Heat Index

This is about as high as the heat index has risen, at least while I've been paying attention. It was 102 degrees with heat index of 116 when I left the house for today's walk. Strangely enough, it wasn't really that bad. A breeze from the southeast helped, as well as shade at various points along the route. I walked 3 miles and then came home and mowed the lawn. Yeah, I'm kind of stupid that way.

Water in the Creek

There's water in the creek again after a surprise thunderstorm late yesterday afternoon. I thought the storm was going to stay north of us but we caught the southwestern edge and got hammered for a good 45 minutes or so. We needed it. Of course, that made this morning humid but that's fine by me. I walked 3 miles. I'd rate it as a good walk since I was in no hurry and had no place to be. Lots of stray thoughts throughout the walk, which is probably better to do at noon than in the middle of the night.

Walk and Mow

Yesterday the temperature plummeted to the low 90s and the humidity actually kept the heat index below 100. I still walked instead of running and went 2.5 miles. When I got home the lawn needed a trim, so I got in a little more walking. We're headed to the century mark over the next week, which means I'll likely continue the walking with little to no running. 

See Randy Walk

Maybe I should rename this website. When it's 97 degrees with heat index of 115 outside, there's not gonna be much running going on. I needed to get outside, though, and do something. I walked 3 miles and generated a nice bucket of sweat. It wasn't that bad. Really. I knew I would walk the whole way and no pressure to run. Summer is here, although it officially starts tomorrow according to the calendar. Either way, it's arrived in Texas already.

Running While Smoking

Today I put a pork shoulder on the smoker, and figured even though that requires attention I still needed to get out for some exercise. I went 3 miles, half of it running. Still very humid around here, and I heard that Wednesday and Thursday were some of the most humid (humidest?) days on record in the Dallas area. I believe it. At least I got in my exercise for today as well as mowing the lawn. Now it's time to enjoy the long weekend.

Welcome Back, Summer

Yesterday we hit 94 degrees, a nice jump up in temperature. A nice breeze out of the southeast helped, at least when running against it. I went 4 miles total and ran half of it in half-mile blocks. All the walking in between helped me make it the whole way and also seemed to keep my heart rate from getting too high. Plus the areas of shade along the route were also most welcome. I've been wearing a hat due to some spots on my forehead (more like a six- or seven-head) that had to be removed last year, and the hat is supposed to keep more from developing in the harsh Texas sunlight. At least in the areas of shade I was able to take off my hat and that helped cool me down in those instances.

Misty June Day

Definitely not a normal June day. It was cool, only getting up to about 80, and cloudy all day. It finally rained about the time I was heading out, although it was more of a mist than actual rain. Maybe a little more than mist. Whatever the case, it wasn't too bad. It picked up a little bit around the mile mark, so I ended up going only 2.5 miles. The good news is that I ran 1.6 of that with a pickup at the end. I got in some sweat regardless of the weather. The forecast looks like after tomorrow we start getting into real summer weather. This might be the coolest run I have for a while.

Disassociated 5k

Another day, another 5k. That's 3.1 miles out of the 5-mile outing. It was another nice Saturday morning with clouds on the horizon but nothing overhead. Fortunately, there was a very nice breeze which kept me cool. The temperature was in the high 80s and it looks to get hotter over the next week. I appreciate the chance to acclimate to the upcoming warmth. Or hotness. Whatever you want to call it, it's summer in Texas.

1 of 3, 2 of 4

The 1 of 3 in the title refers to the baseball games I attended the previous three nights. The good guys (Cardinals) were in town to play the bad guys (Rangers). The good guys won only 1 of the 3 games, which was actually better than I expected since the bad guys are playing lights out so far this year and the good guys...aren't. Had fun anyway, although it meant missing my Tuesday outing.

Today I ran 2 of 4 miles, the latter half of the title above. The temperature is still hovering in the upper 80s with a nice touch of humidity. I ran four half-mile intervals with a pickup the last quarter-mile or so. It was good to get out and sweat again. This time the heart rate seemed reasonable although I wasn't watching it that closely 'til the end.

Someone asked me the other day if I still run and if I want to do any more marathons. Yes, I still run, I replied, and I'd like to run more halfs and fulls. The problem for me is the time commitment, which first of all means getting into good enough shape to be able to start a real training program. Something to consider.

Another 5k

In today's 5-mile outing I ran 3.1 miles in intervals. Interestingly, I cut short the next-to-last interval because my heart rate seemed too high. It got up to 165, and as I've mentioned before, that's above the max heart rate if you use the normal calculation. At the very least it was in the 90%+ range. It got up to the same rate toward the end of my final half-mile interval, but I stuck it out so I could get to the 5k mark in running. I didn't feel horrible during any of it but I did feel like I was laboring a little more than usual. Temperature was about 80 degrees but humidity was way up. Or maybe it was tougher because I didn't find a hundred-dollar bill this time. 

Feeling Like a Hundred Bucks

I actually found a hundred-dollar bill on my run today. Yes, I searched around quite extensively to see if someone was looking for it, but I saw not a soul. Like nobody was out today running or cycling. Yes, I kept it. I've found a twenty and once a fiver on previous runs, but this one takes the cake.

What's interesting is that if I'd given in to a shorter run like my mind kept telling me, I wouldn't have found it. The money was almost at the turnaround point for two miles out and then two back. In fact, I didn't see it when I passed it the first time. It was on the return. I considered turning around at 1.5 miles, and then had almost convinced myself to turn at 1.75 and do a 3.5 mile run, which I rarely do. Instead, I thought another quarter mile out wasn't that far.

I know, I'm making too big a deal of it. Especially since it's going in the offering plate at church to help the food pantry or the local homeless ministry. Hey, it wasn't mine to begin with and it's a chance to pass it along to someone who does.

Running? Yeah, 4 miles total with 2.5 in intervals. The temperature was in the mid to high 80s but a breeze out of the southeast kept things reasonable. Still recovering from the wedding weekend and sweating for an hour or so felt good.

Revelry

I certainly intended to get out for some exercise while we had a bunch of family in town for a big wedding, but somehow it just never happened. After all the revelry and some people leaving this morning, I desperately needed a walk/run. A big thunderstorm rolled through yesterday about dinner time, leaving us to bask in the humidity today. I went 3 miles and ran only one out of that, but today was more about just moving than any serious effort. Still have stuff going on next weekend and early next week, but let's see if I can make the exercise happen.

