Covid Run

I started feeling feverish Tuesday evening, and kept waking up with aches and trying to get comfortable. I had a fever into Wednesday evening as well, but by Thursday morning I felt great. About 99% sure it was the virus since the FVRP and I rode back from Oklahoma together on Sunday and on Monday morning he woke up with a fever and tested positive. I chose to not get tested since overall it was so mild. Last night I took a muscle relaxer and wow, did I sleep a lot better. Today I felt good enough to go for a 4-mile run. It went okay and so far no ill effects.

I did notice this morning at one point that my right knee was resting on the lip of the mattress, right where I've had sensitivity and pain in that knee. Maybe that's part of my problem. I'll try and make sure that's not happening so I can avoid hurting myself while I sleep.

Election Run

 I thought it had been two weeks since my last run, but it was only twelve days. Regardless, I still took it somewhat easy, going only 4 miles and throwing in some walks. The temperature was a lovely 75 degrees and the sun was shining, although it was setting with the stupid time change taking place last Sunday. The run went well. It was nice to get back out there, especially since today is U.S. Election Day. Last weekend was our annual guys' trip, and I spent four glorious days, Thursday all the way to Monday morning, without looking at work emails, news sites, Twitter, or TV news. As far as a mental health break goes, it was just what I needed. Highly recommended.

Better Outing

Still pretty warm today but felt better overall. That breeze out of the south helped again. My knees were okay, no issues, and I've been wearing my knee sleeve the past couple of days but didn't on the actual 5-miler. It was a long day of phone calls, and nice to get outdoors and feel some freedom for a bit.

Laziness

 No excuse for not running on Saturday other than laziness. Today I ran 5 miles, 85 degrees outside, and it went pretty well with a walk every mile. I wore the sleeve on my left knee and overall both knees felt okay. I feel like neither has been 100% over the past several days. Every so often I'll take a step and there's a bit of tenderness, or sometimes even a pop. That's a little alarming. I keep thinking I need to go to the running shop and see what other options there are but I just haven't done it yet. I also need to go do early voting but I haven't done that, either. So many things to do...

Not Mixing It Up

 I wore the sleeve on my left knee again and did not mix it up today. The temperature was way lower, in the 60s with a stiff breeze, so I ran the whole way at a pretty decent pace. The knees still felt good. I think wearing the sleeve during the day about four hours each knee is helping. The 5 miles today was consistent and felt strong.

Dealing With It

I have a knee sleeve that I bought either last year or earlier this one. It might be a compression sleeve if it was a size smaller, but overall it works pretty well without causing discomfort. I wore it yesterday for four hours on my left knee and another four on the right. Today I did the same. Then when I ran I moved it to the left and hoped it would help. It did.

The tenderness I felt on Saturday was nowhere around me today. I went 5 miles, with walks every mile because it was over 80 degrees, and it was a great run. I have to admit to being a little bit surprised. I think it helped me maintain a good stride, and I plan on doing the same routines over the next couple of days.

I might even wear it on the right knee for my next run just to mix it up a little.

LaFortune Run

 The Wife and I went to Tulsa for our anniversary weekend. I ate too much food, but at least I did get a little bit of a run in while we were there. Yesterday morning I ran around LaFortune Park, which I have not done in...I don't know. It's been awhile. I only went around once since my left knee was acting all tender again. That meant I ran 3.5 miles according to my GPS. I walked a couple of times and then finally got back in stride again by running faster. I need to look at my shoes and maybe order a new pair. Shoes have always been the issue when my knees get gimpy. I'm starting to wonder if the Asics I've worn for the past 15 years or so have evolved to where they no longer work for me. Perhaps a visit to the running store is in order.

That Same Twinge

 I was fine on today's run, walking every mile because it was 85 degrees, until after my walk at the third mile. I started down the slight slope and felt the left knee acting all tender again, like a moonstruck teenager. Okay, that was uncalled for. Nevertheless, I walked the last half-mile of the 5 miles. I might take a couple of days off. We'll see how it feels tomorrow and the day after.

I did notice that as I continued running my posture affected whether or not I could feel the twinge in my knee. As I went on I felt my shoulders hunching forward just a tiny bit, but when I pulled them back and ran more upright I couldn't feel any pain in my knees. I've noticed my bad posture when sitting at my desk all day, and obviously it's something I'll have to work on more as I'm running, too.

More Than a Feeling

 This was one of those mornings where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. I got up and dressed for a run, and then was sitting at my desk inventorying my aches. My hip hurt, right knee was tender, a little pain in the lower back, etc. I was all decked out and ready to go when I thought well, maybe I should skip it today. Let all these things that feel bad have a rest. And in that moment I figured I should at least get out the door and if something wasn't right then at least I could walk a few miles. Plus it was only 60 degrees and perfect for a run. 

Needless to say, it actually turned out great. I ran 6 miles and as I've done in the past I kicked up the pace a little to try and do something different. I ended up at a 9:30 pace for the whole run, which all things considered wasn't bad. Not super-fast - in fact I got passed multiple times - but it kept those aching parts on their toes. As it were. I'm glad I didn't listen to the complaints or the feeling that I should stay home. Then I cut down two bushes in the front yard before lunch. So much for feeling bad, but that sense of accomplishment helps.

