Just to Sweat

Today I walked 2 miles, no running. My goal was just to get out and sweat a little bit. Yesterday was a smoking day - pork, ribs, sausage, and jalapeno poppers. My goal for this session was to sweat out a little of the food and drink. With a temperature of 94 degrees and heat index of 104, I'd say it ended up being successful. Strangely enough, at four in the afternoon nobody else seemed to be out exercising. Huh. The one guy I saw walking got picked up by someone. Anway, I made my goal, even if it was pretty lame.

Four in the 80s

Ran 4 miles today and temperature had only risen to the low 80s by 8:15 when I headed out the door. It really wasn't too bad, with some shade in spots. I walked a minute per mile at the mile markers, as I do, and that helped. The three-minute walk at mile three was really nice when I turned the corner to head south and the breeze hit me full-on. That felt good. Lots of sweating. Then I came home and trimmed and mowed the lawn. Even more sweating. All good, though, and it felt good to get the running and chores out of the way before it got up to 99 degrees this afternoon. We're in the dog days of July and I'm going to take any chance I can to get out early.

Hell is Coming

The temperatures are on the rise and it looks like hell is on its way to north Texas. Today actually wasn't horrible, topping out at 98 degrees. When I ran this morning it was twelve degrees cooler, which now seems like a wise decision. We're supposed to hit the 100-degree mark next week for several days in a row. I did a nice, relaxed 3-miler today and overall felt good even though I didn't sleep well last night. Took too long to fall asleep and I started waking up off and on a little after five. Not my favorite way to spend a night, but to my surprise, it didn't affect my run as negatively as I expected. Hopefully I can get out again in the morning hours on Thursday. Don't know about Saturday, though, as I'm planning on a smoking day: pork, ribs, and sausage. If I start waking up early again I might hit the path; otherwise, I could push it to Sunday. We'll see how the weekend goes.

Out Early

I got up about seven this morning and quickly headed out for a run. It actually felt pleasant since some high clouds covered the sun for the first mile or so. And only 77 degrees on its way to 95 today. Seemed prudent to run early rather than wasting a few hours and getting caught in higher temperatures and humidity. I ran 4 miles and only walked two minutes at the halfway point. Lots of people out with their dogs today as well as some other runners and cyclists. I ran along the path by the big pond on the way out and then took the route back through the neighborhood for some variety and shade. 90 minutes afterward I've had my breakfast and am sitting on the patio with coffee and a morning cigar. Very relaxing and a feeling of accomplishment to start the day. Plus, I wrote over a thousand words in the book I'm working on. Not a bad way to begin a pleasant Saturday morning.

Long Game

Today was hot and humid. Looks like the typical Texas summer has arrived. 94 degrees with 104 heat index, and the forecast shows we'll get to 100 degrees air temperature next week. I didn't get out today until late afternoon and decided to ease into it. I went 2 miles total, with the first mile running and the second mostly walking with a brief interlude of running. I need to acclimate a little and this was the start. Not that the past few months have been cool, but running in July and August needs to be more thoughtful. Plus, I needed to mow the lawn and no use totally wearing myself out. I could have run more, but I'm playing the long game here.

Returned

Last week was a bust for running due to medical issues with my parents and a crappy work schedule. I'm back from Kansas, though, and ready to run. I got out the door today while the temperature was still in the 80s instead of the high of 94 we're aimed toward. Plenty humid and I ran 3 miles, with a walk at the mile markers as well as a brief stop talking to a friend who routinely walks the same path. Overall I felt good and it was nice to get out the door again. Last night my youngest daughter and her husband came over for dinner and she asked if I wanted to run a half-marathon with her in October. I said no, I don't really want to train that hard this summer. Then overnight I proceeded to dream about running a half on the spur of the moment with her, which included wearing my normal shorts instead of ones made for running, running through a big building with a lot of hallways, and having to skirt a bear in a clearing that acted friendly but also seemed dangerous. Ah, the randomness of dreams. That's as close to a half as I'm going to get for the moment.

Independence Day Running

This is apparently the second year in a row I've run on the Fourth of July. Normally, I wouldn't run on a Friday, but due to my slipped schedule this week it worked out for me to do another 4 miles on the Fourth. I'd say it was humid outside and offer as proof my sunglasses fogging up during the run. I did my usual walk at each mile marker and that was once again the correct choice. Saw several others out running as well as some walkers and cyclists. I merged onto a path behind a guy not going much faster than me and when I did my walk he got ahead. I caught him when he started walking and I upped my pace a little since he started running again right as I passed. No need for the path to be blocked by two middle-aged slow guys running a turtle race. Now it's on to family time, which involves going out for lunch. Not sure what's for dinner but tomorrow definitely involves smoking a brisket.

Slipping a Day

This week I decided to let the running slip by a day. It works out better with my schedule as well as the holiday on Friday. Today I did a morning 3-mile run. Hard to believe we've already made it halfway through the year, but at least I've been running the whole time. I was talking with my dad this morning after he went for a walk and commented how hot it was. I told him that's why I run slow and build in walk breaks. I'm not out to win a race or prove anything on these runs. Maybe a half-marathon (or even a full) again one of these days, but not right now. Currently, it's a maintenance thing. As I've mentioned before, this is how I justify eating steaks and drinking beer. Plus, it's swimsuit season and some of us have to maintain our dad bods.