Just a Walk

Due to scheduling this week, I decided today was the day to get out for some exercise. My knees felt...puffy? Not sure of the right word, but maybe it was because of the running two days ago. Or because I'm old. Or maybe both.

So, I walked. I walked 3 miles. It was a nice, semi-brisk walk. Beyond giving my knees a chance to recover, I think it was also good to be out in warmer weather without sweating up too much of a storm. It's the part of the year where I need to acclimate again to the heat and I'm well on my way. If I can run tomorrow, I will, but if not then at least I'm not going too long without exercise.

More Run than Walk

Today has to be the longest continuous run I've done in I-don't-know-how-long. I mean, I could go back and look at previous posts but that would take effort. Instead, I'll just say I ran 3.7 miles out of 5 total, with a run in the middle of 3.2 miles. Today was great here in Texas for a run like that. A little humid but nice breeze out of the north to make it palatable, and temperature only 70 degrees. In fact, when I first woke up it was almost too cool to sit on the patio and drink coffee. After a few errands it was time to run, and so I did. It feels nice to have that accomplishment in the bag and primes me nicely for the upcoming hot weather.

Failed Flying

Tuesday I was supposed to travel to Toronto for work. Short story: I got the whole experience of boarding and deboarding without ever leaving the airport. Delays kept accumulating so I finally ended up canceling the trip. The downside was I was worn out from the experience plus all the work I did when I got home so I skipped running that day.

Today was different, with sunshine, a nice southerly breeze, temperature in the mid-80s, and no aborted plane flights. It was humid, as usual, so I went 4 miles and ran 2.25 of that in four intervals. Not bad and keeps me feeling good about continuing to get back and stay in shape.

5k Out of 5 Miles

All that rain we were supposed to get over the last three days? Not a drop. Definitely par for the course.

Today was humid, though, with temperature in the low 80s. I went 5 miles total and ran 3.1 of that, or 5k. I did intervals of .5, .75, .67, .75, and .5. Actually, I guess that adds up to 3.17, a little more than 5k. The running parts felt just fine, even though I felt my left hip was a little sore for some reason when I started. I tried to concentrate on propelling myself with both legs equally, making sure I wasn't favoring one over the other. A little bit of extra focus in that area seemed to help. Now it's time to mow the lawn.

Some Humidity in the Area

We had a little rain yesterday. Not as much as forecast, but enough to put some water in the creek and up the humidity some. It was noticeable today and I took a walk at the halfway point of my 4-mile run, which means my total running distance was 1.8 miles with the rest walking. I think it was a wise choice and I made up for the extra walk by adding some speed to the last tenth of a mile or so. Remember, speed is relative and I ain't as fast as I used to be. Not that I was ever that fast, but still.

Two for the Show

Ran two of the 4 miles today, in the usual interval pattern. I have to say I feel pretty good about it since the temperature was 84 degrees and a little humid, which I'm still getting used to. At least there was a nice breeze to cool me down in certain parts, and of course, some shade. We have intermittent rain in the forecast starting tomorrow through Monday, but if the weathermen keep up their usual success rate we won't get much of anything. Which means I'll be able to run as scheduled.

Back from the Great White North

Spent the last week in Minnesota, where it was still not spring. I took running clothes, but apparently not enough cold/cool-weather gear. The temperature was mostly in the 50s with nighttime lows in the 30s, and plenty of wind to refrigerate things even more. Needless to say, running did not occur.

Yesterday I changed brakes on Daughter #2's car, a process that took more than twice as long because some idiot engineer decided the long screws securing the bracket needed Allen wrench heads instead of hex bolts. And recessed them inside a short collar. What a crapfest. Plus, the temperature skyrocketed to the low 90s, quite the change after the week in colder climes. I say all this to say I got plenty of activity yesterday, which impacted my outing today.

The older I get, the more those types of activities leave me sore. Today I kept the outing to 3 miles to stretch out after ten days or so of no exercise followed by the brake-changing debacle. Also it was the first time running with higher temperatures (in the 80s) so easing back in seemed appropriate. I did run half of that in half-mile increments and the wind was a nice relief. I plan on walking the next few days to continue stretching out the sore muscles.

Got Out Regardless

Unexpectedly due to a late work schedule, rain in the forecast, and potential yard work, I ended up getting out. The total was 3 miles, but at least I got out when I didn't think I would. The least reliable of all those delays is clearly the forecast. The weathermen around her suck and they have been wrong so many times over the last few months, predicting 90%+ chance of rain and the storm totally bypass the entire county. Their inaccuracy is my gain.

Saturday 5

Went 5 miles today. Three 3/4 mile intervals bracketed on both ends with half-mile intervals for a total of 3.25 miles of running. Overall it felt good and it was a beautiful day for running. I finished writing a new book this morning and then had some great thoughts about next steps with it. That often happens when I'm out running and my mind clears. I didn't get to run on Thursday due to work and bad weather. I was planning on running five then, but postponed until today. It all worked out, so no complaints.

Blustery

Very windy today and cooler as well, but not too cool. I went 3 miles and ran half of that. Cloudy and gray but at least it wasn't raining. Although we can always use rain in Texas.

Fourshadowing

I ran at midday on a Saturday. Not much in the way of shade, just enough to keep me from overheating. My heart rate climbed up to about 160 a few times, which caused me to start thinking about maximum heart rate once more. If I go by the common method, I was almost at max. Even though I felt the effort I still wouldn't say I'd maxed out. Plus, I feel like I'm still building back up to my previous fitness level, so not really surprising my heart rate got a little higher than expected.

4 miles was the total, with 2.5 of that in running. The breeze was strong but felt good when running against it. Lots of sunshine and no complaints there. The temperature was in the high 70s and I'll take it for now and enjoy.

Powering Through

It's hard to breathe when your throat is constricted from allergies. It wasn't horrible today, but it also wasn't good. I decided to keep the mileage at 3, which turned out to be the right choice since my iPod died a mile before I finished. If I'd gone an extra it would have been a useless weight for half my run. I was also still feeling the effects of soreness from earlier this week, and the first interval of running was tough. For the last interval I actually ran faster to try a different cadence and stretch muscles in a different way. I think it worked to change things up a little. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Allergies Are Back

Sunday - Easter Sunday - I felt miserable. I changed the brakes on my truck in the afternoon and by evening had a massive allergy attack. We had people over for dinner and I went upstairs before they left. Pretty crappy of me, but I felt horrible and wasn't good company. Yesterday I felt like someone had beat me with a baseball bat.

