Round and Round

Still in Kansas and still running in circles. I did another four laps around the sports complex and got in 4 miles. The heat is only about 89 degrees and humidity is not bad at all. I still walked every mile and that worked out well. I'm still working on Spanish lessons and up to Lesson 15. I have to listen to each one about three or four times to get it. Guess that's what happens as you get older. Maybe it'll click one of these days.

Back to KS

We drove up to Kansas on Saturday and spent the last couple of days hanging out with family. Today was a nice mild 93 degrees and I ran 4 miles around the sports complex. That was four times around with a little extra to get to an even number. I was going to go five times but figured the extra half-mile wouldn't really make any difference to my overall fitness. Such as it is.

Glad I Waited

My original plan was to run yesterday afternoon but I ended up working late and then making dinner. I decided to wait until this morning, a Friday off, to run. Once again I got distracted with a few other things and thought maybe I wouldn't be able to run, but I got it in and was glad I waited. The temperature was only about 80 degrees, a little humid, but still better than what I've been dealing with the last couple of weeks. I ran 4 miles with the usual walk breaks. Lots of sweat, of course, but all in all a good outing.

97 Again

It was 97 degrees with heat index of 107 again today. It should have gone better but my left knee felt a little off and I didn't want to do anything to hurt it. So I went 3 miles with a little bit of walking. Not great, but once again at least I got out to sweat a little bit. Especially since I missed Saturday due to smoking all day and then recovering from the glutton-fest on Sunday. At least the brisket, ribs, sausage, poppers, and tri-tip were all excellent. It's a good thing I don't do that every weekend. 

Strangely Good

97 temperature, 103 heat index. 4 miles and I only walked at the usual spots that I do on hot days. And strangely enough, it was a good run. Maybe because of the nice breeze from the south, but overall I felt strong. Could also be my low-mileage day on Tuesday and not pressing it then. Whatever the case, the heat didn't get to me today and in the aftermath I still feel fine, not beat up. That's nice heading into the weekend.

Just Getting Out

Heat index today was 105 with no clouds in the sky so I figured it would be an accomplishment just to get out the door. I did, and I pretty much went by feel instead of trying to accomplish a certain amount of distance or running. I went 3 miles total, and probably a little more than half of that was at a running pace. I walked the last mile. It seemed like the right thing to do.

On the Back Side

We're on the back side of summer, especially this one that's overall been pretty mild. Hard to believe we're in the latter days of August already. All the rain this past week jacked up the humidity and this morning was, in a word, moist. I was amazed, though, at how low the creeks were already. We had a couple of inches over several days, so maybe this is a sign that our drainage system through the creeks out to the big lakes is working correctly. I wouldn't bet on it. The parks have flooded several times since we moved here and I don't think there has been that much work on the system.

I ran 6 miles with an extra walk thrown in at about the 4.5-mile mark. That's still the tough part of the route with the breeze at your back. It's almost like the air is still since you don't get any cooling effect. I also walked the last block or so since The Wife was out walking and our paths intersected after I'd come back into the neighborhood. No complaints here on getting to spend a few unexpected minutes with her. Now we're off to the rest of the weekend.

A Little Rain

We've had a little rain here this week. And by a little, I mean a lot. It came down big time on Tuesday and finally moved out for good this morning. That creek that was low last weekend is not so low any more. Which means it was ultra-humid here today. Plus it felt like it had been forever since I ran, so I went 3 miles and called it good. Too much work and too much rain. Glad it's almost the weekend.

Nice Morning

It's been hot and humid here this week, as is normal in Texas. I missed a Thursday run due to a work commitment, so I was bound and determined to get out today. I went 6 miles on a nice sunny morning with a temperature around 80 degrees. The humidity was still present, but overall it was normal. Saw plenty of people out along the path. We have a chance of rain later on, which would be good since parts of the creek are almost dry. At one point I saw a drain in the creek bed that I didn't even know was there. We had plenty of rain earlier in the year but it's been few and far between, again as normal.

Three in the Summer

Today I knew I needed to get out, but it's 96 degrees with a 105 degree heat index. My solution was to only go 3 miles. It worked pretty well. I sweated a lot, got some exercise, and didn't collapse from heat stroke. Genius!

Pre-emptive Laziness

Maybe a run on Thursday would have gone well. I was out a little late on Wednesday night, had trouble getting to sleep, woke up several times after that, and awakened early to work on my book. History has taught me that's a sign that I'm going to be on the struggle bus if I try to run. I took the chicken's way out and decided to mow the lawn instead.

This morning, Saturday, was a decent outing. I went 6 miles with walks every mile. I seem to have a mental block on that penultimate mile that meanders northwest around the big pond. It's usually with the breeze at my back and therefore I don't get any cooling relief during that particular mile. Once I round the corner back onto Lake Forest and go south I get a full-on breeze and it feels great. So today I made a conscious effort to run that mile and not walk halfway through. I did it.

The only downside to today's run was the last .17 mile as I entered the neighborhood. I walked up the Big Hill, as usual, and then as I turned into the neighborhood I felt a little nauseous. Nothing major, but enough to say it's time to walk it in. Maybe it was all the coffee. Or the humidity. Or something else.

