About a third of a mile later he passed me, and I kept up with his pace for the next ten minutes or so. Saw a few other people out, some of whom I recognize as "regulars" at that time of the morning. The temperature was normal, in the mid-70s, and the humidity was just as bad as it usually is. Regardless, I had a great outing and wish every run felt this good.

Back to Normal

Made it back to 6 miles on a weekday run yesterday. I plan on keeping this going so that returns to my normal outings. I started out a little earlier to get it in before going to work, and I found I was running in the dark. That didn't decrease the humidity any, but it did make for a little bit of startlement when a cat jumped away from me when I was only a couple of steps away on the sidewalk. Since it's not going to get better for about the next six months or so, I ordered a headlamp (or torch, in the UK) today. It might not be the coolest thing to wear, but it'll be dark. And as I run through the park it'll be nice to see where I'm going.

I woke up a couple of times Monday night/Tuesday morning with a twinge in my right calf. I thought it might limit my distance, but after the first half-mile it didn't bother me at all. I felt it again this morning, though, so in my usual unfashionable way I'm wearing a compression sleeve on that calf today. Plus my plantar sock on my left foot. Feels like I'm turning into an old man, or at least dressing like one.

Another Monday

It was about 77 degrees this morning with the usual ration of humidity. I ran 4 miles along the usual route. The school zone seems to have calmed down since the happenings of last week. By the time I headed back, almost 7:30, the traffic was almost all but done. It's funny that I already recognize several people who are regulars along the path, but it's also surprising that there aren't more people out every morning. I suppose that says something about society in general, but let's not go there today. I don't have the stomach for it.

Saturday Outing

I ran 2 miles on Saturday morning with the girls, and then another 4 miles on my own. The first part went fine, even though Daughter #3 had to walk a couple of times due to stomach pains. We tried a new route, taking the street out of the neighborhood and running by the pool, and then west on Virginia Parkway and back. It's funny how you never notice hills when you're driving, but when you're running they become more pronounced and obvious. They weren't bad but did have an effect. At least it was downhill coming back into the neighborhood.

For the second half I ran the usual route on the concrete path. The first part went well, but after the turnaround I had to walk a few times. The humidity and lack of sleep the night before finally got to me. I also walked up the big hill on Lake Forest. Not a great outing, but at least I got back to the 6-mile threshold. This week I'll keep pushing forward.

Distance

Since I no longer have a GPS I mapped out this morning's run last night. I thought I knew about where to turn around, but maybe not so much. When I got to work this morning (yes, I had to go in the office) I mapped it again and found I ran 5.42 miles instead of just 5. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't really my plan to go 4-5.42-6 this week. I suppose if I cut a run short without too much of an effect, this is probably the same. I felt good the whole way. No harm done, right?

Longer Nights

The nighttime is lasting longer and the sun is raising later as we shuffle toward Autumn. I'm not complaining but I probably need to get some better reflective clothing. I ran 4 miles this morning, and it was another good run. This time I hitched up the iPod and listened to a podcast, with more to come over the next several outings. They're a good distraction. It's a good start to a day where I have to be in the office. Traffic was stupid busy on 121 and on the surface streets. Not looking forward to going back in on Thursday.

Back to School

I ran 3 miles this morning and discovered the insanity that is the school zone in our neighborhood. Not sure if it's because we're at the start of the school year and everyone is learning how things work or if it's like this all year long. Either way, the only effect on me was to run down the sidewalk a little more before crossing the street. The effect on the couple of people I saw stopped for speeding will probably be a little more. I've seen plenty of people speeding through school zones in the past, but come on, right at the beginning of school? Use your brains, people. Personally I don't think it's ever appropriate, but certainly anybody with a little common sense should know the police are going to be all over it when school starts. Oh, well. At least I had a good run and felt like I could have gone a lot more.

Sister and Wamego

My Friday outing was with my sister in Wamego, Kansas, which is the first time I ever remember running with her. She maintained she would be running slow. And we did. The (formerly Virtual) Running Partner was with us as well, and we paced about 11 minutes per mile over 3 miles. That was fine with me. The route took us past the Caterpillar location there and in a loop through a park. It was a nice, cool morning, perfect for running. Later in the day we celebrated my parents' 50th anniversary. I joked that our run meant we could "eat and drink whatever we wanted." Not quite.

Spa Running

When I exited the house this morning the humidity was dense. The sun wasn't up yet and the temperature was down because of clouds, but the moisture in the air was certainly noticeable. I took yesterday off due to travel this week and trying to space out my runs, and that helped me complete the 4 miles without walking, even up the big hill. I encountered high schoolers heading back from their morning cross-country run, and I mused briefly that not only was I running against the tide of kids but also against the tide of youth. That was as philosophical as I dared to venture.

As mentioned last time, I put heel inserts into my new shoes. That seemed to do the trick, although it made the midfoot tighter, especially on the right foot. My big toe on that foot also felt like it was in danger of getting pounded enough for a bruising. Next run is with one of my sisters in Kansas and I'll try the inserts again and see how it goes.

False Start

I ran 3 miles in the new shoes this morning, but it wasn't a good outing. It was a little cooler than it has been lately, but I just felt out of sorts. Within the first half-mile I felt a twinge on the left side of my left quad, and thought for a moment I would have to turn around and go home. It went away but still felt "there" for most of the run. My calves also tightened up big time, and it made me wonder if the problem all along with that issue has been my shoes. They haven't felt that bad the whole time I've been running with the Nimbus, but as soon as I put on the Cumulus they went bad. I'm thinking about using a shoe insert to elevate my heels in these new shoes to see how it goes.

New Route

This morning I went 5 miles and decided to head south on Lake Forest Drive. The nice thing is that the trip back had plenty of downslopes, and really they weren't that bad on the way out. The route is scenic enough, but too many side streets and too many cars. In the future I might stick with the trail since there's only one street to cross. That'll depend on how bad traffic is once school starts, though.