Today was better and not as bad with the allergies, but still not 100%. I walked a half-mile and then gave running a try. After a couple of minutes I determined it was best to just walk and stretch out the sore muscles. I went 3 miles total and feel okay for now. We'll see how the allergies treat me this evening.

Travel Week

Spent the first half of this week in Toronto for work and the early morning plane ride back on Wednesday was a complete debacle due to weather. Then Thursday and Friday were windy and cool and nasty, so today was my first real chance to get out again. I did another 4 miles with the same intervals as I've been doing. Today felt really good. Looks like the up-and-down weather patterns are done and temperatures should be more consistent going forward. I'm looking forward to it.

Another

Something was going on Thursday where I couldn't run but now I can't remember what it was. Probably work-related. Yesterday, Saturday, ended up being wonky with one of the kids and breakfast and so on. Today I was determined to get in a run before rain hits later in the day, and I did. Same routine as the last couple, although it felt a little humid and I walked two minutes halfway through the longest interval and total running was probably 2.3 miles out of the 4 miles total. Glad to get in some exercise before the work week starts.

Feeling the Running

Did the same routine today as I did Saturday and for the first time in a long while the running part felt normal. I've walked a lot and become used to that cadence, I think. On my last half-mile interval today I had that thought about not thinking about it. It was a nice moment. Not necessarily a runner's high but still good. 4 miles total with 2.5 of it of the running variety. 

Coming Back

Every time I go out and put some running in with the walking, I tell myself I'm coming back from injury and laziness, but mostly laziness. Today was beautiful, with temperature in the high 60s and sunny. I went 4 miles total, with 2.5 of that running, including 1.5 miles straight running in the middle. I'm starting to feel better about running, stronger and not getting winded as easily. I also think the days and nights where we get down to freezing or lower are over. I'm fine with that.

Back to Sweating

What a difference from Monday and the last couple of days. Today was warm, topping out over 80 degrees, and while there was plenty of wind at least it wasn't the bitterly cold kind. I was able to get out after lunch for 3 miles, running half of that. Looks like the cold weather is finally over for us, but then again, you never know for sure. It was nice to get out and sweat again.

First Day of Spring

According to the calendar, winter is over and spring is here. The freezing overnight temperatures and cold wind this morning from the southeast disagree. Fortunately, the rest of the week it's supposed to be in the 70s. Since I have a crappy schedule for work today and tomorrow in the afternoons, I went for a 2-mile walk with The Wife this morning. Let's just say the weather was brisk and leave it at that. Here's hoping that was the last of it.

Slicing

The wind out of the northeast sliced right through my clothes on today's outing. The temperature was supposed to be 48 degrees but felt like 42, or so said the weather app. It felt colder than that. In fact, at the first blast a couple of blocks from home I almost turned around and went back. But then I decided I'd gone to all the trouble to get dressed that I might as well follow through. I went 4 miles total, running half that in half-mile intervals. If it hadn't been for that darn wind it would have been a really good outing. I even stopped when a woman and her four friends were taking a picture and offered to take it for them so they could all be in it. That's me, walking, running, and making friends.

Double Post

This is a two-fer.

Yesterday went for a morning walk with The Wife. It was a bit cool and we bundled up. The wind was out of the northeast and blasted us pretty good about two blocks into it but we decided to keep going. Once we warmed up it was better and we went 3 miles. The trip back, going south, was better. At least it was sunny the whole way.

Today I took advantage of a gap in my work calendar and got out for a little over a half-hour. The total mileage was 2.4 miles, an odd total. That was because I had a time limit and included running for about a mile of it. Again, a nice day. I was motivated to do it today since tomorrow is supposed to be cooler, too many meetings for work, and a chance of rain. The days I'm getting out are not necessarily the normal ones, but at least I'm able to wedge in some activity.

Enjoying the Weather

Today's temperature is supposed to get us up into the 80s. When I went for a walk/run at about 11:30 it was still in the high 60s and overcast. Two hours later it's 78 and sunny. Still enjoyed it, though, and decided to go 3 miles total today. I ran half of it in half-mile increments. Felt pretty good. It was a little breezy out of the south but that was a feature, not a bug.

Third Day

This was the third day in a row I went for a walk and it was another beautiful one. I went about 3.2 miles this time. The temperature was above 80 degrees, not bad for Texas in early March. Once again I considered running but my hips felt tight after several days in a row of exercise. Seems kind of lame, no pun intended, but I'm trying to develop consistency without hurting myself. I don't know if I'll get out tomorrow but we'll see how the day goes.

Follow-Up

Today was another beautiful day and I went for a 4-mile walk. I considered running a little but decided to go for the extra mile instead. If I can get back on track with 3-4 outings a week then I will start adding running into the mix again. Walking was a good choice for today.

Lost Week

What a week. Once again making a living cut into my time to get out and exercise. Plus I went to New York City on Wednesday and flew back Friday. I missed a big windstorm that come through on Thursday. Fortunately, today was extra nice. The Wife and I got out for a 3-mile walk and enjoyed temperatures in the low 70s. As I've said before, I need to prioritize exercise and that's my plan in the next week. I find I get a little grumpy without exercise. Nobody wants me to be grumpy.

Short Walk

The Wife and I went for a short walk today. We'd thought about going yesterday but it was blustery and decided to wait until today. This afternoon it was a decent temperature and we had a few minutes before she had to take a loaf of bread out of the oven. All told we probably walked less than 30 minutes but at least we got out and about for a few.

Midday Walking

I was off work yesterday, for the most part, so I took a lunchtime walk. Ended up being 2.9 miles but I'm rounding up. It was a beautiful day and the temperature was about 80 degrees on its way to 87 later in the afternoon. Nice breeze, and when I looked in the mirror later in the day it was clear I'd gotten a little sun. Nice to see the weather in Texas behaving like it's supposed to.

Sporadic Walk

Last week the weather turned bad again, and by that I mean cool and extremely windy. We had a thunderstorm warning one day and got...nothing. Still, it was a week of not getting out and by today I definitely needed to do something. The Wife and I went on a 3-mile walk in early afternoon and it was indeed nice to get outdoors. Even though yesterday was nice I smoked a brisket, but hopefully nicer days are in the near future. Gotta find some consistency again..

2.5 + 3 = 2

Equals two days in a row. I missed Saturday due to cleaning up some home improvement project remnants and went for a walk on Sunday afternoon. It was a gorgeous day, in the mid-60s and sunny, and I went 2.5 miles. I was going to go longer but when you reach a certain age your bladder tells you when it's time to turn around and go home before bad things happen.

