Ending July in Normal Fashion

We're making it back up to the century mark on the thermometer before month-end. The days of rain and clouds are gone, but they were nice while they lasted. Today I ran 4 miles and did the 1-2-3 minute walk thing. Surprisingly, I only saw three people out on the trail. One was a guy walking, and the other two were walking down Lake Forest with a gas can. They stopped at the bridge to light cigarettes, so I'm guessing they weren't out for exercise. I took it easy the whole time, keeping a slow, steady pace. My heart rate maxed out at 154 bpm, which means I felt good and didn't push it too much. That's going to be the way to go over the foreseeable future.

5 and Fine

After the weirdness with the cramps on Thursday, I have to admit a little trepidation when I started running this morning. Fortunately, all went well. I took the westward route, which is what I'd wanted to do a couple of days ago. This time I ran 5 miles with only a couple of walking breaks. One was at the two-mile mark for a minute, and the other at 3.8 up the big hill on Virginia east of Ridge. The temperature started a couple degrees shy of 80 and ended at 81 when I finished. A bit humid, as expected. That's probably the last relatively cool run I'll have as Texas summer weather returns next week after a little bit of a break. I still don't know why I had calf cramps and need to do a little research. Could be electrolytes or lack of Vitamin D? Plenty of ideas but not sure the cause yet.

Unexpected Cramps

Yesterday afternoon was weird. I set out for a 4-miler and made it less than a mile. About a quarter-mile into it, both calves cramped. Usually that only happens after I've run 20+ miles. This cramping wasn't as bad as what I've experienced in the late stages of marathons, but it kind of weirded me out a little. I'd gone west instead of my regular route, so I turned and took a loop around another block, running to see how it went. That went fine, but I decided to call it a day. Cramps like that usually point to something my body needs and isn't getting. I'd been drinking water all day, so it wasn't dehydration. Maybe potassium? Anyway, in the short term I dosed the problem with ice-cold beer. That seemed to help and I'll try again tomorrow. Disappointing. And weird.

Inspiration with Perspiration

Today was one of those days where I received a bolt of inspiration while I ran my 4 miles. I'm working on a sequel to my novel First, which came out last October. I've struggled with a few false starts and now am about two-thirds of the way through a draft that I felt was going well but would need a lot of extra work to make it a book I'd want to read, much less publish. About a mile into today's run I thought of an idea I probably should've realized before and it brought everything together in my mind. Some of the root problems I knew I'd have to fix will disappear and the book will be more compelling.

What about the run, you ask? Good question. I wish I'd been able to run this morning since the temperature was in the 70s and the sky overcast. This afternoon the sun poked out and temperature rose to the mid-80s. Still not bad for Texas in July, though. It was a good run with the built-in walks. The best thing I can say is that the perspiration gave me some inspiration.

What Was

Today I ran 6 miles, which used to be my regular running distance. What was regular is now my long run, at least for now. The turnaround point is by the lake at Bonnie Wenk Park and I can't remember the last time I saw it. My hope is that this becomes routine again for my regular outings. The temperature was only about 80 degrees when I headed out, another nice July day in Texas. I definitely sweated a lot with the humidity, but I've run in worse. I thought there'd be more people out. I mean, there were several runners and cyclists, I just figured it'd be more crowded. I did walk at each mile, one minute at the first and second mile marks, two minutes at three and four, and three minutes at mile five. That kept my heart rate in check and provided a little relief from the humidity. It was nice to get in a "long" run again.

Almost Bailed

I had plenty of excuses to bail on this afternoon's run. Rain came through mid-afternoon and left it hot and humid. I didn't sleep well last night. I really just wanted to go smoke a cigar and chill. Despite all the reasons, I pushed myself to get out the door and run 4 miles. Even though the temperature was at least ten degrees lower than the previous run, the humidity made up for it. And yes! Rain in Texas in July. We'll take it. It was nice to see the streams with enough water in them to detect a little bit of a current. Also, I saw an armadillo out by the running path. It's odd to see them out during daylight hours. I took a sidestep toward him and he dashed for the tall grass and trees. They're destructive little critters and I was kind of hoping he'd tuck himself into an armored ball, but no such luck. Anyway, glad I made myself run today.