I also took a trip to the local running store at lunch. My most recent set of shoes are too narrow and pinch my feet about mid-foot on the outer edges. Plus I needed some anti-chafing stuff. The guy at the store said he likes 2Toms sport shield, and I figured I'd give it a try. They didn't have any shoes on sale, so I ended up with a new pair of Gel Cumulus in the wider variety. He also brought out a New Balance, which I tried on one foot, but I'm going to stick with what works. The new shoes were $120, and when I got home I checked them on Amazon. They were only three bucks cheaper there. At least I don't feel like I was ripped off.

Tuesday Morning Finisher

I was looking forward to Tuesday's run but it turned out to be kind of a not-so-good run. I ran 4 miles, but that included a little walking at the halfway point and back up the hill toward the neighborhood. I think the problem was that on Monday I ran, exercised, and then washed my truck (in the evening but still the temp was around 100). Those combined to wear me out a little more than normal. On Thursday my plan is to go for five and take a different route. Hoping it goes better.

Monday Morning Starter

Time to start a new week, a hot one if you believe the forecasts, with a run. I was out the door by 6:45 and ran a mostly easy 3 miles. On the way out I saw only one person, a lady with her dog. On the way back probably a half dozen. Some of the people are beginning to look familiar, like the lady with the big sunglasses or the guy with his three Huskies. The morning was nice and humid, as usual. I was glad to get it finished before the heat of the day descended.

Five for Running

This morning, a Saturday, I got up early and went over to the (formerly Virtual) Running Partner's house. We headed out to avoid the heat and weren't entirely successful, but still better than later in the morning. Our route took us 5 miles, the first time since moving that I've run that far. Felt good, and I should be able to continue adding miles. Afterward we went to Central Market in south Plano and enjoyed the Hatch green chile fest that was going on. I bought several green chile items, including bacon, which I'll be trying tomorrow. The rich harvest and month-long celebration might make August my favorite month.

Oops

Ran yesterday and thought about posting several times but never did. So yes, I ran 4 miles. Daughter #2 joined me and did the run-walk-run-walk-run thing. She probably got in 1.5 miles or so. Once again we went early before it heated up. Coming back I barely got ahead of a group of girl campers (or something) who were headed to the pond from up by the elementary school. Don't know if they were going fishing or what but fortunately I didn't have to wade through the crowd.

I've also done my barbell and leg exercises three times this week, so I've got that going for me. Which is nice.

Two in a Row

Ran both yesterday and today, with varying results. Yesterday was with Daughter #3 (#2 backed out because her ankle hurt). I ran 3 miles and she ran probably about half that. We ran to the trail in the neighborhood north of her, she started walking and I kept running, I turned around and so did she, and then I caught up to her where the trail intersected with the neighborhood sidewalk. Then we ran back with a little walk up the big hill. It was fun at the end when she started sprinting for the stopping point and we raced to the line. Looks like she's a little bit of her competitor like her dad.

This morning I ran 4 miles, and it was actually quite pleasant out, relatively speaking. The sky was cloudy and temperature in the low 70s. Lots of people out. On the trail a young shirtless guy went breezing past me, and then he passed me going the opposite way before my turnaround. When I came back out across the bridge he was off the path with hands on his knees, obviously pretty winded. I kept going and on Lake Forest he passed me again. Just a thought, dude - you might be going too fast and need to take it easier, no matter how young you are. In my plodding way I made it to my goal without walking. Just sayin'.

Boys Run

The (formerly Virtual) Running Partner came over early on Saturday and we ran 4 miles. It was a good start to a day that involved smoking three pork butts and three racks of ribs. Plus a game of penny can, which included three rounds in a row of someone draining all three (him twice, me once). It was epic. What a great day of running, food, music, and just general hanging out. As an added bonus one of the local markets got in a shipment of Hatch green chile and yes, I went crazy. They roast them out front of the store and it smelled like home.

Girls Run

Two of my girls ran with me this morning. It was their first run in Texas and the first step to getting them going. Even though they ran a 5k a few weeks back they were hitting the pavement for the first time in a while. I had them run about .8 miles, and then walk while I continue on to the end of the path and turned around, and then they ran back with me the rest of the way, walking up the big hill on Lake Forest. Overall I ran 4 miles and they probably ran 1.5 or so. The Wife and The Boy walked through the neighborhood instead of running. Weenies.

Another Tuesday

Ran with the (formerly Virtual) Running Partner on Tuesday morning, a nice 3-miler. We kept it slow since it was his first day back from vacation. I felt pretty good, in spite of the humidity and dead air about halfway along the path. On the way out we saw the coolest bug sitting on top of one of the concrete posts atop a bridge. It was white with black spots and the most impressive of antennae. When we came back the bug was gone but a whole line of cars was queued up for the Liberty HS parking lot - it was a bunch of teachers coming in for some summer work, I guess. Sorry, teachers, but the bug was more fascinating.

Alone

Daughter #3 was supposed to get up and run with me this morning, but when I went to her room the second time to see if she was awake she was still asleep. So I ran alone, a whole 3 miles. That turned out to be the perfect distance. I thought about running another mile, but since I'm adding another running day this week I decided keeping it short was better than trying to get in one more mile. And this week I'm definitely going to start back with the weights. That never happened last week due to getting the rest of our stuff out of the storage unit. That's done now, which means I can get back even more into the regular routine.

Exploring

Today I planned on a 4-mile run, just like Thursday. When I got close to the turnaround point I decided on the spur of the moment to change it up. I kept going and ran a circuit instead of an out-and-back. I went down Hardin to Virginia Parkway and then back to Lake Forest. The overall total was 4.5, but that extra quarter mile was due to a wrong turn in my new neighborhood, which I'm still learning. Otherwise it would have been 4.25.

I ran out of sidewalk a couple of times on the second half of the run, but that doesn't bother me. I also ran by the McKinney water tower, which is huge. Just sayin'. I probably should have caked on some sunblock but most of the time I ran in the shade. It was enjoyable and a good outing. The adventure continues.

A Little More

Today I added a mile and made it 4, again along the same path as Monday's run. The morning was overcast but not much cooler. I don't mind. Lots of sweat. It was a good day to be out and exploring. I'm looking forward to being able to run all winter without dealing in the single-digit temperatures. For now, though, I'm enjoying the newness of the area and getting back into fighting shape.