Today was about the same temp, but overcast and a bit breezy. I still went 3 miles, though, and ran three intervals of .5, .6, and .5. So, if my math is correct, unlike the title of this post, that means I ran over half the distance today. Tomorrow is supposed to be extremely windy with some rain early, and same on Wednesday. We'll see how it goes.

Back At It

Since last weekend when I went to concerts two nights in a row and stood for 5+ hours at each, my lower back has been achy. Not too bad, but I felt it today when I ran on my outing. I went 3 miles total and ran two half-mile segments. The weather was too nice to miss a run today and I'm glad I went. Being out in the sunlight is a nice pick-me-up, especially in what would normally be the dead of winter.

Felt Like More

Today was particularly windy, like the 25+ mph type of wind. With gusts stronger than that. It was also the day before rainstorms make an appearance so I decided to brave the wind and get in another walk. I went 3 miles again, but it sure felt like more. I think I deserve extra credit for this one.

Three of the Walking Variety

Last week the cold weather came back with a vengeance, leaving behind ice for several days. I may not be a smart man, but I do know better than to tempt fate by trying to walk a few miles on a sheet of ice. The last couple of nights I went to concerts and stood for six-plus hours each time. When the sunny day showed temperatures in the 60s I was happy to get out for a walk. I thought about running some but my knees and lower back are still recovering from so much standing. I walked 3 miles and hope for nicer weather in the coming week. Rain is in the forecast, but we'll see.

Cold and More

A cold front moved in Tuesday and we even got a little snow, although that didn't even last until morning. Naturally, I chose to stay warm. Today was better, with a nice sunny afternoon and temperature of 52 degrees. I only went 3 miles but it was nice to get out in the sunlight. I ran about 1.75 miles of that. Felt a little stiff but not horrible. I think Saturday is supposed to be warmer but there's also a chance of rain. We'll see.

Building Back Better

It was tempting to be lazy again today and stay home, but the day was too nice. Temperature in the mid-50s, sunshine, and light breeze from the south. Tempting, but I also know we will still have our fair share of really cold days in the next couple of months and missing out on a day like today would be regrettable.

I resolved to run most of today's 4-miler and ended up running three miles straight. I'm still not sure if the heartbeat count on my Apple Watch is correct since I got up to 156 but like I said previously, didn't feel like I was near the limit. It felt good to continue building back up to continuous running. The foundation is there, just gotta keep at it.

Out of Town

I was out of town the last week, part personal and part business. I did not get in any walking or running while I was gone, which I knew was going to happen. The work part included a 5k run every morning, but I've taken my gear before and then it suits in my suitcase, so this time I didn't even take it.

Today was a light day workwise since everybody is getting back from the conference and I was able to get out for a 3-mile walk. It was nice to get out in the fresh air after being held hostage in a Vegas hotel for four days. The sunlight felt great even though it was a little on the cool side with a breeze from the north. No complaints, though.

Building Up

I went for a walk on Sunday afternoon with The Wife, which was nice. We went another 3 miles and enjoyed a nice day.

Today was really nice gorgeous. Temperatures in the 70s and hardly a breeze, which I could tell when I ran by the big pond and there were no ripples from the wind. I went 4 miles total, and ran 2.75 of that in longer segments. After a walk, I ran 1.45 miles, walked .15, and ran another 1.3, followed by a cooldown walk. I figured it's time to start building up again to the point where I can run without walking. I'm on my way.

More Walking and Running

Yesterday morning I went for a walk with The Wife for a total of 3 miles. I had the opportunity to get out for it before work.

This morning I walked with her again for a little over a half-mile and then I took off for a little running. I ran four intervals: .5 miles, .7, .9, and .5 again, for a total of 2.6 miles out of 4.4 total. If I can keep this going then I should be back to running continuously again soon.

I became curious about maximum heart rate during the run since during the longest interval I went up a rise against the wind and my watch showed heart rate of 162. I know I'm not in prime shape, but my memory of the maximum heart rate formula is 220-age, which means 165 would be the number. And I'm no mathematician, but 162 is pretty close to 165. I didn't feel like I was pushing that hard, though, and I know how it feels to get to max heart rate. I just looked it up and one formula for fit people would put my max at 175, and another for people over 40 would be 170. Both of those sound more realistic based on how I felt at that point in the run. Not a major deal but like I said, it did pique my curiosity.

New Year, New Me

Not really, it's the same old me. Here it is the fourth day of the year and I'm just now posting. I think I went out earlier this week but the days have blended together after starting up work again. I was going to go yesterday but the Bat Signal went out from the cigar shop, and well...I responded as a superhero would. Today I went 3 miles and walked the whole way. Temperature was in the mid-50s but it felt a lot cooler with a breeze from the north.

I also got a new phone yesterday, and much to my chagrin the Walk to Mordor app I was keeping track of running and walking was no longer available in the app store. I was halfway there! I guess this means Sauron wins.

Final 2022 Outings

Yesterday I went 4 miles, all walking. I'd been out Monday and Tuesday, then Wednesday did other stuff and Thursday was horribly windy.

Today I did another 4 miles, with half-mile runs inserted. I even sprinted the last interval, or at least ran it faster than the others.

How can I describe 2022? The word inconsistent once again comes to mind. This is the lowest number of outings I've had in 15 years, which is not a good trend. I'm thinking about what I want to do in 2023, and a race would be a good start. We have a couple of spring weddings in the family so not sure how a race would fit in, but it's worth a look. Goodbye 2022, and welcome 2023!

Cold Snap

We definitely hit the cold weather mark last week. On Thursday morning the temperature dropped 20 degrees in one hour, and we made it into single digits that night. We also had winds over 30 mph and wind chill below zero. All that to say, it wasn't the most wonderful time of the year. We managed to stay warm and celebrate Christmas with the kids. All in all, a good holiday.

I got an ear infection about the middle of last week, waking up in the middle of the night with sharp pain in my right ear. Fortunately, that was the worst of the pain, although it's stayed clogged up every night since, moving to the left ear last night. I was feeling lethargic and low-energy, usually a sign I need exercise. The sun came out this afternoon and the breeze was okay, so I walked 4 miles and already feel better. I don't know if that'll take care of the ear problems, but it can't hurt.