A Little Twinge

I did 5 miles again today. The first couple I felt like I was struggling with my stride to make sure it was in line and using glutes for power. At the two-mile mark I walked for a minute to reboot. Everything was fine until I walked up the big hill toward the end  and started to run when it became level again. My left knee immediately barked at me and I stopped after just a couple of steps. I walked the last quarter-mile. I don't think it's bad, though. It felt fine during the walk and tomorrow is a rest day. We'll see how it goes Saturday.

Midday Tuesday Run

 What a beautiful day! The thermometer was in the low 60s when I got out at lunch time today for a 5-miler. Sunny, a nice breeze from the north, and no stopping along the route for any walks. After missing a weekend run it was nice to get out on a gorgeous day that was almost autumnal until the temperature hit 81 this afternoon. Oh well, it'll get here eventually.

Back Up

 Today the temperature in the afternoon was back up around 80 degrees. I thought about trying to run it straight through but realized I don't get any bonus points for it. So I walked every mile and it was the right choice. After I walked up the big hill I ran the last quarter-mile or so at a faster pace to finish up the 5 miles. Overall I felt good and having consistency in my running game is certainly helping. As the temperatures start ratcheting down I'm hoping to get back to my six-mile runs as the standard. I feel like I'm almost there; I just need the weather to cooperate.

Cooler and Moister

 A little bit rainy yesterday and today, which made it humid this afternoon. It was misty when I walked out the door so I had to step back inside and leave the sunglasses behind. The temperature was down to the high 60s. It was nice enough overall, though, that I was able to run the whole 5 miles (except for the big hill) without walking. My left knee felt a little tender yesterday but today it felt okay. I'm keeping an eye on it, as it were.

Sunday Funday

 I was going to wait until later in the day to run, but this morning was really nice and plus I was motivated. So I headed out about 10:30 and ran 6 miles. Even though the temperature was mild I still didn't feel like I could go without walking, and I walked every mile. At mile 4 for some reason I felt like I was laboring and took about a 4-minute walk instead of 90 seconds or so. It helped, and I finished the run in good shape. Lots of people out on this Sunday morning a couple of days before the official start of autumn.

Different Day, Same Run

Nearly identical to Tuesday's run, except that the remnants of a hurricane trailed out of the northeast and blocked the sun for a good portion. Not a bad thing. I also tweaked my left knee running out of the neighborhood and coming off a curb. It was tender on the downhill in front of the school, but once I reached level ground it was okay. For the rest of the 5 miles I didn't notice any more issues.

Not Quite Ready

Back to Texas running, and temperature in the upper 80s. I'm not quite ready to run continuously in this heat and humidity so I walked every mile for about 90-120 seconds. It worked out well, and I went 5 miles, with a short walk before and after. I'm slowly returning to normal and as soon as the weather starts cooling to levels that I experienced last week in Kansas then I can get back to running without breaks. And hopefully getting back to my regular six-milers.

Another Nice One in Kansas

This morning was perfect for running - sunshine, no wind, and temp in the mid-50s. I'm still in Kansas and enjoying the weather. I was going to add an extra mile this morning but I thought it best to stay at 5 miles since once again I ran without breaks. No need to tempt fate. Plus my GPS was about to die. Not that that should be the overriding factor, but it helped me make up my mind. I went three times around the park a block south of my parents' house, and then up the road to the recreation fields for a loop. I kept the pace sustainable, starting slow as my legs tried to wake up and then regular for the rest. This week it's back to Texas where the highs will be in the 80s, if you can believe the weatherman.

Kind of Cool

 This week in Kansas it really didn't get as cold as I thought. Or maybe it just didn't feel that cold since I stayed inside most of the time. Regardless, today was about perfect running weather. Temperature was in the high 50s with a breeze out of the east. It was also the first time I've run 5 miles without breaks since...I don't remember when. Amazing what cooler weather can do. I never felt like I was pushing it even though my pace at times was in the 9:30 range. A really good run on a really cool day.

Before the Cold

 I am in Wamego this week spending time with my parents and family. The temperature is supposed to plummet overnight and rain into Saturday. I thought it would be best to get out and run before the weather turned bad. Plus I was at the lake with my sister and we stayed out way too late...or early, as in 4 a.m. I was not at my best for this run, plus it's 95 degrees. But I wanted to sweat it out a little bit so I ran a couple of miles and then walked the rest for a total of about 3.5 miles. Again, not one of my best but definitely worth the time.

Between the Rains

 Lots of rain here in north Texas over the last couple of days, which is not a bad thing. Yesterday was out of the question with heavy rains and lightning, but today it broke in the early afternoon. Plus the temperature was in the low 70s, which helped because the humidity was up. I went 5 miles, starting at my normal point. It was a good, easy run and I walked at all the normal points. It was nice to get out between all the storms.