Back on Track

Well, now that the gettingthehousereadytoselllistingthehousegettinganewjobsellingthehousemovingtotexasbuyinganewhousemovingintothenewhouse business is all done, it's time to get in shape. I even stepped on the scale this morning, which is a rare occurrence, but I wanted to know the starting point. I'm up to 172 lbs., which is a bit much on this frame. I could tell the weight has added on, especially in the belly area. Time to get rid of it.

Here in Texas you either run in the morning before it gets hot, or you don't. I ran 3 miles today, my first time on a path that goes all the way from the neighborhood north of here east to Towne Lake and slightly beyond. Not many people out on a Monday morning, but maybe everyone's not as motivated as me. Even though the temperature was only about 80 degrees and I had sporadic shade, I still sweated like crazy. Which is to be expected, given my current condition.

I had the brief thought this afternoon that I should run every day this week as a crash re-intro to exercise, and then sanity took hold and I realized that's an invitation to injury. So I'll take it easy and run three times, and then maybe add a fourth day next week. I also need to get back to strength training. That seems to be a good discipline for being in shape, too. Tomorrow I'll get out the weights.

Better

Today's run was a ton better than Monday's. I wasn't even planning to run today but the Virtual Running Partner harangued me into it. We went 3 miles again, under clouds and humidity, and I felt like a totally different person. We gradually got faster as we went along, with the last mile under the ten-minute mark. Amazing what you can do with a few days of eating better and none to minimal drinking. Our plan is to run a few more times this week, maybe adding an extra mile to the run on Saturday.

Running in Texas

This was my first run as an actual Texas resident, and it was horrible. The weather and 3-mile distance weren't so bad, although it was way humid. The horrible part came because of the self-inflicted food and drink over the Independence Day weekend. Let's not do that again. Seriously, between the humidity and the crappy way I felt it was a tough run. As I've said before, it's time to get back in shape.

It Doesn't End Here

What with the move and my aching knee, it's been ten days since my last run. I was bound and determined to run my regular route one more time before we move, and I got it in this morning. The day was sunny and humid, like so many others I've weathered. Went the full 6 miles, with a few walks to balance the humidity and lack of running recently. Along the way I thought of a few memorable things that happened over the years, things like thinking too much about work and idiot people, running intervals on 96th Street, my footprints in the concrete in front of our neighborhood, the 2x800 runs where I felt like I was going to puke, the stick-thin girl who blew by me on mile 18 of my 20-miler, seeing Miss Soni and talking with her about her races (inspiring!), and the way this part of town has changed in the past ten years. No tears here, but lots of memories.

This is where I trained for eight marathons and probably an equal number of halfs. Thousands of hours of running, music, podcasts, sports drinks, and gel packs. But it doesn't end here. The story will continue in Texas on new routes yet to be mapped. This is the end of an era (kind of) and the beginning of getting back into shape and into some new races. Thanks KC - it's been fun and sweaty.

Clouds and Ice

Yesterday rain was in the morning forecast, so I set the alarm for later rather than getting up and not being able to run. My left knee had been aching for the past few days and it seemed like a good time to rest it anyway. By afternoon I was ready for some physical activity and decided to test out the knee. It was cloudy and humid, just like most of the weather the past few weeks. As I ran east on 96th Street there was a small river running down one portion of the sidewalk. Have I mentioned we've had a lot of rain. Due to humidity and not wanting to push the knee too far, I reined it in at 4 miles.

The ice came later when I was sitting and watching TV with The Wife. My knee ached and so I put an ice pack on it. That helped, and today it's mildly achy but not as bad as the past few days. Another ice pack might be in order. We'll see how it feels later today and I'll decide whether or not to run tomorrow.

Made It - Somehow

This morning was cloudy, warm, and humid. Add those conditions to my sub-par night of sleep and I was looking at a bad run. Well, it was bad, but not the worst run ever. I thought between miles 1 and 2 that I might be best served by stopping at about mile 3 and calling it a day. I walked a little at mile 2 and still felt like I was slogging through thick mud. When I passed my possible cutoff point I kept going, mainly because I'd crossed the street earlier, a subconscious trick I've used before. Then for some reason when I turned south onto Shoal Creek I felt a jolt of sudden energy that kept me going, and going, and going. Yes, I ran the whole 6 miles, but I wouldn't have bet money on that anywhere in the first half.

On a finishing note, I finished up the Hardcore History series on Blueprint for Armageddon, which was the outstanding five-part podcast on WWI. I listened to the last episode my previous four outings after downloading it when I found it was available. Not only are all HH episodes great distractions, but I would have to say podcasts don't get any better than this one. The great thing is that they're very re-listenable, and I will go back and listen to previous episodes and series all the time. Blueprint is one series I plan on revisiting soon and going straight through now that there's no time lag between episodes. So good.

Summer Arrives

Too much going on last week, including rain on Thursday morning and then a trip to Manhattan (of the Kansas variety) for the weekend. Yesterday Dad was here in the morning and I had an 8:30 conference call, which means today was my first run in a week. Also, summer is here. It was warm, sunny, and humid. I went slow for 6 miles and produced a lot of sweat. That's okay, though, since I like the warm weather. Plus it felt good to get out for a run after being off for seven days and also knowing that running over the next few weeks will be sporadic during the move. If I can get through the next month without eating and drinking too much I'll be okay. We haven't even started packing in earnest and I'm ready to be done with it.

Another

It was another night where I woke up in the 4 a.m. range and then took a while to get back to sleep, and another 6-mile run. I felt about as sloggy as I did yesterday. I made it, again with the walk up the hill by the golf course. It was cool, cloudy, and breezy, but not horribly so. I finished up the day with a new house and a new truck. A mediocre run ended well.

New Shoes

I was a little excited about this morning's easy run since it was my first chance to run in my new Asics Gel Nimbus 17 shoes. I tried them on a few days ago when they arrived and it was like tying little cushiony clouds to the bottom of my feet. The run itself today was a little different story, though.