Christmas Break

I'm off work the rest of this week, which means I can do my exercising during the day when the sun's out. I replicated Saturday's outing with walking and running and the 4-mile distance. It's a cool day again but at least the sun is shining. Not a whole lot of people out. In fact, I think I only saw one other person, and she was walking her dog. The only other people I saw were the lawn crew at the Mormon church, blowing leaves out onto Lake Forest. Wish I could get away with that. I filled two lawn bags with leaves from the front yard on Sunday, which is interesting since my tree doesn't drop leaves. They all belong to the neighbors who don't rake their lawns. I could return the leaves to the rightful owners, but I'm sure they'd just blow into my yard again. Sigh.

Cold Front

It was only about 40 degrees today when I left for a walk. At least the sun was shining and the breeze from the north wasn't too bad. I felt pretty good and decided to throw in some running to the outing. Overall, I went 4 miles and ran a total of half that in half-mile increments. It was nice to run. Walking is fine, but it takes soooooo long to go any distance. Running cuts down on that, not that I'm that fast.

I was also able to get out for a walk on Wednesday of 3 miles. Work has been too crazy the past couple of weeks but that should stop as I have some time off around the holidays. It's supposed to stay pretty cold for the next week but with no work I should have the opportunity to get out more often and in warmer parts of the day.

A Few More

I did manage to get out Tuesday for another walk, this one of the shorter variety at 2 miles. It was another nice day before the rain and work intervened to keep me caged up until today. That's okay, though, since I never mind getting rain around here.

Today was one of those days where it's cooler outside than the temperature. With a little breeze out of the north it kept things interesting until I warmed up. I went 4 miles total, walking, and saw very few people out on the path. I guess the weather kept people from wanting to take a walk, but not me. At least not today.

Midday Sunny Sun

Nice day today, with the temperature in the low 70s. That's a big difference from last week when it struggled to get up to 50 most days. Since I have late-afternoon check-in calls with a customer every day for the next two weeks I decided to get out and enjoy the sunshine during a break in my schedule. It was gorgeous and I actually wore shorts and a t-shirt. Walked 3 miles, hoping to build back my stamina. I did do a bit of walking on Saturday when I went to the Big 12 Championship game, but I wouldn't say I really focused on that as exercise.

A Few Walks

Sunday turned out to be really nice, so The Wife and I went for a 3-mile walk in the sunshine. Yesterday was also very nice, 75 degrees, and I walked for just over 2 miles. I enjoyed them both since I knew it was going to get very cool again, just as it did this morning with a start right at the freezing mark. 

A Run of No Running

No excuses for the past couple of weeks, really. A little rain and cooler temperatures, but I could have gotten out plenty of times. For some reason, with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, I got lethargic as far as exercising goes. I keep saying I need to get back in the routine, and I do. Today I walked 3 miles as a start. I think tomorrow is supposed to be rainy all day. Maybe I can get in some exercise at a break, if there are any, or I can aim for Sunday.

Where Did Summer Go?

It was in the low 40s in the late morning when I left for a run. At least it was sunny, but as in most cases when it's cold early in the season I underdressed. I should have worn gloves, but at least I was smart enough to wear long sleeves. I ran 1.25 out of the first 2 miles and then ran into a guy I know from the pub. Hadn't seen him in a while so I walked most of the next mile as we chatted. I ran most of the last mile at a faster paced and then sprinted the last .15 or so. All in all I did 4 miles and it was quite...invigorating.

Bag of Old Tricks

I walked a couple of miles yesterday after the "failed" running attempt on Tuesday. Today I wanted to try running again, so I dusted off a few tricks from the old bag. 

First, since I've experienced this before and the pain on Tuesday was similar, today I didn't start running until I got to level ground. The twinge started the other day on a downhill section. Today, no twinge.

Second, I used another trick called "running faster." Yes, I've found that changing my pace can also change my gait enough to get it back into whack. I've been running at the same speed (slow) for months. This time I sped up just enough to fool my legs and knees into a different mindset, if that makes sense. Whatever the case, it worked.

Finally, I still walked when I needed to. On a slight downhill just past a mile in, over and back a slight rise right before the turnaround, and up the downhill from the first part of the walk. No expectations, just trying to get back into better shape. Today's total was 3 miles and hopefully the weather will stay nice enough over the weekend for me to get out again.

Knee Muscles

I was at a guys' weekend and got back yesterday, meaning today was my first outing in a week or so. I figured I would do a light walk/run to try and get back in shape, but stopped running after about a third of a mile. I felt a twinge in my knee and when I started walking after that and an ache on the outside of my left knee. I attribute this to weakness in the muscles around my knee, which makes sense with all the inconsistent exercise of the last month. And by inconsistent, I mean lazy. So today I went about 3 miles total, but at least I got in some outdoor time. We also turned the clocks back last weekend, and I am not fond of that since it gets dark so early.

Running to Vote

I wanted to run over to the fire station yesterday where I usually vote, but the washing machine repairman ran behind and a 2 p.m. appointment became a 4 p.m. appointment. That's okay, clean clothes took priority over voting in this case since it's been 17 days since we got back from Ireland. First World problems, I know, but going to the laundromat is an inconvenience when you've paid for a washing machine that should work.

Yesterday was beautiful weather, and fortunately today was as well. The route west and back totaled up about 3.6 miles, and I ran close to 3 of that. Since this is early voting season, I only had to wait about five minutes or so. Nice and easy, and now that's done. Plus, I finally got in some exercise after some rain last week and general laziness, mostly general laziness. *salutes* General Laziness.

Perfect Day?

Was this a perfect day? I don't mean my running, of course. I mean the weather. The sky was blue. The wind was a slight breeze from the south. The temperature was 72 degrees.

I mean, seriously? This was a gorgeous day. It's a Wednesday, for crying out loud. I don't run on Wednesdays. But I did today.  And I ran 2.75 miles out of the 4-mile outing. It was one of those days where I would have been mad at myself if I didn't get out. 

And I also saw The Wife twice in the exact same place on Raincrest. She was coming back from the grocery store the first time, and the second time she was coming back again because they'd overcharged her six dollars on three items. You'd think they would learn their lesson.

Sunday Wind

Yes, I was extremely behind this week in getting back to exercise. It took a few days to stop waking up at 4 a.m. at least once a night and going back to sleep. On the plus side, during one of those waking sessions I came up with a new book idea and started writing it on Thursday morning. So that's a good thing, and completely unexpected.