A Wee Bit Better

Today the heat index was only +3 degrees over the regular temperature, as opposed to +8 to +10 that we've been experiencing. That actually makes a difference. Plus we had a little bit of cooling yesterday down to the low 90s. I actually felt good on today's run, with the usual walks, but didn't feel like I needed extra ones. I went 5 miles. Still listening to Spanish and am making some progress. I usually listen to the previous one plus a new one, although the last few I've listened to about three times before finally making the move to a new one. Regardless, it's progress.

More Sogginess

The humidity is still high, especially...well, all day. This morning I got up and wrote for an hour or so, and then went for a 5-mile run. The temperature was in the mid-80s by then and heat index well into the 90s. At this point in the year my goal is to just get out and sweat. I certainly attained that goal today. After cooling off on the back patio I wrung out my shirt into the yard. The Wife said, "Yuck." I did plenty of walking, probably a mile total out of all that. With basically no breeze it was tough to cool down even in the shade.

Reining It In

I missed Tuesday due to a work commitment, and then today was, in a word, hot. 97 degrees with heat index of 106. So I reined it in today, running slow and only 4 miles. That seemed like the prudent thing to do. Strangely enough, I saw only one other person out running. It almost makes me think it wasn't a good day to run, but I don't need that kind of negativity in my life.

Tough Road

The road itself wasn't tough, but today's run was. I ran in the morning, as I tend to do on a Saturday. The temperature was in the mid 80s and so was the humidity. I went 7 miles total. The first half was pretty good, but the second was not as good. I walked plenty. Overall it wasn't horrible, and I got in plenty of sweating. We've had a mild summer so far in Texas, and that's over. The temperatures are ratcheting up and we're supposed be in the 100 degree vicinity for the foreseeable future. Can't complain too much, though, since this usually hits earlier in the summer. Walking whenever needed is the way to get through it.

Running in Spanish

I think the Spanish lessons I've been listening to are distracting me from the heat. Today it was 90 degrees with a heat index of 98, and I went through two Spanish lessons on my run. It seemed easier today, so either I'm getting used to the heat or the distraction is working. Whatever the case, I went 5 miles and it was a good, strong run. Oh, and another factor might have been the clouds shielding the sun for most of it. I guess it was just a confluence of helpful things resulting in a good day.

A Slight Dip

Today saw a slight dip in the temperature and head index - 88 and 91 respectively. Not bad considering we had a downpour yesterday afternoon that turned our street into a river for a while. A remnant of a puddle across the path paid a nice reminder to the storm. I went 5 miles once again and it did feel somewhat easier with the heat index a good 8-9 degrees lower than normal. I'm happy to be exercising regularly again and hope to keep it up for the foreseeable future with no interruptions planned due to vacation or work.

Toughing it Out

Ran this morning and it was nice and humid. It was kind of a tough run but I soldiered through and made it 5 miles. In fact, it was a little bit longer since I found The Wife out walking and I spent an extra .3 miles with her. It was actually a nice cooldown and of course I like spending time with her. I did tell her that I had seen her walking up the big hill in front of the school and I was going to run and catch up with her but I didn't feel that running the hill was in my best interests. She understood.

Hot with a Side of Walking

Pretty much the same temperature and conditions as yesterday, but I did walk a little less today. Amazing what a few nights of good sleep can do to help out a body. I went the usual 5 miles with the usual walk breaks. Yesterday I had a few extended walks and didn't run once I was near the neighborhood. I'm trying to get back into the exercise routine quickly, with no excuses. I probably sweated out a gallon but once again, that's a good thing.

Too Long

Went on a trip to Chicago late last week and ended up being too long since my last run. I intended to run yesterday but when we returned the RV my buddy's truck died. Like flames comin gout of the engine died. So I finally got out today when it was 92 degrees with heat index of 99. Yes, I went 5 miles. Yes, I walked probably a good half-mile out of all that. But it was good to get out and sweat. 

Holiday Weekend

It was a good four-day weekend and I should have run more. Instead, I frittered away the decent weather by sitting outside most of the time and relaxing. Our power went out Friday and didn't come on until the early morning hours of Saturday, which meant I wasn't in good shape to run that morning. And then yesterday I was just lazy.

Today was nice with a moderate temperature, especially for Texas in July. A little juicy outside (humidity-wise, I mean) but not horrible. I went 5 miles and did my walking bit starting at the two-mile mark. Time for a little more relaxation before the work week starts back up tomorrow.

Yes, It's Summer in Texas

Today's stats: 5 miles, 95 degrees, 103 heat index. As usual I walked every mile. There wasn't much of a breeze, which would have helped tremendously. Supposedly it was supposed to rain both yesterday and today, but so far not a drop. Oh well. It's the start of a long weekend and time for some relaxation.

Slow and Steady

Temperature in the mid-80s today but lots of humidity. I took it slow, listened to Spanish lessons, and went 5 miles with the pre-planned walks. A lot of sweat, but as always it's worth it to get out and enjoy a run.