I went 4 miles on my nice easy day, and it was apparent from the early going that the shoes were a little tight at the midpoint on the outsides of both feet. I've had that pinched feeling before and it's not a good one. If my run was for a longer distance I would have turned around and returned home to change shoes. As it was I felt kind of slow and sloggy anyway, and having my feet hurt didn't help. I'll wear the shoes around in non-running situations to break them in better. Hopefully that will help because otherwise the shoes really were nice and soft. Tomorrow, though, I'll wear my old pair.

Cloudy with a Chance of Running

Yesterday we made a day trip to Wamego/Manhattan for Dad's birthday. We made it home by 10 o'clock. When I went to bed about 40 minutes later it forever to fall asleep and I was awake until after 1 a.m. I didn't think that bode well for today's run, but I slept past 8 a.m. Of course it was cloudy when I got up, so I looked at the weather online. A small storm was headed our way, from out of the northwest, of all things, and I waited awhile for it to pass by. I kept waiting and waiting, and finally once the green part of the storm (on radar) was at our position and nothing much happened I went out and got in my 7 miles.

Today is cooler than normal, and I think I probably went out too fast. But it worked out because of the coolness and the breeze. Overall it was humid, but the breeze helped. I went the whole way without walking, a testament to the milder temperature. It looks like we'll be closing on our house a month from today, which means a limited time left to run these routes that are so familiar from the last ten years.

Rain Today

More rain, which means we're probably way over our average for the month. They've been getting a lot in Texas, too, where we're moving. It's a strange season. The sky to the east was clear when I left this morning about 6:30, but to the west there was a big front moving in. You could see the definition in the upper reaches of the cloud cell (look at me, talking like a meteorologist and all). As I turned toward the golf course I decided I should cut my run short, even though I hate to do that. My mileage was in the 3.75 mile neighborhood, and my decision turned out to be the right one. Five minutes after I got home I heard thunder, and five minutes after that it started pouring. I don't mind running in the rain, but when there's lightning, no thanks.

Ran Yesterday

I thought I might have to cut yesterday morning's run short due to incoming storms, but they merely threatened and skipped by without incident. Even though I slept horribly, waking up at 4:30 and then dozing off and on for the next 105 minutes, my run went remarkably well. A nice breeze out of the south helped with the humidity until I turned around and ran with it. I chose to walk up the golf course hill to avoid any cramping issues. Overall a decent run and a good 6-miler.

Skipping

I skipped Saturday's run, although if I'd really tried I could have fit it in somewhere. We had two house showings in the morning and I didn't plan very well. Then I took a nap rather than running, and we got an offer on the house. Nevertheless I probably should have run.

This morning I was determined to get out, even though it's a holiday and very humid. I ran 4 miles, with a walk by the golf course due to the aforementioned humidity. It was a good day, with the offer from Saturday that was rejected being modified again. For now we're on the fence, but we'll see what happens. In the meantime I need to keep running whenever I can and avoid excuses.

Today is Thursday

I did not sleep well and therefore did not expect this morning's run to go well at all. As I woke a few times, or more than a few, during the night I thought about putting off my Thursday run until the afternoon . Fortunately I did not.

I went ahead and got out of bed when the alarm went off at 6:30, and was out the door by 6:45. Due to the low temperature I wore pants and a combo of long sleeves under a t-shirt. I even took a pair of knit gloves with me but never had to pull them out of my pockets. Once again I was pretty much alone out there, and went my 6 miles. I walked by the golf course on the way back, mainly because I didn't want to walk uphill against the wind.

The reason I'm glad I didn't wait is because I had to go to the library whil e we had a house showing, and then I walked back the ~2 miles to the house because our cars were indisposed. At this point in the evening my feet hurt and Saturday's run is in jeopardy. We'll see how it feels in 36 hours or so.

Cool Tuesday

This morning it was nice and cool but the sun was shining. I ran my 6 miles and felt good the whole way, as opposed to last week's Tuesday run. Lots of activity outdoors today, from mowers at the entrance development and over by the golf course, as well as a cop sitting out on 96th Street and stopping speeders. As I passed him by I asked how business was and he said it was pretty good. Judging by my observations over the years I would guess he could knock out his monthly quota in a day or two if he sat up in the same spot.

Another Monday Run

Wow, two weeks in a row with a Monday morning run! This time it was sunny with quite a stiff breeze. That cooled things down a bit, but nothing as bad as the good ol' winter winds. I ran an easy 4 miles, backing off several times to make sure I kept the pace slow. It's funny but the only other people I saw out and about were coming into the neighborhood as I was leaving, which means they were likely finishing up their runs. It seems I run a little later than most others, at least in the morning. That might change once it gets hotter, but for the time being I'm pretty much out there by myself at that time of day. No complaints, though.

Twice More with Humidity

Somehow I didn't get to post on Thursday. I ran 6 miles amid the humidity of the Midwestern spring thunderstorms. I walked by the golf course but at this point I've learned the humidity makes me cramp up, and when I was on my run the calves were definitely on the way. At points I felt really tight, but I pushed through and made it. It was cloudy but not very cool, which as usual contributed to the tightness. I also ran in the afternoon, which made the humidity and moderate heat more direct. I was going to run in the morning but it was raining. The change to a run later in the day probably contributed as well to the mediocre run.

Today I went 7 miles and got in my fourth run of the week. There were a lot of people out today. I varied my route a little to avoid people and avoid feeling like a stalker. I walked three times due to the same tightness I felt on Thursday. Each walking spell did the trick. Once again I'll chalk that up to being older and wiser. Overall I went 23 miles this week. Not bad for some sessions where I'm not training for a race.

Decision Time

I've told people before that the time to decide when you're going for a run is not when your head is on your pillow. Today I almost made that mistake.

When the alarm went off I felt like I needed a lot more sleep and seriously considered resetting the alarm for an hour later. In my mind I thought about how horrible the run was going to be, that it was cool (in the 40s), and that I could just run tomorrow followed by another one on Thursday. I probably considered that for a good two or three minutes before telling myself to get out of bed. I don't know what motivated me to actually do it, but I'm glad I did.

