Inconsistency

If there's one word to describe my running this year, it's this one: inconsistency. I didn't plan on taking a week between runs, but last weekend I helped the FVRP put up a pergola on successive days with temperatures almost to the century mark. Then I was in Austin for three days and chose to leave my gear behind since I knew my chances to get out were basically none. Finally, this morning I slept in to recover from the trip and the delayed flights.

At about 10 I decided I could get out at lunch rather than skipping a couple more days. The temperature wasn't too bad, mid-80s, and the sky a little overcast. The first two miles were okay, a little faster than they should have been, but after the turn I walked a few times. That's okay, I wasn't going for speed, I was going for sweat. I certainly achieved that. This 4 miles was the start, I hope, of some renewed consistency in my running schedule.

Slog

When I woke up this morning my first, second, and third thoughts were that I should go back to bed. As I walked out the door I was thinking I should turn around and go back inside. Ten steps into my run I thought this was going to be a bad run and I should just loop around the block and go home.

I was wrong.

The run didn't feel that great, and a couple of times I felt like walking. When the 4 miles were done, though, I had run it all and conquered the part that kept telling me to stop. Not a huge victory and I don't want to overplay it, but even after all these years of running I still get those thoughts and have to overcome them. I'm glad I did. That breakfast of bacon and eggs tasted much sweeter after all that.

Better Tuesday

I conquered the hill today, fighting the mental battle the whole way. I did the same 4 miles and tried to keep myself in the right frame of mind the whole way. My right calf felt tight once, as opposed to yesterday, and probably because I used the foam roller yesterday afternoon.

The FVRP and I were talking yesterday about how much I love the hot weather. I really do. Summer is my favorite time of year, and for the most part the heat doesn't bother me. It's the humidity that gets me on these runs. It takes a good half hour to cool off once I'm done, and that's after only 4 miles. I don't know that I could sweat any more at that distance, but I certainly can't sweat any less.

Monday Outing

It was another humid morning, and my right calf seemed pretty tight. I did my 4 miles without seeing many people out at the first of the week. I don't know what it is about these shorter runs, but I walked up the big hill, which I didn't do on the longer run Saturday. I think it's just the humidity, which was maybe a little lower on the previous run but it's rained since then. I don't know. Maybe it's mental. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Four in a Week

Finally met my goal of four runs in a week, which I've been wanting to do because of the heat and corresponding decreased mileage on my normal outings. This morning was plenty humid again, but I lucked out. I got out about 7 a.m. and the sun stayed behind the clouds, which kept me from overheating. I ran my normal 6-mile route and did it without walking. I was able to get in four runs in spite of traveling this week, but this next week should be easier if I can avoid laziness.

Early in Austin

Tuesday morning I was in Austin and went out early for a 4-mile run. My hotel was downtown by Town Lake, the Colorado River, Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin...whatever you want to call it. I went out about 6:15 to avoid the heat, and there were plenty of people out already. I ran west a couple of miles, or almost, until I hit a dead end. There are some parts of the path that terminate at various points, and if you're not familiar with the paths you'll find those spurs. I ran east and then wasn't paying attention to my turnoff and ended up running an extra quarter-mile or so, but that wasn't too big a deal. Overall it was a good run and one of my favorite places to enjoy the local scenery.

Back to Normal

This morning was a non-eventful 4 miles. No armadillo, and not even any people until almost the halfway point. Seems like the regulars slept in today. This was my third run of the week, and I'm gunning for #4 on Saturday. Not a big fan of getting up early, but it needs to be done in order for me to get these in before the day gets too hot.

The Running Armadillo

Strange that we've lived in Texas over a year now and Monday was the first time I've seen an armadillo on one of my outings. I was running my 4-miler down the path by the pond, and I saw a little animal chugging along to the right. I did a double-take because I've seen lots of rabbits and squirrels, but sure enough, this time it was an armadillo. He ran along in the grass for about ten yards and then ducked into the shrubbery. At least I was going faster than he - or she. Couldn't tell for sure and I respect its privacy.

Three for the Week

Saturday morning, which was yesterday, started with the alarm going off at 6 a.m. Yes, on a Saturday. I wanted to get in my third run of the week, and I was willing to get up early to do it. The start to the day was typically muggy and trending toward warm, but I ran my 6 miles with only two walks - one at 4.5 miles and the other up the big hill. It was nice and quiet out, and it wasn't until I got over by the dog park that I started seeing people.

I'd planned on the early rise being coupled with a nap at some point later in the morning, but I took The Boy to a demo day at McKinney airport. We talked to some people about aviation school and then took a ride in a Cessna. To my memory I don't recall ever flying in a single-engine plane, and it was kind of cool. There were only a few times where I was really conscious of being in a smaller plane, but overall it wasn't bad. The Boy loved it, of course, and if he started college tomorrow instead of in a couple of years he'd be going for aviation. He still might, but we'll see what happens between now and graduation.

Two in a Row

Today's run was identical to yesterday - 4 miles, high humidity, same route, same podcast, walked up the big hill...oh wait, there was one difference. The sprinklers were going off at the trail head, so I had to jump over a very low wall to avoid them, and then run in the street on the way back since they were still running. Other than that it was like the movie Groundhog Day. I felt the effects of running two days in a row, but I needed to do it to kickstart my need to get back to at least three sessions a week, if not four shorter runs to make up for being used to longer runs.

The Usual

I didn't run on Saturday, making today my first run in July. On a Wednesday, no less. I smoked ribs on Saturday and basically took the whole holiday weekend off from exercising and trying to be healthy. Plus the upstairs a/c broke down on Saturday as well and it's been typical Texas summertime hot. Anyway, I slept downstairs last night, which felt much better than the previous three nights, and got up this morning to run my 4 miles. Looking back, it's been awhile since I ran three times in one week and I'm hoping to change that this week by running today, tomorrow, and Saturday. Even though it's hot and humid it's time to get my act together.