Car Problems

A few days late posting this on my Saturday morning run, but first let's back up a little bit. I was planning on running Thursday, had my stuff out and intended on going during the morning since I had time. Unfortunately my daughter, who is on a road trip, had car problems. I ended up spending most of the day buying a car from a dealership in Wyoming. Fortunately we live in a world where I could talk to them from Texas, view options online, and sign documents over the internet. 

Which brings us to Saturday, when I ran 6 miles that morning. The temperature was in the low 80s but there was a very good breeze out of the south, as well as some cloud cover. Due to those conditions I broke my rule about walking every mile and ran continuously until the five-mile mark, at which point the sun started peeking out and making things a little uncomfortable. All in all a good run, though.

Hello, Bobcat

Nothing like getting up close and personal with a bobcat. I decided to do the hill run today. Even though it's mid-June, the temperature was only 85 degrees this afternoon. I took the opportunity to go west instead of east for my 5 miles.

Once you get up Ridge a bit there's a path that descends down to the creek and under the bridge before hugging the backend of a neighborhood. It's a nice path with good shade at this time of day. The grass along the path has grown up a bit and the trees need to be trimmed back, with some low branches haning particularly low and into the path. On my return route I came upon a bobcat that was jus toff the path and about four feet away from me. He stopped and looked at me. I looked at him and kept running, with a few glances over my shoulder. I guess he thought I wasn't worth the meat on my bones. Whatever the case, I'm glad he didn't react to me as a threat when I passed him. Kind of weird to see him so close to a neighborhood, but I've seen stories of them around this area. I'd be okay to not see another.

Back from Cabo

Spent the last week in Cabo san Lucas, and no, I did not run while I was there. I tried to keep a rein on the food intake but I wouldn't say I was entirely successful in that regard. We arrived home late last night, and I planned on running this morning to get back into the swing of things. Fortunately the humidity is down from the last time I ran. When I went out today it was not even 90 degrees yet, and heat index only added about three degrees to the total. I went 5 miles with a walk every mile. Felt pretty good to be out exercising again. It was really nice to do nothing all day, every day, on vacation, but real life is about to intrude. Gotta go make the money so we can go on vacations.

Plenty of the Humidity

The weather app said it was 90 degrees and felt like 102 when I went out for today's run. And I'll be honest, I thought about not going. Work has been super busy this week and kicked my butt, and being lazy would have gone right along with how I felt. Then I realized I need to get out and sweat a little bit, so that's what I did. With the humidity that high I walked plenty and often. Of the 5 miles, I probably walked at least 3/4 of a mile, and maybe a little bit more. Being that I'm still ramping up for summer since overall it's been unseasonably mild lately, that seemed to be the right choice.

Even Moister

More rain over the weekend, including a big thunderstorm yesterday. That meant today was humid plus a temperature around 90 degrees. The heat index was about 98. I ran the hill route and walked for a minute every mile, plus a few seconds extra. About .8 miles from home I walked an extra minute or so due to what I think was elevated heart rate. Huh, imagine that. Anyway, I got in my 5 miles and some badly needed exercise.

Enjoying the Humidity

It rained into this morning, but cleared enough for me to go run by 11. Unfortunately the sun started coming out in spurts, meaning that the humidity spiked. I went 6 miles, shortening the planned distance by a mile and then walking at the mile markers starting halfway through. The path was a little flooded in places, but that didn't seem to stop plenty of folks from being out. I missed Thursday's run due to a concert, which was really nice since it's been awhile. Today is also a music festival, and it sure is nice to see live music again.

Another Hill Outing

Once again I went for the hills. This was somewhat because of rain the past couple of days and there is probably flooding along the more level path. I had bad allergies again on Sunday, which then kind of knocked me out yesterday. I was still feeling the effects today, and of course thought about doing a really short run. But then I realized the temperature was only 70 degrees and I'm not going to get many more days like this. I went the full 5 miles I'd planned on running and overall felt good. It would be nice if the allergy attacks would go away. This is the worst year I've had in a long time.

Blazing Slow

I used to be, relatively speaking, blazing fast. Now I'm blazing slow. Since it's a three-day weekend I decided to spend yesterday smoking some pork and enjoying the day, which meant that today became my running day. It was a little bit cool when I first got up, and at running time in the late morning hours it was pleasant for a run with a nice breeze from the southeast. I ran 7 miles and overall felt good. The stiff breeze threw off the GPS a fraction, but I know my markers. What a nice day.

Sweating Profusely

This was the first real hint of summer today. Temperature near 90 degrees and enough humidity to make the heat index into the mid-90s. Accordingly, I instituted my walk-every-mile routine and it worked quite well. I went 5 miles and overall felt good, even with all the sweat. In fact, I can tell that running and exercising regularly is making a difference. After my first walk for a minute I took off again and had that feeling of wow, that feels...strong is maybe not the right word, but I could feel the benefits of the exercise. Hoping to keep that going as we truly get into summer.