Today's run was far better than yesterday. I ran 6 miles and even though it was cool it was actually nice and sunny. I even put on sunscreen. I felt good and ran the whole way, even by the golf course. It was pretty clear to me early on that it was going to be a good run and I felt justified in my decision. If I'd listened to my lazy self I would have missed out on a really good start to my day. Sometimes you can surprise yourself and my run today certainly surprised me.

A Monday Run

I think I mentioned it before, but I thought it might be a good idea to add another run each week to make up for the lack of cross-training I've been able to do while preparing to move. This morning - a Monday! - I took a nice, easy, 4-mile run. Although it didn't really feel that easy. Maybe it was my body screaming in protest at the odd outing. Whatever it was I still made it through okay, even though it was chillier than I expected and had to go back in and put on a long-sleeved t. I ran without headphones to enjoy a nice not-so-quiet morning populated with people driving like idiots, presumably on their way to work. Kudos to the person who stopped to let me use the crosswalk as intended. That was a nice surprise.

7 on Saturday

I had to wait for a small rain shower to pass by this morning before going out for today's run. I made it the whole 7 miles as planned. After the rain from earlier as well as the last week it was quite humid. I kept it slow and easy and even walked up the golf course hill on the way back. Saw a few people out, but not as many as normal given the clouds and storms in the area. As I said the other day, it's nice to be back on a regular schedule and getting in all my runs every week.

6 in the Morning

I ran a good 6-miler this morning. I was out the door before 7 a.m. and kept up a nice even pace. Hopefully my running streak continues through next week. It's nice to be back in the swing of it, and I can tell a difference in how I feel each day. Unfortunately this time there was no fox to run with me, but I did look for my new friend as I passed by the woods where I saw him the other day. It was cloudy and rained later in the morning, but as far as running goes it was just about perfect.

New Day

This morning it was humid, but not overly so. It's been rainy lately, and added to that later in the day. I decided to run 5 miles, in the hopes of doing a 5-6-7 week. When I made my turn on 96th Street and headed west I crossed the street by the pond up near the Hills of Montclair. Right after that I saw a fox come out of the woods, run down the sidewalk for a bit, and then duck back into the trees when a car buzzed by. It was kind of cool because I've seen foxes only a handful of times. I wonder what would have happened had I been on the other side of the street. I think we both would have been surprised.

Finishing the Week

Even though I ran yesterday I went ahead and got out this morning for a 6-miler. I didn't realize it had rained a little overnight but it was mostly gone by the time I left. It sprinkled on me about a half-mile from home, but not too bad. Because of the rain it was a little humid. I saw a few people out, but not the usual crowd on a weekend morning. Maybe they were put off by the clouds and threat of rain. I kept it pretty slow but felt about medium, probably due to running two days in a row. I was thinking since I can't do my weight training as usual due to trying to sell the house that I might add another day of running until we move. Not a bad idea. We'll see if it takes off or not.

Run x2

On Wednesday morning I ran in Frisco with The Virtual Running Partner. He's still recovering from some sort of lame injury, and we went about 3 miles. It was a nice morning with sunshine and no wind. I ate way too much on my trip to Texas, and it makes me think I need to run more so I don't put on weight from all the eating out. Of course it won't be like that when we move down there, but in the meantime...

This morning I ran 5 miles on my usual route. I felt stuffy from allergies and noticed a few times my breathing sounded like someone with asthma. No surprise there. It was a beautiful morning and I have to say it's nice to get out for a run first thing in the morning. As I've said before, it's too bad the weather can't be like this all the time. I think I'll run again tomorrow so I can get in my three runs for the week. I told the VRP that we need to pick a race later in the year so we have a goal.

Third Time is a Charm

I made it through the third run of the week, a 6-miler that seems like a small victory these days. Even thought it's kind of sad compared to the past mileage and workouts, but everyone goes through seasons of life and I'm in one right now where opportunities to run don't always pop up on a regular basis. I ate a big breakfast and then went to Target to get a shirt for work. When I went out a little more than an hour after eating The Wife commented on how soon I was going for my run. I responded that it was okay, it was more than an hour and I didn't expect any cramps.

The day was overcast and somewhat cool, but not too bad. As soon as I headed out the door I came back in and checked the weather to make sure a big storm wasn't imminent. Some foreboding clouds hovered low on the western horizon. The weather radar looked okay and I went out the door again. Between miles 2.5 and 3 it started to rain a little, never getting much more than a heavy mist or light drizzle, depending on your perspective. It was enough to cover the sidewalk and make me take off my sunglasses. That was the worst it got, though, and tapered off by the time I made the turn at mile 4. Fifteen minutes after I returned home it rained for real, what I would call a nice soaking rain that went on for over half an hour. That was nice, and really wouldn't have been too bad to run in since there was no accompanying thunder.

Five More

Running more than once in a week is almost a novelty these days. This morning I made it out for 5 miles on another cool start to the day. Wore the long pants and shirt again. I guess we're still on the journey to warmer weather, but I'm not going to complain since it's a nice day. Since The Boy broke his wrist a couple of days ago I also spent my lunchtime mowing the lawn. It made for an active day in spite of work, which is just fine with me. Work is almost done and it'll be time to grill in a bit. That's a good day as far as I'm concerned.

Back at It

Getting the house ready to sell last week after I got back in town knocked me off the running trail. It went on the market late Thursday night. I probably could have run Saturday but I was so worn out it would have been a horrible run and an invitation to injury. Plus I cracked my right knee really good (bad?) on the vacuum cleaner. I mean hard. I almost fell down. But enough of that.

This morning I got up and ran in low 40s temps. I went 4 miles and thought I might have problems with the knee but never felt a twinge. It was good running weather. I wore long sleeves and long pants, which was a good choice considering the breeze out of the west. We had to leave before dinner for a house showing and the day ended with The Boy breaking his wrist at karate this evening. Definitely more eventful than originally planned.

