Running Before Coffee

I got up early enough this fine Saturday morning to run before it gets too hot. That also means running before having any coffee, which is good because now that I'm home I can sit on the patio and enjoy several cups without having to rush. The temperature was in the upper 70s but as usual, the humidity percentage was about the same number. I took the easterly route today, with the variety of going on the north side of the neighborhood around the pond to remain longer in the shade of the trees along the path. This is how today's run went: ran first mile, walked a minute. Ran the second mile, walked to the end of the bridge and back to add another quarter-mile or so to the total. Ran the third mile, walked about three minutes. Ran to the bottom of the big hill, walked up it. Ran the final third of a mile or so and walked the couple of blocks home to cool off. All told, about 4.5 miles, including the walking. Thought about going longer but decided a little over an hour of exercise would be enough without adding an extra half-mile. I'd say overall it's been a good week in the running department. Not outstanding, but pretty good given the heat and humidity.

A Brief History of Time

Just kidding, this is NOT a brief history of time. Sometimes thinking of a title for a post is hard work and you just end up going with whatever pops into your head. Instead, this is a brief history of today's 4-mile run. I took the westerly route, the one with bigger hills. I ran the first half and then walked for a couple of minutes before resuming the third mile, the end of which included walking a quarter mile up a humongous hill before running the last mile without stopping. The first mile of this route is mostly uphill, meaning a gentle incline that keeps you from really ever catching your breath. I went during the late morning when the sun was shining and temperature only about 80 degrees. One thing about going that direction is that there are a lot less people than on my usual route through the park. Go figure. A nice breeze from the southeast helped when I ran that direction. Overall, a good outing and nice chance to get my run in early for the day.

Opportunity

When the opportunity arises, run before it gets hot. That opportunity presented itself today, and so I did. Temperature was mid-80s and about ten degrees higher when adding in heat index, all on its way to a high of 93 today. A breeze from the south felt really good when I hit the straightaway for the last mile and I audibly sighed in contentment. I went 3 miles, trying to keep it somewhat short due to work. I didn't see anyone else walking or running, but I did see several cyclists. Maybe they saw the same opportunity I did. We're definitely in the summer pattern now. No rain in the forecast, lots of sunlight, and a breeze that soon enough will feel like opening an oven. Hey, this is what I signed up for. No complaints here, just heat management.

Smoky Saturday and Running Sunday

Yesterday, Saturday, I should have gone for a run. The sky was overcast and temperature not too bad, although humid as usual. Instead, I smoked a pork shoulder, ribs, sausage, and cheesy corn dip. Yes, it turned out great and the family was happy. It's hard to mess up pork on the smoker. This morning, Sunday, I decided that I really shouldn't pass up another opportunity for some exercise, and so I ran 3 miles. A little more sunshine today and plenty of humidity. The run involved a bit of walking, but not as bad as earlier this week. I kept it at that distance to make sure I didn't end up in the same boat, as well as at a very slow pace to keep the heart rate down. It all worked just fine and I still have the stamina left over to mow the lawn this afternoon. Today's run was a fitting end to a week off work before resuming the normal schedule tomorrow.

More Humidity

Missed Tuesday's run due to a road trip and got out this morning. Oh, the humidity! The first couple of miles went well. Then it devolved into about as much walking as running. There's a section running by the lake in the neighborhood to the north where the air gets kind of dead. That was rough. It reminds me of Happy Rock Park in Gladstone (see how they named it?) where the trail ran around the perimeter of an area in kind of a bowl. I could probably go back a dozen years or so to look at posts about how un-breezy it was in that park. I went 4 miles total today and felt like a wrung-out sponge by the time I got home. Still, I needed to sweat and get in some exercise. We haven't hit 100 degrees yet in north Texas and the forecast looks to be in the mid-90s for the foreseeable future. As usual, I won't let the heat stop me but there will be walking when needed.