Recovery in the Heat

I viewed today as a recovery run after the baseball trip this past weekend. I did get in plenty of walking, including twice walking back to the rental from the stadium, about 1.5 miles. I also shaved a mile off the normal distance today since the temperature was 101 degrees this afternoon. Head index hit 106, or at least that's what I saw when I checked before heading out. So, I ended up with 3 miles today. I used the built-in walks to my advantage, maybe a little more than normal for such a short distance. It's supposed to cool off here for the next few days, "cool" being a relative term. Supposedly there's a chance of rain, too, but we all know how accurate those forecasts have been lately.

Hello, Texas

Today was a typical summer day in Texas. No surprise. 98 degrees, heat index 102. That doesn't sound so bad regarding the gap between air and humidity, but it did feel a bit like a sauna. Plus, I'm trying to cut back on snacks and didn't have anything mid-afternoon, so my stomach felt kind of aggravated at me when I started out. Not really nauseous or queasy, just like it expected to be fed and I hadn't done it. That feeling disappeared once I got going, though. I ran 4 miles, with varying degrees of walks at each mile marker. At the first mile I walked a minute, but at the second that walk lasted until I got back in the shade, probably about 3 1/2 minutes. The third walk was probably about the same. I've had a good string of regular running going, but it's going to end this weekend since I'll be going to baseball games. I'm sure I'll get in plenty of walking to make up for the lack of a run.

Late Call

I have a work call late this afternoon, and when I got stood up for a lunchtime call I decided to use the opportunity to get out for a run. Plus, it's marginally cooler now than it will be later. Even though the sun rode high in the sky I still found plenty of shade along the route. I went 4 miles, with a minute walk at each marker. Hey, it was only 89 degrees with a nice breeze from the north. That kept me from overheating. Overall, an uneventful, routine run. Now I don't have to try and rush out for a run after that call later.

Temperature Drop

A coldish front came through late yesterday. No rain, but it cooled things down quite a bit. This morning when I ran it was barely 80 degrees, a far cry from the 100-degree temperature on Tuesday when I ran. Today I'm smoking a brisket but still managed to break away for 5 miles, with only a minute walk every mile. Except the fourth, where I walked three minutes. Still, a nice day for a run overall. Saw plenty of people out walking. I took the alternate route through the neighborhood to the north, which offers more shade than my normal path that traces the southern edge of the big pond. We're supposed to have somewhat cooler temps for the next week, probably due somewhat to the hurricane hitting south Texas in a few days. Heck, maybe we'll even get some rain.

Four on the Fourth

It's Independence Day in the United States, which means a holiday. And I took advantage of the day off to run this morning before the mercury hits 100 degrees later this afternoon. I ran 4 miles and since the temperature wasn't too bad (88 degrees, heat index 97) yet, I walked at each mile marker without adding on the extra time like I did a couple of days ago. Saw several people out walking as well as a few runners. Mostly walkers, though. The southerly breeze helped as usual. I'm still amazed at how the streams have pretty much dried up over the past month or so. A chance of rain is in the forecast overnight, along with a break in the high temperatures. As usual, I'm skeptical.

101 Plus

Today was the first day I've run over 100 degrees this year - I think. It was 101 with heat index of 108. Not really that different from running when it's 97 and feels like temp of 107. The breeze out of the south felt good, at times, and at other times felt like a blast furnace. Like when I ran across the bridge in the last mile. Anyway, I ran 4 miles and modified my walking routine by adding a half-minute to the normal walk at each mile marker. By the time I got to mile three and walked 3 1/2 minutes it seemed like a lot of walking. But by that point I needed it. I watched my heart rate and it maxed out at about 150, sliding back nicely to 130 or less when I walked. I figure that's probably a good indicator to watch when it's so hot.