Pre-Move Run

Ran about 4.5 miles this morning in Dallas, which is where we'll be moving. Ran with the Virtual Running Partner, who will soon lose the Virtual part of that title. He's coming back from a shin injury and ran a couple while I continued for a little more. Nice cloudy morning with just a hint of mist. Fun seeing all the kids riding bikes to school down the path.

Fit Run

The company I work for gives every employee a fitbit. I got mine Friday and wore it all day yesterday (Saturday), which was a little enlightening. I ran 6 miles on a beautiful morning. Given that I've been running sporadically it felt good and I never had to walk. Lots of people out for runs and walks. The fitbit buzzed before I got back to the neighborhood that I'd reached the daily goal of 10,000 steps.  Then I came home and went to work on the house, which seems almost like a full-time job as we get ready to put it on the market.

At the end of the day I checked what the fitbit recorded and it said I'd gone over 25k steps and 12.59 miles, burning approximately 3,200 calories in the process. That all seems right except the calories. Normally I think these devices overestimate that measure, but in this case I think it was low. A lot of the steps I took in the afternoon involved carrying things, like boxes, bags of mulch, stones, etc.

All that to say at the end of the day I was wiped out.

Morning Runner

This was my second day on the new job, and since it starts a little later I've decided to become a morning runner. We'll see how this goes. I got up at 6:15 and was out the door by 6:30. I went 5 miles, saving the extra mile for next time around. It's been raining lightly the past day or so, and was still cloudy this morning, and therefore the humidity was up a little. Not too bad but noticeable.

On my way back through the traffic circle I saw a guy driving past. He was wearing a shirt and tie. Poor schmuck. I like my new commute a lot better. And I have a feeling I'll like morning running better, too, especially when the weather turns hotter. And even more so once we move to Texas.

Circumstances

Sad to say that circumstances rather than any physical issues have kept me from running for the past ten days or so. Of course we've been working on the house, and this past week was the Easter program. The only day I had off from rehearsals and performances was  Daughter #2's birthday. This morning was my first real chance to run in what seemed like forever.

It was a nice day, and cooler than it looked. The thermometer said 36 degrees when I was ready to go out at 9 a.m., but the sun was out and when I stepped onto the deck it seemed warmer. I went ahead and wore a long-sleeved t under my regular shirt over shorts, and that turned out to be a good decision. The wind out of the south cooled things off quite a bit, but I surprised myself by running a full 6 miles. On my iPod I listened to some excellent old Smothers Brothers albums, and LOL'd a few times. When I was a kid we had the 'Think Ethnic' album, which I now have in my record collection. It's still funny. I bought a few more from amazon a few weekends ago in digital format, and that's what made me laugh today. Amazing how stuff over 50 years old is so timeless and funny without being profane.

Before Easter

Next week it's going to be tough to get in a run due to the Easter rehearsals and performances. Today I cranked it up to 6 miles (seems sad to say that) and it felt good. I didn't even walk, even by the golf course. It was just one of those good runs where my brain was lost in thought most of the time. I seem to have lost my iPod case, which means my runs have been of the contemplative sort. Hopefully I can find it as we pick up stuff on the way to our move. I don't know if anyone sells stuff for that version any more. And as I sit here and type this I look up and see it falling off the back of the top shelf of the computer desk. Looks like I'm back in business. Talk about timing.

Spring Lull

Felt more like Fall or late Winter today. The temperature was in the 40s, and the sky was overcast with a little mist by the time I finished. I put on the stocking cap and knit gloves and stayed warm for the duration of 5 miles. I was thinking how weird it seems to be running such a "short" distance and feeling like it was a big deal. Makes me think I need to get back in race shape. Over the next few weeks (or months) we'll be selling our house and moving to Texas. Running outings are going to be at a premium and I need to make the best of each one. On the other hand, it will also be my outlet valve for stress. The outings need to be a priority.

Busy Saturday

Stayed up too late last night and slept late this morning. The quality of sleep was not good, which usually means a low-quality run. I knew if I was going to get in a run today it would have to be before I started working around the house. I ran 6 miles on a nice sunny morning that warmed up slowly. I walked a couple of times near the golf course because it seemed the right thing to do. Plenty of people out, including one guy on his bicycle wearing just a ridiculous outfit. It made my smile but I didn't laugh since I didn't want to hurt his feelings.

I stopped on the way out and back by a drainage area where I discovered some beavers had built quite a sizable dam. I'd seen the evidence previously of their presence from trees felled by their work along that stretch. I wonder if the landowner will let the dam stay since it backs up the creek into a nice big pool. I suppose we'll see how bad it gets when we experience a decent rain storm.

Misty

It rained yesterday and most of today, but by the time I got home from work it had mostly stopped with the exception of a little mist here and there. I missed my Tuesday run due to allergies, which pretty much knocked me for a loop for a couple of days. The rain took the pollen out of the air, and I was determined to get out for a run while I was in temporary remission. I ran 5 miles and felt pretty good afterward, although my right calf feels tight and has cramped a couple of times. No complaints, though. It was good to get out for a run.

Still Going

I thought it was going to be warmer this morning than it actually was. I stepped onto the deck in shorts and t-shirt, and it was cooooold. I checked the temperature online and found out it was 45 degrees. That would have seemed warm a month or so ago, but now it feels cold. I put on a long-sleeved technical shirt and kept the shorts. It still felt cool at times but not too bad. The wind was blowing from every direction, as usual, and I walked up the golf course hill. Sad that 6 miles seemed like a long run, but after the last several weeks I was glad to get it in and persevere. This was my first week in a long while where I was able to do all my strength and running. Even with all the stupid allergies.

Yes Again

Another gorgeous day, this one topping out at 76 degrees. I even had to get out the shorts after showering since it's already that warm. I ran 5 miles today, and felt pretty well. A couple of times it seemed to drag and my legs felt not-as-fresh, but other than those few moments I enjoyed it. Lots of people out running and walking, and four - count them, four - people riding bicycles on the sidewalk. Not my favorite thing.That's what the street is for. Anyway, I feel like I'm getting back into the swing of this running thing and look forward to Saturday's outing.

