Last Run of 2017

It seemed fitting to run 10 miles for the last run of the year of my tenth marathon. So that's what I dd.

The temperature definitely helped. It was about 40 degrees, which as I've said before is actually pretty good running weather. Plus I did three German lessons on my iPod. One way or another I'm gong to be ready for the trip next summer.

Cold and Hills

The temperature climbed up to 39 degrees today. Funny to think about how relative these things are. When I lived in KC a temperature like this would have been a warm day compared to single digits and negative wind chills like they're experiencing now. In Texas it's just cold and I layered up for today's 6-mile hill run.

Once again the cold actually helped out as I attacked the hills. It was nice to go a different route for a change. Another good run to help close out the year.

Cold but Good

Temperature this afternoon reached a high of 37 degrees. I went out earlier to get a battery for the van and it was misty, windy, and cold. At least the mist and wind settled down an hour or so later, and even though I considered taking the day off there really wasn't any reason to do so. After all, I've run in worse and I also have cold-weather gear still. I re-started my German lessons on this one since there was basically nobody else out today. I went my usual 6-mile route and it was a good outing. When there's no wind that's actually a bearable temperature if you're dressed right.

Christmas Eve Eve Run

I waited until the afternoon and a nicer temperature than the freezing weather of the morning. It was upper 40s, maybe even 50 degrees, when I ran my 8 miles. It turned out to be great weather for running. My pace stayed in the low 9's and I enjoyed the cloudless sky and lots of sun. A few people were out, but not many, mostly people walking their dogs. I saw several runners multiple times as I circled the park south of Virginia twice. The breeze was out of the north but even with the coolness I was able to break a little bit of a sweat. Hard to believe there are only a few more running opportunities left this year.

Winter Solstice Run

I missed Tuesday's run due to a quick trip to Austin and back the next day. Today I was off work and went running about 10 a.m. before the temperature went up all the way to 72 degrees. It was a nice easy 6-mile run with an overall pace in the low 9's. Guess I'll find out one of these days when I sync my GPS. I'm enjoying these runs in cooler weather.

Saturday Outing

Yesterday was a smoking day but before I put the pork on the smoker I went for a 9-miler. The morning started out pretty cool, probably in the low 40s, and I wore a hat and gloves. By the time I got to mile six I was heating up as the sun came out and warmed things up. That's why we dress in layers, kids. After the run and on my cooldown walk in the neighborhood I saw The Wife out with the dogs. She'd just left the house and I smiled because she was way overdressed. She gave me her scarf and gloves as well as the sweaters the dogs were wearing. They were probably happy to give those up. If dogs could look embarrassed at being dressed up like that was the expression they wore.

Winter Sun

Another nice Texas winter day, although it's not officially winter yet, yesterday. I ran the usual 6-mile route. Even though I wasn't quite as speedy as Tuesday it was still a good run overall. Not much else to say about it other than I enjoyed getting out on a nice sunny day with cool temperatures.

Loving Texas

This is one of those December days where I love living in Texas. The temp was cool, around 50, with a north wind that made it feel about 5 degrees cooler. But the sun was out and overall it was good. My pace was fairly quick, at least for me, in the low 9's with an overall pace of 9:16/minute for the 6 miles. Even fewer people out today than Saturday, which is not unusual. Felt good and enjoyed the nice day.

A Good Day to Run

On this fine Saturday I waited until almost noon to run since it was much colder at dawn. The strategy paid off. The sun was out, the temperature was up to 52 degrees, and the even the northwest wind didn't slow me down. All things considered it was a good day for a long run of 8 miles. That might be pushing it after several off days in the past three or four weeks, but the conditions were right and I could have gone more. Not a whole lot of people out, which was odd at midday on a nice Saturday, but that's their loss, not mine.

A Cold One

This morning I think I had every right to stay in bed and skip running: up until almost midnight working, temperature was 34 degrees, wind out of the northeast, etc. But it's been a week since I ran because I was out of town over the weekend with the guys, so I forced myself out. Plus it's not like I don't have the gear for running in the cold after living in KC for so many years. I'm glad I hit the pavement. I went my normal 6 miles and it wasn't actually too bad. I've run in worse. My knee felt better after I ran, although this evening it's a little sore. I've done some ankle weight exercises the past few days, and my right hamstring was also barking. That imbalance was apparently causing some problems. Whatever the case, I want to finish the year strong.