Scattered Thunderstorms

There were some storms in the area but fortunately not anything major in my neck of the woods. Other than a few sprinkles toward the end of the run it was just humid and a little windy from the south.

I felt like crap when I first started out, but then realized I feel like that almost every time. The reason is because the first tenth of a mile or so is a slight incline, which is a fun way to start a run. At least after that it's the big hill but going downhill instead of the reverse. Due to the humidity I won't say this was one of my best runs. In fact, it was pretty slow due to fatigue and just taking it slow. I went 5 miles. At the end I even picked up the pace. Maybe it was a better run than I thought.

Reset

Well, last week didn't turn out as planned, at least in the running sense. Too many other events and goings-on. I could have and should have run yesterday but decided to chill all day instead. Which brings us to today, which I'm viewing as somewhat of a reset. I ran 5 miles on a bright sunny day, with a nice breeze from the south. It was a little warm, but I ran into a guy I know from the pub. He was riding his bike and I, of course, was running slowly. We talked for a couple of minutes, and that was enough of a break for me. Overall it was a good outing, and nice that we seem to be finally out of the cold weather.

Trusting the Weather Forecast

The running joke is about how bad weather forecasts are. I was going to say forecasters, but I don't think the people themselves are bad, or at least not more per capita than the general population. Yesterday was very windy and cool, and when I looked at today's forecast it was much more pleasant. So I put my trust in the forecast and skipped yesterday, thinking I can run two days in a row (today and tomorrow).

For the most part, they were correct. The temperature was about right, 65 degrees, but the breeze was a little stiffer than they originally said. Nevertheless, waiting was still a good choice. I ran 5 miles, and thought about some intervals a couple of times but reined it in, especially if I'm going to run again tomorrow. Sometimes trusting the weatherman turns out to be okay.

Mild Sunday

Rain moved through here on Thursday and Friday, and then I spent yesterday finishing up some home improvement after having our kitchen redone the past couple of weeks. That led to a run today on nice Sunday afternoon, with a healthy north breeze and sunshine. The temperature was about 60 degrees. I wore a t-shirt over a long-sleeve technical shirt, and when I started out I thought it might be a bit much. However, when running into the breeze it was good to have, and when running with the breeze at my back it proved to not be too warm. I ran 6 miles, all the way to the lake at the park. Lots of people out around the water, with little kids on bikes, people laying out in the sun, and of course the dog walkers. I ran the whole way, other than the big hill, and overall felt good. It was a good relaxing run before the work week starts tomorrow.

Allergies Suck

It's a really nice evening, the kind in Texas that you have to enjoy when you get them. Unfortunately, pollen counts have been off the charts the past several weeks. I'd love to go sit outside on the patio, but I got my dose of pollen when I ran.

When I first started out I felt the general achiness all over that comes from allergies. I can best describe it as feeling like you have the flu every day. I pushed aside the thoughts of stopping and ended up going 5 miles. I'm glad I did, even though I'm suffering for it now. One of these days the pollen counts will decrease and I'll get back to normal, or as close as is possible when you're allergic to just about everything floating through the air. Sigh.

Windy Saturday

Nice wind out of the northwest today made the return route fun on my usual out-and-back. The temperature was in the upper 50s, almost a little too cool, but it worked out for my 6-miler. When The Wife and I went to the hardware store earlier in the morning it looked like there was a race along the path, but no signs of it by the time I got out there. If that's the case, it looks like racing is back and I need to make some plans.

Half the Wind

Today's breeze from the south was only 12 miles per hour or so, half of what it was a few days ago. The temperature was a degree or two over 80, which means I walked every mile for a minute. As usual that turned out to be the way to go, and even though I felt like it was a tough run at times I still got in my 5 miles. I could feel my breathing was affected by allergies, and even after I got out of the shower I could hear my throat whistling due to a little bit of constriction. Allergies are not for the weak. I'm hoping this pollen will go away sometime soon. Wishful thinking, I know.

Kansas Wind in Texas

Today it is ultra-windy in Texas, just like last week when I was in Kansas. The wind was out of the south at 25 mph with gusts up to 35+. I walked most of the last mile since it was against the wind, and part of it up a big hill. Overall I went 5 miles, feeling at times alternately good and like I had concrete shoes on my feet. It was also 80 degrees and a little humid, so there were other bouts of walking, too. Overall it was decent enough, not bad for the second run of the week as I try to get back into shape.

Bunny Run

That's what Daughter #2 called my outing on Easter Sunday - Bunny Run. I wanted to run today after not doing any more after last Monday, although I did go on a 3-mile hike on Wednesday in the wind and with a few steep hills along the way.

Today I kept it simple, going 4 miles and trying to get back in the rhythm. It was overcast, temperature in the 50s, and a little breezy. Actually a good day for a run.