Yes

Today was darn near perfect for a run. Sunny, 70 degrees or so, and just a hint of a breeze. I would have run on a day like htis even if I had two broken legs. Fortunately that's not the case, and I got in a nice 4-miler. I felt no sign of wekness or swelling in my knee, which means my time off was apparently worth it. As any inhabitant of the Midwest U.S. knows, days as nice as this are few and far between. I enjoyed it appropriately.

Trying to Run

Twice this week I've tried to run. Tuesday I started on the treadmill, and very quickly it was apparent I had a problem with my right knee. After a couple of minutes I decided to stop since I didn't want to make it worse. It felt like my knee was weak, a weird feeling.

Today I tried again, except outside this time. It was a nice day, and I really wanted to get in at least 4 miles. Within the first 20 strides I felt the same pain. It went away after that for a short time, but after a quarter mile it reappeared. I felt like my knee was mildly swollen. I thought it would go away again but no dice. I turned around and once again cut the run short. This time I was really bummed since I wanted to run on a nice sunny, almost windless day. I will probably skip Saturday and try again next week. This is one of those times where the "injury" is nothing major, but the most prudent course of action is to keep from pressing so that I live to run again another day.

That Kind of Day

Thursday I intended to get home quickly and run on the treadmill before the realtor arrived. That didn't happen. I wasn't too thrilled with that but life is about being flexible, right?

Today I went 5 miles inside. Again, it involved being flexible. Watched the first episode of House of Cards Season 3. It was the Doug Stamper Show, at least for this one. Made the time go by quickly, anyway. Snow all day long. Still ready to move someplace warmer, and then whatever I watch on Netflix will be on my own time. Which will be totally okay with me.

First Run in Two Weeks

What a pain. In my neck, that is. Two weeks ago, the night after my last run, I woke up at 4 a.m. with excruciating pain running down the right side of the back of my neck. I couldn't get back to sleep. I endured a full day of meetings, mainly because I had to give a presentation. By the time 4:30 p.m. rolled around I couldn't move my head from side to side and one of my co-workers thought it was pretty funny. Which I guess it was. The pain had graciously extended itself down my right shoulder blade. I went home and tried to relax. The pain receded to just my neck. I tried to go to bed about 9 and laid awake for several hours. I got up at midnight and The Wife checked on me. She got on the computer to find out if urgent care was open (they weren't). She wanted me to go to the emergency room, which I declined since going and waiting until dawn for help wasn't what I wanted to do. After that she checked the emergency room and sure enough, they were backed up. Then she called a nurse's line where they told her to take me to my doctor or urgent care in the morning. I sat on a recliner in the living room and finally fell asleep between 2 and 3 a.m.

At urgent care we waited longer than normal since one of the doctors was out sick. The doctor who finally came in quickly determined I had a muscle spasm and diagnosed a wry neck. They gave me a shot for the pain and prescriptions for a muscle relaxer and painkillers. I went home and slept five hours. It took about a week to finally feel close to normal. During that time I determined it was best to take time off from running as well. You don't need your neck to run, but I certainly didn't want to do anything that would make the problem worse. Plus it snowed a couple of times.

Today I was excited to get back to it. The weather warmed up to 44 degrees and the sun was shining. I went 4 easy, slow miles, trying to stretch and not push too hard. That was exactly the right distance for my first run back. Snow is in the forecast again, and it seems my next couple of runs might be inside. Oh well, the new season of House of Cards comes out Friday. I guess that should keep me occupied while I'm on the treadmill.

Change of Plans

Lots of stuff going in life right now, which necessitated a change in plans regarding the March race. In other words I won't be running it this year, which is a pretty big bummer. I just can't afford to spend so much time training and then going to NM for a race when there's other stuff going on (cryptically speaking, obviously, until the plans are confirmed or otherwise). I was going to run Saturday, at a lesser distance, but I was painting downstairs while waiting for the day to warm up to a nice temperature. Then while still waiting I started sanding and painting baseboards in the hallway, and by the time I was done I was tired. I knew at that point a run would not go well. I postponed it until Sunday, but that didn't happen either since we went to the remodeling and garden show. All that to say I ended up not running this past weekend.

Today was one of those times where I went out for 6 miles and it felt like I'd been off for a couple of months. Seriously, I felt fat and slow. My legs felt fine, but the rest of me, not so much. The temperature was in the 40s and a little breezy, but I got by without gloves or a stocking cap. I listened to Kansas' Masque on my iPod - what a great album. Two singers whose voices blended perfectly (Walsh and Steinhardt), and fantastic violin melded in with the guitars and keys. It's one of my favorite Kansas albums, if not the absolute favorite. Those were the days of great and inventive musicians. I tell my kids the best decade of music was the 70s. They agree.

Snow and Truncation

I hate to say this, but I probably should have run inside today. The sun was out, but it snowed yesterday and the temperature was only up to the mid-20s with a lovely breeze from the southwest. The plan called for Yasso 800s, which are challenging enough without dodging icy patches on the sidewalks. Most of the route was ice and snow-free, but on the Shoal Creek leg there were plenty of spots to avoid. I ran four of five intervals and decided to stop at 5 miles. The extra mile didn't seem worth the effort or risk of injury. I don't know if I would have done the full 6 miles on the treadmill, but it might actually have been a little more enjoyable. The temperature goes back up for the weekend, which sounds really good right after today's outing.

Escape to the Outdoors

I was able to sneak outside for this afternoon's run between snowstorms. We had snow on Sunday, some of which still lingers in the grass and sidewalks. Tomorrow we're supposed to get more. It was warm enough today, about 50 degrees, to allow for a 6-mile run. The wind was blowing hard from the southwest, about 20 mph, so my tempo run was slowed a couple of times as I ran uphill against the wind. I finished without walking and kept my feet relatively dry. Any chance to run outside in winter is worth the effort. I attended meetings at the Fed today and could have gone out afterward for happy hour, but running outside was more important. Sorry folks.