Wedding Day

Our youngest is getting married today and what better time to go for a run? After all, the ceremony's not until later. I was going to the store this morning to get some last-minute items, but The Wife beat me to it, freeing me up to get out right away for a run. About 74 degrees when I set out with humidity in the 80% range. I took it nice and slow and enjoyed the breeze, which helped quite a bit with the moisture in the air. I ran 4 miles with a walk break at each mile marker. I thought there'd be more people out, and there were some, but I guess most folks didn't want to be up and about that early on a Saturday. It was a nice morning for a run and now it's a nice morning for coffee. And let's throw in a wedding to make it a day to remember.

Good Intentions and Wet Blankets

My intent today was to run five miles. Did I? Not even close. We've had more rain the last couple of days and that sent the humidity soaring. This morning it was 95% and dropped to 75% this afternoon. I started my run as usual and by the end of the first mile I felt like I could barely breathe. It was like someone had taken a hot, wet blanket and thrown it over my head and body. Not exactly the recipe for a successful run. Rather than push onward, I decided to walk back home. So I went 2 miles but only ran the first half. Not quite the outcome I wanted when I set out, but sometimes life doesn't always cooperate. Anyway, lots of family coming into town starting tonight for the wedding on Saturday and hoping to get in a run that morning before the blessed event. Not that I have to do much other than walk the bride down the aisle. And wear a suit and tie. I think I can handle it. 

Hills and Sweat

I ran the westerly route today, which is quite a bit hillier than the regular one to the east. The sky was overcast and a nice breeze came out of the south, plus it was not nearly as humid today as on Saturday. I ran 4 miles with the only walking being up the big hill at the corner of Ridge and Virgina Parkway. Other than that, I ran at a nice, easy pace. Nothing out of the ordinary on today's run. I mowed the lawn when I got home since rain is in the forecast over the next several days and the combination of sun and rain has the grass growing fast lately. Who knew? We have a wedding coming up on Saturday for our youngest, but it's later in the day and I'm hoping to get in a run that morning. Shouldn't be a problem unless it's raining. My sister is running a half in San Antonio, which sadly, I won't be able to join. Not that I'm in half-marathon shape right now anyway. Maybe later in the year.

In the Sauna

It must have sprinkled right before I left the house this morning since the streets and sidewalks were darker than normal, but not slick. They dried quickly and the air felt like soup. As I write this, at mid-afternoon, the humidity is 56% and adding ten degrees to the air temperature. When I ran, the humidity had to be at least 10% higher. The first couple of miles went okay and when I reached my turnaround point at 2.5 miles I was sweating like crazy. I saw a friend and walked with him for a half-mile before resuming my run. I went over 5.5 miles total, and I have to say that last mile I walked and ran as the spirit took me at any particular moment. The heart rate was up a little bit at that point and I decided I wasn't out to set any records, so pushing to the point of exhaustion seemed like a bad idea. Let's just say I felt like a bucket of sweat by the time I arrived home and a nap in the hammock seemed like the right thing to do. So, I did. Glad I went for a run, as usual, but it certainly felt like spending a bunch of time in a sauna.

Running Up That Hill

Have I used that title for a post before? If I have, it's been a few years and apologies for recycling it. If not, then disregard the apology. At least it's relevant. And yes, I get the Kate Bush reference in that particular title. I was a fan back in the '80s when that song first came out, several decades before Stranger Things made it a hit again. But I digress.

I ran this morning since there's rain in the forecast. Plus, it was only 70 degrees. And cloudy. With a bit of a breeze. Honestly, what better weather could you ask for on the fifth day of June? I clocked 4 miles without stopping. Yes, I even ran the big hill on Lake Forest. Slowly, but it felt all right. Cooler weather will do that to you. I thought above a five-miler, but decided I didn't want to be away from my laptop that long, so I traded the extra mile for a hill ascent. Nice day, good run.

Four in the Breeze

 Temperature this afternoon was 90 degrees with heat index of 98. At least there was a nice breeze from the south to cool me off when I ran that direction. Otherwise, I walked at each mile marker, as usual, and took it slower than normal. We had some partial clouds, maybe the harbinger of a storm later this evening. 4 miles and for the most part felt good. Tried to not push it too hard in the heat and I think I was successful in that effort. Humidity has definitely arrived and it looks like heat won't be far behind.