More Hills in Texas

It rained this morning and into the afternoon, but by mid-afternoon the clouds cleared and the sun actually came out. This seemed like a good day for hill running, so I did. The temperature was pushing 80 but not quite there. I found enough shade and a bit of a breeze to keep from overheating. I ran 5 miles on my normal hill route, and for the most part felt pretty good. I concentrated on running with my butt - yes, it's a thing and focusing on it helps run with stronger muscles rather than knees and weaker parts of the mechanism. I remember reading about it a few years ago in that runner's magazine that I no longer care for, but the lesson remains with me. Lots of sweat today, which is good since I need to shed a few pounds.

Humid but Cool

The weather app told me that the humidity was 90% when I ran today. Not sure if that was correct since I feel like I didn't sweat as much as I have before at that level. Maybe the difference was that today the weather was cooler than on Thursday. I didn't walk, other than when I ran into someone I knew and talked to him for a few minutes. That little pause actually helped since it gave me the momentum to run a full 7 miles. That was my plan but I thought there might be some walking involved, but nope, it all went pretty well. I also thought there might be more water across some of the paths, but the creek was actually down and only one spot where I had to tip-toe. Well, in reality I walked on my heels through the water since they're thicker and my feet don't get wet. But you get the idea.

Hey Humidity

I didn't think we were actually expecting much rain today, but it lightly rained for several hours. When I went out for a run the humidity was nice and high. Due to that and the fact that I just felt fatigued all day, I decided to limit my run to 4 miles, with walks at the markers. That seems like it was a good choice since in the last mile I had tightness in my left calf, a sure sign that the humidity is getting to me. Fortunately I was able to get home without any cramping and go straight to the fruit bowl for a banana.

Shoulda Woulda

I should have run yesterday, and if so I would have actually avoided the rainstorms. See, thunderstorms passed through the area all day yesterday. At my normal running time it was between storms but tough to see if it was going to stay that way for long. Well, it did. And I should have gone out at that point. Oh, well. 

Today was more humid, of course, after all the rain. Plus the temperature was right at 80 degrees, my threshold for starting to walk every mile. I went 5 miles with those walks included. Even though it was plenty humid it was still all right. I was just glad to get out and not have to worry about an impending storm.

Run with a Dash of Walking

This morning I went 7 miles in a nice temperature with a little bit of humidity. I got to the five-mile mark and walked for a minute. Then at about the 5.6-5.7 mile mark I walked until a little past the next mile marker. It just felt like the right thing to do. Then I closed the last mile by running, walking up the big hill, and then running to the end. Even with the walking it wasn't a bad run. There were plenty of people out on this nice morning, probably trying to get in their exercise since there's a chance of rain every day for the next week or so. It does feel good to be doing long runs beyond six miles, and I'm still planning on getting back to a six-miler as my standard run.

Making It

From the very beginning I could feel the drag from yesterday's run as well as staying up too late last night. First I thought about running only a couple of miles, then maybe four, before deciding I was going to tough it out. Mainly I wanted to see if the path was still underwater where I turned around yesterday. It was, but not as badly and I was able to easily navigate to the other side. I went my 5 miles without bailing out, and in my book that counts as a good run.

Cloudy

Didn't run yesterday due to rain, and same on Monday when I thought about running a day early. Today was cloudy and cool, with a high of about 60 degrees. Plus there was a nice breeze out of the east to make me put on a long-sleeved shirt. I went 5 miles, but had to do a little change to get there. At the 2.25 mile mark I encountered water across the path that I didn't really want to navigate since it was pretty deep. I turned back and then took a side leg out and back to my main path. Whatever, it worked and I got in my targeted mileage.

Windy Running

Today was warmish, and also very windy. I ran 6 miles, with a couple of walks due to the high humidity. That was a good start to the day, because then I came home and did some yard work. That involved bundling up some of the branches from the tree I cut down a couple of weeks ago, and then mowing the lawn. My allergies are in full gear with all this wind, so the rest of the day will likely be spent inside. It does seem like allergies are worse this year than the past, and I'm not sure why. Maybe because of the Snowpocalypse we had back in February and it delayed and then concentrated all the blooming? I don't know.

Summer Warm-Up

Today was a trial run for warmer temperatures, with the thermometer at 83 degrees this afternoon. My rule of thumb lately has been that if it's 80 or above, I will walk every mile. I definitely needed it today. The 5 miles went pretty well overall, and it was good to get back into the mode of sweating it out. I kicked the last quarter of a mile or so for some continued variety. My goal is to add a little bit of hill work or speed work into my upcoming runs.

Variety

Today I decided some variety was needed. I went west instead of east, and hit the hills. It actually went better than I thought. I ran 5 miles, and ran partway up the big hill coming east from Ridge, but decided I didn't need to push it too much. I needed to mix it up a bit after running the same path for months straight, and I'm glad I did. The nice breeze out of the northwest didn't hurt either.

Bad Timing

The forecast called for about 2.5 inches of rain on Wednesday, with more to follow on Thursday but dwindling away by 4 p.m. Instead, what we got was nothing, or next to nothing, on Wednesday, and nothing on Thursday. That is, until it was time for me to run. Right at 4:30 or so when I was shutting down from work and about to get dressed for a run, the rain started. That's what I call bad timing.