Treadmill and Netflix

Not my favorite day of running ever. It was cold and raining outside this morning, and still is, which meant I had to do my long run on the treadmill. I set up and decided to watch something different on Netflix. I knew two hours of Friends would be okay but might not distract me enough. So I watched the first two episodes of Peaky Binders, which was new to me. Looks like it's originally a BBC show. That got me through most of my 13 miles. As I said, this wasn't my favorite run, but I made it through. Hoping for better weather next weekend as the mileage increases.

P.S. Just realized this is my 1,000th post, which means I've run at least that many times since I started documenting my runs here. I wonder how many miles that adds up to? I see some bloggers I follow make a big deal out of this milestone, but instead I think I'll just go take a nap.

The Return of Winter

Yesterday it was almost back to normal around here: cold, gray, and windy. It was a day almost built for running inside, but because it was just barely tolerable I went ahead and ran outside. I saw a few others out as well, which I take to mean that I wasn't totally crazy. The plan called for Yasso 800s, which is what I did. Without the GPS it's a little more difficult to follow the plan exactly. Some of my 800s were longer, and a few were probably shorter. Either way I did five intervals and made it through the entire 6 miles with only one walk. That was on the hill by the golf course, uphill and against the wind. I decided to not push it by trying to run that section.

Bad weather is moving in this weekend, and it could be a couple of hours on the treadmill Saturday. It's time once again to think about moving someplace warmer.

57 and Hills

Nice day. Considering it's January, it was a *really* nice day. I even wore shorts and a short-sleeved t-shirt. It was right on the border of being warm enough, but I think that caused me to run a little faster and that kept me warm. I ran 6 miles since today was a hill day, going over to 435 and then north by the school. I kept up a pretty good pace and it was a blast to run without layers and long pants. I certainly won't get used to it, but I could.

Saturday Recap

I ran 10 miles on Saturday with the Virtual Running Buddy, who was here to celebrate The Wife's birthday. We got out before the party and did a loop of 4 miles around the neighborhood, and then 6 more on the normal route. It was a very nice morning weather-wise, and sunny, too. We kept the pace slow, at about 10:40/minute even though he wanted to go even slower we were just too blazing fast. It was a good run to set up the next several weeks of increasingly longer outings.

Wife's Birthday Run

Big milestone birthday for The Wife, which deserved a run, of course. I ran 6 miles under gray clouds and a temperature right at freezing. Four of the miles were at tempo pace, which felt pretty good until I was running up the hill by the golf course against the wind. Other than that short walk it was okay.

Run Up Hill (repeat)

Today was hill repeats day, and a nice day for it at that. If there is such a thing for this workout. I ran the first 1.25 miles with Daughter #2, then took off for a hill on Eastern Road. I ran up and down four times, which was a pretty darn good exercise. I extended the hill after the first run and made it a good distance for #s 3 and 4. Then I ran home. I'm pretty sure I didn't go the full 6 miles, so I'll call it 5. It's harder to gauge distance without mapping it first or using a GPS.

Catching Up

Even thought I didn't post I actually ran three times this past week. It's been busy around here, and the weather has been superb. Especially for January.

I ran 6 miles Tuesday and did four of them in a tempo run. Then Thursday was hill day, which is really what they all are. I ran the first mile with Daughter #2 and then did the other five on my own. I was going to go Saturday but actually I'm glad I waited since it turned out windy that particular day. In the meantime I was refinishing our kitchen floor, and I concentrated on that instead of running. To get my long run of 11 miles in I ran on Sunday instead. It was another beautiful day, with just a little wind. I had to get that one in between playing in the orchestra and then picking up Daughter #2 from church. Yes, I was a heathen, but I needed to run then so I could put down the gloss on the floor in the afternoon. Which looks okay, by the way, but man, that was a lot of work. It was almost more exhausting than running a marathon.

First Outside Run of the Year

Ten days into the new year and I was finally able to run outside. It was not warm, but the sun was shining. When I set out the wind chill was in the single digits, but by the time I finished it was about 16 degrees. I was going to go 11 miles but finished at 8, mainly because I thought my nose and lips were about to freeze off my face. That throws my training plan into some disarray, but I can adjust. It was nice to get back into the outside world again, even though it wasn't the best of weather.

Still Inside

I'm still waiting to run outside this year. The temperature got out of single digits today but the wind was still horrific. I ran another 6 miles on the treadmill and watched some more Friends. I have to admit that helps the time go quickly. Still, I'd rather run outside. We'll see how it looks for the weekend.

Single Digits

Today's run on the treadmill was 6 miles, which was the same as the temperature outside. Tonight it's supposed to get down to 1 degree. I was supposed to run yesterday but we went to a matinee. I thought about skipping it and doing my weight workouts, but I figured I needed the mileage more. That puts me in line for two days in a row of running, but that's okay. I'm just hoping it warms up enough to run outside on Saturday.

Going the Full Nine

I should have waited until this afternoon to run, and/or not believed the weather forecast. It was supposed to be a winter storm warning from last night at 9 p.m. until tonight at midnight. Instead we received a misting overnight and nothing today. Which is fine with me. But I decided I didn't want to be cold and so I stayed in this morning and ran 9 miles on the treadmill. Fortunately Friends is on Netflix now and I watched the first 4 1/2 episodes for distraction. I should be taking advantage of days like this, though, because it's quickly going to get to a point where I can't make myself do long distances inside like that as the mileage ratchets upward. Next time I'll certainly be less inclined to trust a forecast of 3-6" of snow.

Botched Outside Run

I was all geared up for a run in freezing weather, and then found my gear wasn't. My pants were in the laundry, but salvageable. My stocking hat and ear warmers were not. That sent me back to the treadmill. I watched an Aziz Ansari comedy show, which was not as bad as the Offerman show I tried the other day. Yes, there was some bad language, but he wasn't blasphemous and at times pretty darn funny. I guess it's hit or miss with the Parks and Rec gang. I got in my 6 miles and wish it had been outside. The forecast for Saturday isn't looking good either, with ice and snow on the horizon. It's winter. Gee, who could have seen this coming?