Yesterday I smoked a brisket and sat outside in the wind all day. Today is equally windy, but I went out for 4 miles. The temperature was 84 degrees, maybe our last hurrah before storms move in tomorrow. I ran half of that distance, intermittently of course, a half-mile or so at a time. The sun was shining and there were only a few people out for a walk. Maybe they got their exercise in yesterday while I was being lazy.

Walking in Ireland

Spent the last two weeks in Ireland and we walked like crazy. We never walked less than 10,000 steps a day, and there were several days we walked 7-8 miles. We saw a lot of great stuff and enjoyed ourselves, of course. I'd have to say all that walking helped keep off some of the usual vacation weight gain.

We started in Dublin, then drove around the island. First to Cork, then Kinsale, Killarney, Dingle, Galway, Sligo, Donegal, Ballycastle, and finally Belfast. With a lot of points in between. I keep saying it was the trip of a lifetime and I mean it. The island was gorgeous, the food outstanding, and the people friendly. Now it's back to Texas and getting into the routine of walking and running.

Out for a Bit

I walked 4 miles on Wednesday, and then yesterday (Thursday) I did another 4 miles. That one was half running, half walking. It's been a little while since I actually got in any running, but the temperature was down to 81 degrees so it seemed like the right thing to do.

I'll be out for the next couple of weeks, mostly walking but probably not posting anything here. See you on the flip side.

Lots o' Walking

On Saturday I walked twice, both morning and afternoon. Yesterday (Monday) I went 4 miles on a walk. And today was about 2.5 miles. I would have gone for a run on a normal Tuesday, but it's getting close to vacation time and I need to break in my new boots. So The Wife and I went over to Creekview and walked along the path there. My boots are Clark's and probably don't need to be broken in, but the time to find out I should have done so is not when I'm wearing them constantly in Ireland. The good news is they fit just fine and I think they'll be okay.

99 in September

It's still summer here in Texas. I was ready to run a bit yesterday but the temperature was 99 degrees. I think we're almost to the end since it plummets into the upper 80s by Monday, but for now it's still walking weather. I walked 4 miles yesterday, still getting in my steps. Today being Friday was a no-go on more, but tomorrow I'll make up for it.

Also, still liking the Apple Watch almost a month in. I was sitting in the cigar shop late this afternoon and it said my pulse was over 100, which it was not. So maybe not always entirely accurate, but I like checking it on my walks/runs.

Two for One

Yesterday I had meetings until almost 6 p.m. Needless to say, it was a long day and I was not up for anything else. This morning I changed things up and went for a walk at about 6:10 a.m. It was the normal-almost-3-miles course that I normally do on Mondays and Wednesdays. The local cross country team was out and about. If only they knew that guy walking along the sidewalk before the sun comes up has run ten marathons. Not that it would make a difference.

After work I did a 4-mile walk. I'm so slow. Or at least, walking is so slow compared to running. Not that I'm fast, but a walk drags on in comparison. By the last mile I was speed walking. I thought about running, but that's for tomorrow. Plus the temperature here in the last half of September was 97 degrees. I consider this part of getting in shape for the upcoming Ireland trip. After that, let's see how we can maintain or do even better.

Humid Saturday

Yesterday I wasn't sure how the outing would go. It was humid, more than I expected, but I was game. I ended up going about 4.3 miles, and ran half of it. It really wasn't as bad as I thought, or else I was just oblivious. Either way, the run/walk was a good one. The temperature is still in the 90ish range every day, which means summer is still hanging on by a thread. That's okay by me, and most evenings have been very nice around here.

Some Running

It's taken awhile to recover from being sick, and feeling at about 60% of myself this week. Today I felt a bit better and went for an early afternoon walk/run due to late meetings. Overall I went about 3.75 miles and ran about half of it. One segment of running was .9 miles. That's good as I work on building back the mileage, my long-term goal over the winter months. I just have to not be a weenie when it's "cold" outside. This is Texas, for crying out loud.

Walking in Pittsburgh

Spent the weekend in Pittsburgh for a baseball series, which the good guys (the Cardinals) won two of three despite getting their butts kicked in the first game. No running while I was there, but a LOT of walking. I think that and the pace at work caught up with me and I ended up sick the last day and missed the last game. Overall, I really enjoyed the city. It was beautiful, clean, and scenic. It would be good for running along the river, while it wouldn't take much of a diversion off those paths to get in some hill work. The baseball park did not disappoint. It often shows up on the top of the list for best baseball parks, and I can see why. I had a great time and would love to go back someday.

As for today, I decided to walk to get in my steps. Running was not in the realm of possibility due to recently being sick and still feeling like I'm recovering. I needed some sunshine and walking seemed to be the best way to get it.

Two Fer

Just realized I didn't post my Saturday run/walk, so this becomes a two-fer. I went that morning about 10 a.m. for a total of 5 miles. It was a nice morning and good outing. I know it's been rare that I've gone that far recently so it was nice to go that extra mile.

Today was humid after more rain yesterday evening, but as always, no complaints. It was another run/walk since the temperature was in the low 90s. It felt like a Monday but fortunately I realized it was a day to mix in running during the 4 miles. I think with the rain I'm feeling a little bit of allergies as plants come back to life after the rainless summer. I also realized it was the ninth day in a row I've had an outing. I'm looking to keep the streak alive.

Rainy Walk

I walked Wednesday, and then yesterday was supposed to be the normal run/walk day as of late. Rain moved in late in the afternoon, but it wasn't heavy and there was no lightning. So I donned a windbreaker and went out for a walk. Overall it was about 3 miles and I probably could have done the run thing, too, but at least I got out. We're doing a step challenge at work this month and I didn't want to post a zero the first day. Instead, I made the 10k step mark and got in some sweating. This morning I went for a walk with The Wife and the kicked off the holiday weekend with some exercise. It was nice.

Storm on the Horizon

When I left the house today I thought a storm coming in from the northeast would miss us. Still, dark clouds moved closer and I decided to go 3 miles instead of 4. That turned out to be the right choice. As I turned into our part of the neighborhood it started raining. The Wife was backing out of the garage to go someplace, so I talked to her briefly and got a little wetter. Not too bad, though, and it came down even more after I made it inside. Again, this is Texas, we need rain, and no hard feelings on my part. For the outing, I bookended it with half-mile walks, with a 1/2 mile run, 1/4 walk, 1/2 mile run, 1/4 mile walk, and 1/2 mile run in the middle. That means I ran half of it, which was pretty good for a very humid day at 88 degrees.