Today was better. Clouds are in the area and the temperature is mild. Only a slight breeze from the south, and water over the path in one area that saw me get me shoes a little wet. Fortunately they seem to shed water quickly since it didn't bother me on the way out or the way back, and they were definitely wetter the second time through. I decided to push for a little bit extra today and ended up going 7 miles. I actually felt good all the way through. That's probably a result of not running on Thursday, but whatever the cause, I'll take it.

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.

Midwest Wind

I'm in Kansas right now visiting family, and yesterday a group of us decided to go to the park and walk or run as each saw fit. I ran with my sister for a couple of miles, with a few walks due to 30 mph winds with higher gusts. It was quite the day. Overall I went 4 miles with a level of effort that seemed higher. It was good to get out and sweat a little bit, though, so I can't complain too much. My back is feeling better. Now if I can just keep from eating and drinking too much this week.

Back Again

While working in the yard last weekend I tweaked my lower back, which while not the worst it's been was still very painful at times. All of Sunday and Monday I walked gingerly and re-tweaked it both days. On Tuesday it felt better and I got all dressed up to go for a run, but when I bent over to put on my shoes my back chose that moment to seize up again. Ugh. It wasn't until Thursday that I went a whole day without re-injuring it. I decided I wasn't going to chance it with a run, and therefore waited until today (Saturday). 

Today is a little more humid than recent days. I went 5 miles with several walks. I would say those were planned, but in reality I stayed out too late last night and also was very sensitive to not injuring my back again. It was good to get out and sweat, though. Here's hoping I can keep my back from any further complications.

Saturday in the Park

I've probably already used that title for a post, but over the course of all these years it was bound to happen. Yesterday was indeed Saturday, and a really nice day for a run. It was about 55 degrees, sunny, and a nice breeze to keep me cool. I went the usual 5 miles and felt good the whole way. Not as many people were out as I expected, but maybe it was just timing since I went later in the morning. Regardless, not only was it a good run but I also had smoked a really good brisket. The rest of the day was focused on relaxation, and all I can say about that is mission accomplished.

No Music

I walked out the front door and hit play on my iPod (yes, it's still around), and it immediately went dead. I hadn't charged it in too long, apparently. Which actually turned out to be good timing since then I just took it back inside instead of wearing it on my waistband for an hour. I considered taking my phone but decided to go without accompaniment today. It was refreshing. I ran my 5 miles and even though it was 80 degrees there was a nice breeze and I ended up walking only once after the fourth mile, and that for only about 45 seconds. Oh, and the big hill, too, but then I sprinted into the neighborhood and to the finish line. All in all a good workout with nothing but the sounds of nature. And cars. And people talking. And my shoes hitting the pavement. But other than that, nature.

Mostly Fine

Today was a little more humid than recent days, but it still turned out okay. I did another 5 miles, and walked at 3.5 for a minute or so. I think at that point I was probably running a little fast, and the wind was at my back instead of cooling me off. Other than that it was a pretty good run. I thought about waiting until tomorrow but decided today was just fine.

Average

Today's run was just average. Didn't feel great, didn't feel horrible, but managed to make it through the 5 miles without walking. It was another breezy day, overcast, with a temperature in the low 70s. Humidity and heat will be here before we know it, so I'm trying to run regularly and build up my foundation so I can get back to six-milers as a matter of course.

To Mexico and Back

Okay, so I didn't run to Mexico last week. And I didn't run while I was there. But I did walk on the beach every day and enjoyed some relaxation. The hotels were at 50% capacity and package deals were insanely cheap, too much to resist. Even though there was plenty of food, I didn't eat myself into a stupor. Now that I'm back it's time to bear down and get consistent with running again.

Today's weather was overcast and windy, but mild temperatures. I ran 5 miles, just like last Tuesday. It was a good run, with no walking other than the big hill. A good first outing to re-establish a good cadence again.

Inconsistency

With rain for several days and a trip to Oklahoma thrown in partway through the last week, my running has been quite inconsistent. At least today was really nice. The sun was out, temperature around 60 degrees. I went 5 miles with no walks other than the big hill. Probably due to fresh legs and not running in a week, but also a little surprising considering that I had a major allergy attack starting Sunday afternoon. Today was marginally better. We'll see if this little outing today causes it to flare up again.

Back to the 70s

Windy but warm today, a far cry from this time last week. Temperature was in the mid 70s and I wore shorts and a t. Good strong run, with less walking over the 5 miles. I also cut my hair today for the first time since Labor Day and am now back in summer form. Maybe that's why the run went well - my head was streamlined.

Cold Snap

 The past couple of weeks since my last run have been crazy. About this time last week we were in the midst of a cold spell that lasted until yesterday, including a couple of rounds of snow that combined probably a foot or so. The worst thing was that Texas is not built for weather like that, and so we lost power for several days. The natural gas was also limited, not that it mattered since we had no electricity. We were supposed to have rolling blackouts, but being on for two hours out of 26 isn't exactly "rolling." Power finally came back on Wednesday, which was great after waking up several days to temperatures in the house in the low 40s. We were very blessed since none of our pipes burst. As of today everything seems back to normal, at least for the time being.

