Still Trying

My Saturday run went the way of many other recent runs - I skipped it. I kept feeling more and more congested after my delayed plane flight on Wednesday, no doubt from sitting on the plane for over three hours because of delays instead of the hour it should have taken. My sinuses dried out and the I'm sure I caught a little something from all the recirculated air. Instead of getting up to run on Saturday morning I turned off the alarm and slept another three hours. By the time the alarm went off this morning I felt much better. I ran my 4 miles and felt pretty good the whole way, much better than the last outing. Hoping to get in all my planned runs this week.

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.

Lower Humidity

I could tell when I walked out the door this morning that the humidity was lower. I was initially taken aback by the holes in the front bed where some creature apparently dug for food overnight, and then in the neighbor's yard where you could see tracks of the critter in the dew-covered grass. Still, the drop in humidity from 90% to about 85% was noticeable, and made the run that much more enjoyable. I went my 4 miles and felt good. Ran up the big hill and think I'm going to add a little more distance on Saturday. Plus within a couple of weeks I'm going to have to get up earlier to beat the sun, but that's a good problem to have.

Moist

As is the standard lately, the morning was humid. I ran my 4 miles and was drenched in sweat by the end. I walked up the big hill because my heart rate was up even though I kept the run slow. I'd planned on running yesterday (Monday) morning but when my alarm went off an extra 1.5 hours of sleep seemed like the better option. One of these weeks I'm going to get back to running four times.

Building Up

The humidity remains high, especially in the early morning, but I still got my 4 miles in today. Ran the same route as Tuesday and hoping to build up the mileage in the coming weeks. Not sure if the humidity will go down much, but hopefully my tolerance will go up.

Good Tuesday Run

It was a good Tuesday run even though the humidity was high and the breeze was next to nonexistent. I ran my (lately) usual 4 miles, but this time on the way back I took a right at the pond and stuck to the treeline and the shade. The distance worked out exactly the same and I think that might be my new route, especially during summer. For the first time in forever I listened to a podcast, and I think the change-up made the run go better, at least in my mind. I ran the whole way once again.

More of the Same

This morning was eerily similar to Thursday morning's run, except with less of a breeze. I got up early - on a Saturday! - and ran my 4 miles in the high humidity. This time, though, I was able to run the whole way without walking. I'd like to get back to a point of running six every time, but the humidity's going to have to drop for that to happen, especially on weekday runs.

Off the Couch

First time to run in a week, and it sure felt like it. I read the latest issue of Runner's World this past week and that had me itching to get outside. As I said in my last post, I certainly spent a lot of time on the couch and finally figured that one week out from cyst removal it was time to get off the couch.

I went 4 miles, which seems to be the standard lately with all the humidity. And yes, it was over 90% humidity at 6:15 this morning. I was sweating profusely by the time I'd gone a quarter-mile, although at the time I figured that just because of my recent inactivity. Not true. I walked the distance of three telephone poles just after mile three, and then up the big hill. I wanted to go the whole way but know  when my heart starts beating that fast that it's time to back off. At least there was a breeze, but it wasn't enough to offset the humidity.

It's nice to be back in the game. No idea when the humidity will let up after all the rain from the past couple of months. Maybe November.

Fogged Sunglasses

I remember seeing Fogged Sunglasses open for Simple Minds back in '87...

Seriously though, folks, I ran in the early morning hours again but as has been standard lately the humidity was very high. Before I'd reached the end of my warmup walk my sunglasses started fogging, and by the time I reached the halfway point of the run there was no point in wearing them any more. I ran 4 miles and was glad to get it in before having some bumps removed from my back this morning, which means I can't run until next week. Guess I'll have to practice my couch potato skills for a few days.

A Little More Humidity

On Tuesday morning I was hoping it would be less humid, but I was wrong. It actually wasn't as horrible as it has been, and I went 4 miles. A good run, ran all the way, and it was good. Let's do it again on Thursday.