More Walking and Running

I went 4 miles again today, and here's how it worked out: walk 1/2 mile, run 1/2 mile, walk .4 miles, run 1/2 mile, walk .1 mile, run 1/2 mile, walk 1/2 mile, run 1/2 mile, walk the rest of the way home. Even though the temperature was just below 80 degrees, the humidity was (and is) very high. I got in about 8k steps through all that. I saw plenty of people walking, running, and riding. The most curious was the guy on the powered scooter who whizzed by. Kudos to him for getting outdoors, but does that actually count as exercise?

Stepping In

Last time I mentioned the step challenge at work coming up in September. Not a fan of carrying the iPhone everywhere in order to count steps (21st-century problems, I know), so today I ordered an Apple Watch. Due to the program we have at work for rewarding co-workers and people who make a difference, I had enough accumulated to get one. Except for fifty cents that I had to pay out of my own pocket. Again, those 21-st century problems.

With today's 4-mile run/walk, where I ran half of it in different segments, I'm close to 10k steps. Not that I'm that anal retentive about it, but I haven't done this since I had a FitBit back when we lived in KC. That's been 7+ years ago. And as for today's outing, it was good. Above 90 degrees, but the hundreds seem to be out of the picture for the time being. Until we get below 80 I'll still be walking from time to time.

Post-Rain Outing

We finally got a ton of rain yesterday. We were supposed to be doused on Sunday, but the weatherman whiffed on that one. Near downtown Dallas it flooded, but in our area it was dry until early Monday. It even drizzled a little bit most of the morning and into the afternoon today. I was thinking about running the whole way this afternoon but the temperature got into the mid-80s and it was huuuuuumid. I went 3 miles and ran half of it in three different sections.

At work we're doing a step challenge in September. I've been carrying my phone recently to listen to podcasts but it wasn't tracking my steps. Let's just say it was harder than it needed to be to find out how to turn it back on to track. I'm good now and did over 7k steps today. If I was training for a marathon I'd probably win the challenge hands down.

Rain at Last

We finally got a ton of rain on Thursday. It was so nice. The temperature plummeted into the mid-70s as it rained for two hours and rivers of water ran down the streets. As opposed to last time, this time there was too much for the dry ground to absorb and there was water in the creek this morning. I went 3 miles with intermittent walking and running since it was quite humid. We have more rain coming in the over the next few days, so I'll get in my exercise as I can.

Work and Walk

Interesting outing today. Went for w walk during the last call of the day, which really was a fyi for me. I didn't have to participate until about 2 miles into 3 total. And since I walked it all I could pause in the shade and say my piece. After that I listened to the podcast the rest of the way home. According to the forecast this might be one of our last 100 degree days. I'm going to have to find some future motivation because I love the heat.

Half Run

I went 3 miles again today, half of it walking and half running. The temperature was above 90 degrees and plenty humid, so alternating walk/run seemed like the right thing to do. It went pretty well, especially considering I did it later in the morning. I needed breakfast and coffee first today, though, hence the delay. I saw a few people out but there were probably more earlier in the morning. I considered waiting until tomorrow but decided I didn't really want to. I've also been listening to a new podcast, or at least new to me, called History That Doesn't Suck. The guy starts with American colonies and moves quickly over the first few episodes into the battles that marked the start of the Revolutionary War. So far, so good. I'm enjoying it.

How About Some Rain?

Yesterday I went for my normal off-day walk, and it went pretty well. It was cloudy, and when I checked the radar everything was sliding past us to the west. The wind picked up, and toward the end I saw lightning about a mile away. That's usually my signal to head for cover. I ended up a little under 2 miles. When I got home it went like usual for a while. The storm was heading toward us and then split to completely go around. It's like we were an anti-magnet. That finally ended about 6:30 when we had actual rain for the first time in months. For an hour or so. It was fantastic. And the temperature dropped to 75 degrees. This might be normal elsewhere but not around here, and not lately.

Today would normally be a running day, but that didn't happen. I walked 3 miles, thought about running a few times, and decided against it. The temperature was 98 degrees with heat index of 102. What was interesting was the condition of the creek I normally run past and then run next to several times. I thought after yesterday the water might be higher and moving a little, but instead it was muddy pools along the creek bed. Apparently the rain we received yesterday was so needed that the ground just sucked it up and runoff was non-existent. Here's hoping for more rain.

No Rain

Typical day here lately at the old homestead. Clouds rolled in, rain fell...but none of it here. Still haven't had any measurable rain in a couple of months. Nevertheless, the temperature fell into the mid-80s and it was nice enough to go outside. I tried to escape work but I got an annoying instant message that I should have ignored, but apparently I'm too stupid. I didn't get out until almost five p.m. but I couldn't pass up this day. I went 3 miles total, running about 80% of it. Including a sprint at the end. Yes, nice cloudy outing and enjoyed it. How often has that happened lately? Oh, and walked 3 miles yesterday as well when the forecast was 98 degrees but turned into 102.

Enjoying Summer

Went for a 3-miler this morning. I ran only a half-mile of it, feeling that it was better to walk today for some reason. Plus it kept me out longer. Plenty of sweat, plenty of summer still left to go. Saw several people out on bicycles, running, and walking. Seems a little different from a few days ago, but maybe it was the time of day. Or of the week. Looks like school is about ready to start again since there was something going on at the high school this morning and the parking lot was full. I'm also defrosting the beer fridge and spent a few hours in the garage enjoying the heat. Later it's over to a friend's for a pool party and some food. All pretty good for a Saturday.

Ain't Nobody

Wasn't nobody out this afternoon. Except me. 102 degrees, 105 heat index. Which is actually not that bad for August in Texas. I went 3+ miles, total, with 1 mile of it running. I could tell how hot it was when the wind at my back cooled me off. That rarely happens, The only other people I saw out today were people in cars with their a/c on. Can't blame them.

I also realized somewhere during the run that I am more willing to get out in 100+ degrees than I am in winter when it's 50 degrees. That has to change this year.

Non-Lazy Saturday

Started the morning off walking with The Wife, and then when she went to the pool I continued on my merry way. The walking part consisted of probably a couple of miles, and then I went a couple more, mostly running. I figure I put in 4 miles today, mostly running the latter half. Then I came home and mowed, did some clean-up around the house, and finally decided to chill a little bit. The temperature was supposed to be in the mid-90s today, but right now it's actually 103 with heat index of 114. That means it's humid, and when I sat on the back patio to smoke a cigar I could definitely the humidity. We had about five minutes of rain yesterday, and when I say rain I'm being generous. It sprinkled, barely, but it's the first moisture we've had in probably a couple fo months. It wasn't much, but apparently enough to bring out the humidity. No complaints here, though. I sweated a lot for the first half of the day. All good.