I sat out in the sun in the backyard for a bit this afternoon, dozing a little. Then I got going for a run since I desperately need the exercise and outdoor time. I took it slow and easy and went 4 miles, with walks every mile. It's odd to see that our temperature right now is 70 degrees, and just a few days ago we were at 0. I was actually overdressed today with short, a long-sleeved technical, and a regular t-shirt over it. It was good to sweat. Looks like the cold weather is behind us and hoping we can back to our regular Texas mild winter.

Punctuated by Walking

Maybe I should have had two big mugs of coffee today since it worked last time. I held off from running yesterday because of cold and mist, and then this morning was cold and windy. After lunch the sun came out and the temperature went up about 10 degrees, so I went out. For some reason I felt pretty lethargic and I only went 4 miles, punctuated with several walks. Maybe it was a bad night of sleep since I woke up with an allergy attack about 3 a.m. I was going to run more but decided this would be my intro to the running week and a warm-up rather than the long run from the previous week. It's supposed to stay cold through next weekend, and hopefully the wind and precipitation will cooperate so I can keep running.

Good 5

After Tuesday's short trial outing my knee felt just fine. Today was windy but sunny, and I can describe how I felt today as strong, with fresh legs from not running a lot the past ten days or so. I went the usual 5 miles on the usual path. I enjoyed it the whole way, which was nice because let's be honest, not every run is enjoyable. Sometimes it's a slog, other times you feel really good. Today was one of the latter.

Knee Tightness

After my run last Tuesday I was sitting in the living room. I got up and my left knee was stiff and I all but limped to the kitchen. Over the next several days the stiffness decreased but a little bit of pain lingered. This weekend was very windy and I could have pushed it with my knee but decided a little bit of rest was better.

Today I tested it and right away felt a tightness on the left side. It was very localized and now I'm wondering if I'm leaning against something that is causing pain, kind of like I experienced with the other knee and resting it on the edge of the mattress all night, every night. Regardless, I went a mile and then walked a half, and then alternated on the way back for a total of 3 miles. Right now it feels all right. We'll see about tomorrow. And I'm also going to be very alert to anything I'm doing that could be causing chronic pain.

Rain/Laziness + Travel

I did not run last week. Early in the week it was cool and raining, and Thursday we went out of town for a few days. Also, that first thing included just general laziness, weather-induced to some degree.

Today I was back at it. I ran 5 miles. It was one of those outings where I felt strong and like I was killing it, but the pace didn't reflect that. It's okay, I wasn't out for speed. It was cool, probably just a tad too cool for my shorts and t-shirt, and the breeze didn't help. Still, I felt good and it's nice to be in the groove again.

Cold Start

This morning started off cold, right at freezing, and I waited until 11 to run. The wind wasn't as bad as the other day, but there was still a breeze. I ran 6, all the way, and powered up the big hill again. That's becoming a habit really quick. Overall it was a good outing, and not as many people out on a Saturday with the cold and wind. I wore shorts but long sleeves, mittens, and a stocking cap. Hey, it's not about style. It's about works for me on a given day.

Head Wind

Today was one of those days where it would have been easy to tap out. Wind out of the north at a steady 20 mph. 

I've been here before.

I donned long-sleeve technical with a regular t-shirt over it, and shorts. For the most part I was plenty warm, and the only tough part was a few times into the wind. 

Fortunately, in the last mile I had a tailwind. When I drew close to the big hill (still needing a name) I crossed over the street in front of someone and decided to keep running rather than walking 50 feet in front of them. Since I probably should have run hills at some point this week it turned out okay. 

In the end, despite the environment, it was actually a good run.

Clear and Cool

A bit chillier than I thought it would be when I left, but still not horrible. I went my 5 miles and felt really good the whole way. Lots of pairs of people out today, all thinking that the whole sidewalk was theirs. Come on people, don't be stupid on purpose.

Crisp and Clean

Today was definitely on the cold side, with a temp of 40 degrees when I headed out about 10:30 a.m. Fortunately the breeze was minimal, but I still bundled up. Overall I went 6 miles. Other than a walk at 4.5 miles or so for a brief minute, I felt good. I might have been a little overheated at that point but I felt my heart rate was up too high. At the next mile marker I was passed by a guy in shorts running a lot faster than me. He said hey and commented that I was a 'tough guy to catch'. I don't know about that. My pace at the finish was 9:45/mile, and that's with the aforementioned walk as well as the walk up the big hill. Not a bad pace, but certainly not blazing like he was. That got me to 20 miles this week, which is the first time I've hit that in a long while. Feels good.

Somebody Turned on the AC

It got cold here in north Texas the past couple of days. Okay, it's all relative since it's only in the 40s. But the wind is coming out of the north and really chilling when you're running into it. I was looking forward to running and wasn't going to let the cold stop me, especially since I've run in worse over the years. I went the usual 5 miles and am feeling good. Hoping on Saturday to add another mile to that and get to 20 for the week.

Good Start

Today's run added to the good start from Sunday. I went 5 miles on an almost-perfect running day and felt great. 60 degrees when I finished with the sun just about all the way down, and no complaints. I'm hoping to keep up this nice beginning to the year.

Another First

Yesterday was another first - my first run of 2021. I spent Saturday doing some projects around the house. It was a really nice day but I just didn't have a chance to get out. Fortunately yesterday was just as nice, if not nicer. Since I'm going to be running four times this week I decided that 4 miles would be plenty to kickstart the year. It seemed about right, and I am looking forward to another year of running. Hoping that I can have more consistency and enter some races this year. Wouldn't that be a nice treat after the stupid year that just ended?

Last of 2020?

Bad weather is supposed to move in for the next two days, with a remote chance of some snow on Thursday. Which means this could be my last run of the year. Actually, today didn't look too good to start with but in spite of the cloud cover and winds the temperature got up to 70 degrees. I sweated quite a bit during the 5-miler. And since I thought this could be it until next year, I ran the whole way, including the big hill outside the neighborhood.

At the end of this crappy year in so many ways, at least I find myself healthy and able to run consistently. I am thankful for that and hopeful we can get together for races again next year.

Post-Holiday Fun Run

Actually it wasn't that much of a fun run. I was going to add a mile and make this a "long" run, but didn't feel great so I kept it to 5 miles. I ended up walking at miles 2, 3.5, and 4. Not great for what should have been an easy run, but I guess I can blame the usual holiday excesses to feeling less than par. It's about time to work on really getting back into shape. That means less eating and drinking and more healthy food and exercise. Everybody else will be doing it at the first of the year, so why not me too?

Looking for Santa

Granted, it was a little early in the day to be out looking for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. However, I did get harassed by the FVRP (Formerly Virtual Running Partner), who has of late been a FR (Former Runner). He dropped a gift by the house while I was out and then drove up Lake Forest where we crossed paths. He cursed me and gave me the finger, and then he parked in the neighborhood to harass me some more once I got up the hill.

I guess Santa wasn't out because it was 43 degrees and windy, or maybe it was the sunlight. Whatever the case, barely anybody else was out either. I layered up and ran my 5 miles, and I'm glad I did. I needed the exercise and routine after several days of neither. At the risk of jinxing myself, this seems like the longest stretch in a couple of years where I've been injury-free and felt strong in my running. Let's hope it continues into the new year.

Them Hills

Change of pace on a sunny and mild December morning - I headed west and ran the hills. I feel like I walked this route plenty last winter, and I'm sure I've run it at some point since then but am too lazy to look it up. My 5 miles took me over to Stonebridge and back. The only hill I walked was the killer one coming east up from Ridge along Virginia. That's a beast. I'm feeling stronger but not quite up to taking on that challenge yet. I used to run hills a lot - in fact, I couldn't help but run hills around where we lived in KC. Now my normal route is mostly flat, but if I can build up some strength with these hills I'll be in a better spot to train for a race next year. Assuming that this lockdown will end at some point and we'll actually get to have races again.

Despair and Then Sun

This morning was rainy and breezy. I spent it doing a grocery run and some stuff around the house. I ate lunch, thinking I could run an hour later. Then the weather became a little worse and I despaired of running today.

About 90 minutes later the sky cleared, the mist stopped, and the breeze settled down. I think I hit the perfect seam in the weather today. The sun was shining all 6 miles, and I enjoyed it so much I ran the whole way. Yes, even up the big hill. I purposefully kept the pace down and finished at 9:45/mile. I feel like that helped my effort. Plus, so soon after the rain and with sidewalks still wet I didn't see a lot of other people out. It was a good start to the holiday week.

Everybody is Faster Except the Guy on the Bike

About a half-mile in I passed a guy walking. I'd seen him running but at that point he was walking and looking at his phone. After five minutes or so he passed me and kept slowly pulling away. When I was near the one-mile mark he was coming up on a guy walking, who suddenly took off and hoofed it faster than the two of us. As the run went along the fast guy was out of sight by the two-mile mark, and the first guy was walking again. I passed him going the other way after I'd turned at the halfway point of my 5 miles.

Sadly, the only guy who was slower than me was on a bike. As I reached the big hill I saw him behind me as I crossed the street. He continued up the hill, going very slow and passing me on the other side. As I reached the top of the hill I started running again and passed him before turning into the neighborhood. Granted, he was trying to ride a bike up a big hill, but in honesty I don't think he was out for a quick ride anyway. 

Nice day, sun shining, and back home before dark. And tonight is a whisky tasting at the pub. Definitely a good day!

Saturday Run, Delayed Post

I thought Saturday's run would be better than it was, but along the way I felt a little not-so-good. I was going to run six miles but instead went 5, and walked a couple of times. Once was at the halfway point and the other at mile three. I think my stomach was a little upset, but not so bad that anything horrible happened. I had the same thing yesterday (Sunday) coming back from the store, but that one did turn out to be pretty urgent. Weird. Oh well, at least I got my run in, and then took two days to post about it.