Walking Week

We're still in the 100s every day, which I love. However, this week is a little different since a couple of late afternoons are blocked for other things. So Monday and today (Wednesday) I went for a walk. Monday was the just-over-a-mile route, and then today I added on the north side of the neighborhood to get close to 3 miles. I ate too many snacks yesterday, so I need to get that under control. The century mark on the thermometer is slated to continue for several more weeks. I'll run when I can but also make sure I'm getting out and sweating as much as possible. Like this week.

Getting My Butt Out There

This morning I took a different approach from last Saturday. I slept in a little but then got my butt out the door to run before anything else messed with my schedule. Plus, it was a little cooler, only about 80 degrees at run time. I went 4 miles and ran 75% of it, walk breaks throughout of course. Lots of people out getting in some exercise before it gets up to 100 again today. After breakfast and coffee I mowed the lawn, so all that's out of the way, too.

There Was Actual Running Involved in This Run

What a difference 10 or 11 degrees makes. When I walked yesterday it was 108 degrees. Today it was "only" 97. So I ran part of the 2.8 miles, actually half of it. Not all at once, of course, but it was actually okay. Most of what I ran was in the sun, but I guess that helped me get back to the shade quicker. I did see one other person out walking, but he was going really slow. All in all a good, sweaty outing.

108

There was no running today. Walking yesterday, a little over 2 miles, and almost 3 miles today. Work went long and I didn't get out until 5:30 p.m. At that point the temperature was 108 degrees with heat index of 113. Strangely enough, I didn't see a single soul out walking, running, or cycling. It seems I was the only one crazy enough to be out there, but to be honest, it really didn't seem that bad. A nice breeze came out of the south. I wouldn't say it was cooling, but at that temperature any air movement is better than none.

Midday Walk/Run

I was going to get out earlier, like 10 a.m., but ended up going around noon since Honorable Daughter #3 showed up. It was in the 90s so I walked about a half-mile, ran a half-mile, and so on. I went 2.5 miles total and ran about a mile of it. It went well and that seems to be a good choice. I missed running on Thursday since I was in Austin and drove back yesterday. We're in the middle of a stretch of 100-degree days, with a mild break of a degree or two once in a while. I love Texas summer!

Totally Walking

I walked yesterday, a little over 2 miles, and then today went almost 3 miles in the other direction. I seriously thought about running today, but decided to just keep up a good pace and sweat. Interesting tidbit, though: it was over 100 degrees today plus another 5-6 degrees for heat index, and I didn't really start perspiring until a half-mile into the walk. Even in direct sunlight. I suppose that's called being acclimated to a certain degree. See what I did there?

Mostly a Walk

It was 94 degrees at 10 this morning, and my intent was to walk instead of run. I did go 3 miles but threw in about a half-mile run in the last mile. That was because a guy was walking slower than me on the way back so I decided to just run a little bit to pass him. It actually worked out nicely since I was warmed up. The breeze was almost non-existent, another reason I'd decided to walk. My main goal today was to sweat. Mission accomplished.

Baby It's Hot Outside

Meanwhile here in Texas, the temperature made it up to 101 degrees with a 106 heat index. I don't know, it might be a little hotter than that. I went 2.5 miles today, but ran only the first and walked the other 1.5. It seemed like the right thing to do. I should have gone for a walk yesterday but it was a holiday and I was smoking a brisket. I did sit outside pretty much all day and did plenty of sweating, so that has to count for something. We'll see how the rest of the week goes since I have something every evening. Not a fan of that but sometimes it happens.

What a Week

Work was crazy busy this week, and particularly Thursday. By the time I made it to the end of the work day I was spent, and for the first time in three weeks I missed an outing. I got back to it this morning, where it was 86 degrees by 9:30 a.m. and plenty humid as well. I went 3 miles and even now, an hour later as I write this on the back patio, I'm still sweating. At least it's a long holiday weekend and I can relax a little bit.

Forgot My Hat

I was at the end of the block when I realized I'd forgotten my hat, the latest running accessory. I decided to go without it since it was a pain to walk back. So I ran 3 miles, probably half in shade, which wasn't so bad if running hatless is the exception. Plus it was only 90 degrees today, almost like a cold front came through.

Still going strong with the walking and running schedule, with another 2 miles of walking yesterday. It was also a mild day. Gotta enjoy it while I can.

Juicy

Since some people don't like the word "moist," I'm going to say that this morning's run was juicy. As in humid. I still got my butt out the door before it gets too hot today, and went 4 miles. Overall not a bad run. I walked every half-mile, as seems wise when the heat at 8 a.m. is over 80 degrees. No complaints, though. Saw a few walkers and cyclists, but not much else beside me in the running department. One guy passed me early coming out of the neighborhood but I think that was about it.

Two Weeks

That's two, two, two weeks in a row of doing this walking and running thing five days a week. Walk Monday, run Tuesday, walk Wednesday, run Thursday, run Saturday. And all in the heat of summer. Makes winter me feel lazy for not taking advantage of the nicer temperatures. Or maybe I just like to get out and sweat. Whatever the case, I walked a little over 2 miles yesterday and ran 3 miles today. I'm feeling more energetic, not a ton but enough to make a difference. Work has been brutal but I'm not as run down as I was before the last couple of weeks. Who knew that exercising could help increase your energy level?

Tuesday Hot

Detecting a theme in the titles of these posts? Yes, it was 98 degrees and heat index 104 today. And about the same yesterday, when I walked about 2.5 miles. Today I went 3 miles with about 70% running. I think. I'm not tracking it down to the yard or meter, whichever measurement you prefer. Instead, I'm just trying to stay in the shade as much as possible and make it through all the sweat. As a person who actually likes hot weather, this is a great time of year. For those of you who don't? We can still be friends.

Saturday Hot

It's soggy this morning. And by that, I mean it's hot and humid. I slept late and went for a run about 9:45 a.m., by which point the temperature was in the upper 80s. And very humid. People have been remardking that it's early in the summer for it to be getting this hot. I think they're afraid of how July and August will turn out. Anyway, I did my 3 miles and overall felt pretty good. This past week has been very helpful in acclimating to the heat. I plan to continue mixing in walks with running days. It certainly can't hurt.