Dusky

I got out 15 minutes earlier than I thought I would since my late afternoon call ended early. That certainly helped since by the time I got home the sun was almost down. It's been an ultra-busy work week and I'm glad I was able to get out and exercise. I ran my normal 5-mile route. My pace was closer to 10 minutes/mile than the last few runs where I was (nominally) faster, and I attribute that to working too much. Oh well, any run is better than no run.

Late Meeting, Earlier Run

 I had a meeting scheduled for late in the afternoon that I knew would probably run over, so I ran earlier in the afternoon when I had a gap in the schedule. It was a gorgeous day with good temperatures, especially for December. I ran my 5 miles and was able to get back before the school zone got crazy. And even had time to shower before my next meeting. Yes, the late meeting ran over, as I knew it would.

Winter Saturday Run

Today was actually a nice day, especially for December. I ran at mid-day, with the sun shining and temperature heading toward 60 degrees. Even though I missed my Thursday session (cold, raining, work, etc.) I decided to go for 6 miles. And I did. Overall it was a good outing, with an overall pace at 9:15. My fastest mile was 9:02, which kind of surprised me. I kept trying to rein it in and apparently my body wouldn't listen and just stayed at a tempo that felt reasonable. No complaints here. I felt fine.

And that thing I mentioned awhile back about my right knee and the cord (maybe a welt? I don't know and don't care enough to be research) around the edge of the mattress? Every since I noticed that and position myself correctly, including sometimes waking up in the middle of the night to shift my leg...well, that pain is gone. 

Reminds me of the time back in the 90s where I started having back pain, which I'd never had before. I woke up one night stretched out stomach-side down and The Wife was sleeping draped over half of my back. Once I realized that and told her to knock it off my back felt better. It's funny the little things and habits we develop which actually end up causing some minor, or not-so-minor, aches and pains.

Post-Thanksgiving

 My laziness overcame me last week - not good, especially around the holidays. I let busyness with family and events get the best of me. Well, this week I'm back at it. Even though it was only about 50 degrees today with a stiff cold breeze I went 5 miles. I ran in my new shoes and they felt good, as new shoes often do. I think I could really use a race to aim for, but we'll have to see how that plays out in the new year as the quarantine madness hopefully lifts.

Unexpectedly Humid

 This morning I got up at a decent time, for a Saturday, and ran several pre-Thanksgiving errands. Then I went for a run at about 11 a.m. The morning had been overcast and pleasant temperature-wise. Once I got out for my run I realized it was also humid. That, as we know, is my Achilles' heel. I ended up walking at the halfway point and three other times. I don't count this as a bad run, though. Overall it wasn't horrible. And it was a nice Saturday morning. Lots of people out, including over at the new lacrosse fields. I think we're supposed to cool down over the next several days, so we'll see how things go as we make our way toward the holidays.

More Labored Again

 As the week wears on I think it also wears on my body. Yesterday I got in my 5 miles, but it was a little more labored than the Tuesday run. My legs felt a bit weary. Also, the temperature was up in the mid-70s, which is borderline for walk breaks, but I kept at it and ran the whole way. A nice stiff breeze out of the south made things tougher as well. Although I can't complain about how it cooled me off when running into it.

Another Good Day

 Felt good today and ran 5 miles at a decent enough pace. The weather was darn near perfect, about 70 degrees and sunny. Well, it was sunny until the sun started going down. Another few weeks and I'll be finishing my exercise in the dark. I'm feeling good health-wise, which is nice for a change. Got new shoes and will start working those into my runs.

Getting Out and Smoking

Today was one of those days where I probably could have missed a run. Or more clearly, chosen to not run. I smoked a pork butt, ribs, and jalapeno poppers. Plus assembled a green chile stew, which turned out awesome, by the way. It was a nice day with sun and all, and I got everything going on the smoker and then headed out. Good choice. A lot of people out on a warm and windy morning. I decided to stick with 5 miles with a few walks as a concession to the warmer temperature. 

New shoes came in yesterday but will take a little time to break in. I went with a 10.5 wide and we'll see how that goes.

Normal, Yes

 If Tuesday was a really good run, today was also good but a little more labored. Maybe it was due to the temperature being in the upper 70s. Still, I ran the whole way (except for the big hill) and didn't consider walking any. I still went 5 miles, dodging a group of people who thought it was okay to take over the whole sidewalk just past the turnaround. It was a beautiful day, and as always I'm just happy to be able to get out and run.

Close to Normal

This is the closest I've felt to normal on a run for a long time. No knee issues, mild temperature outside, no walking...it was all good. Pace was around 9:45 for the whole 5 miles, which was nice and consistent. We're at the time of year where the sun is starting to set by the time I get home, and soon it will be all the way down. If schedule allows I'll try and run during the day when I can, but otherwise I am enjoying this nice weather, at least as far as running goes. I still prefer summer and the heat, but this is better for a good run. 

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.