Saturday Five

It was another beautiful spring day. I slept in a bit, had breakfast and coffee, worked on my new book, and then went out for a 5-miler. It was nice and relaxing. Strangely, I barely saw anyone else out the first two miles. After that, though, the floodgates opened up near Hardin and I found a lot of people out and about. It was a little breezy from the south but overall not bad. I was glad to get in three runs this week and enjoy the great weather.

Two in a Row

Today was a day much like yesterday in the weather department. I was feeling like another run was in order so I went for it. Plus, in Texas you have to take advantage of the decent days since the 100-degree days are on the horizon.

I ran 4 miles again. It felt good, even two days in a row. Tomorrow I'll take a break and enjoy a Friday. I'm guessing if I went back and tallied up which days I run on the most and least over the years, Friday would far and away be the winner for least. It just seems wrong to burden Friday with a run.

Delayed Run

It got cool again here yesterday. Well, actually Monday night when a storm blew through with high winds and rain. It was only in the upper 40s yesterday with a very stiff breeze from the north. I stayed inside.

Today was much better. Even though there was still a strong breeze from the north the temperature was about 15 degrees warmer. The sun was shining, which was nice. I went 4 miles, even against the wind. I really wanted to go yesterday and was feeling that call to run, but waiting a day turned out to be the right choice.

Outstanding Day

I don't think it could be much nicer than it was today. It started off cool this morning when The Wife and I were at the flea market up on 380. We were looking for bird baths but apparently we'll have to find a statuary place if we want one. Anyway, it warmed up to about 70 degrees this afternoon. Spent some time writing and then went for a 5-miler. There was a light breeze from the south to keep things from feeling over-warm. I know that seems weird since we're nowhere near 100 degrees, but it's all relative to how the weather has been up and down the past several weeks. In a couple of months 70 will be absolutely chilly. Until then I'll enjoy the great weather and go spend some time doing yard work.

Walking in the Wind

It's a bit...breezy today. And by breezy I mean the wind is over 20 mph with gusts up to 45. I ran 4 miles today, or most of it. There were a couple of walks thrown in there when the wind was blowing against me too much. Other than that the day was just fine. Sunny, over 70 degrees, and I felt decent. I felt like I struggled a little with the wind, maybe rushed somewhat when I started and then battling against it at times. I tried to relax as much as I could, knowing I wasn't in a race.

Spring Forward

I hate the time change. But I covered that in the last installment. The only good thing is that the sunlight lasts longer into the evening. It was a nice day on top of that, and I'm sitting on the back patio as I write this. I went 3 miles today, which I figured was a good start to the running week. The temperature was 70 degrees at run time. To be honest it felt a little warm in the sun. That's probably because of the swinging pendulum on the thermometer. The long-range forecast says we won't get to freezing again. I'll believe it when I see it.

Seriously, Winter

Another cold front with freezing precipitation came through this week. I thought we were done with that already, but apparently not. Maybe this is the end.

Yesterday it was bitterly cold here. The wind was brutal and temperature actually fell during the day. I woke up this morning to sunlight and milder weather. I went 4 miles and it felt very good. It was slow and I got passed by a woman at the first mile marker, but that's okay. I'm not trying to win a race, just trying to get back in shape. I didn't sleep well last night so today's good run was a little surprising. I'll take it, though. Tonight it's off to a hockey game and then the clocks jump forward an hour. I hate these stupid time changes. I've said it before and I'll say it again - if a politician of either major party will do away with this nonsense they'll get my vote.

Third for the Week

I had every intention of running on Thursday but Youngest Daughter came over and I'll be darned if I'll miss the chance to hang out with her. It was a beautiful day, too. Oh well. I'd rather spend time with one of my kids than run any day of the week. Sorry, running.

Today was nice but very breezy, about 20 mph. I ran 3 miles and it wasn't great. The main goal was to get out and sweat a little bit, and that's what I did. Now on to grilling steaks and a relaxing evening at home.

Two in a Row

Yeah! Two days in a row. Of course I didn't feel up to running today and kept telling myself that I ran yesterday and it's okay, no need to do it again today. That's the type of laziness that's kept me from developing a routine. Plus, it was a beautiful day with temperature of 70 degrees and sunshine and no wind. I took the hill route and went 4 miles. It felt good and as usual, I'm glad I ran.

More Winter

I thought we were done with winter but no such luck. Last week another storm rolled in with sub-freezing temperatures and precipitation. In fact, we got sleet/freezing rain that made the roads and surfaces slick until late in the week. I keep thinking that's gotta be the last of it. Maybe I'm right this time.

In spite of that, I did better last week with less food and drink. Today's 3-mile run didn't feel nearly as much of a struggle as last week's. My plan is to run again tomorrow and keep up the routine. As we all know, that hasn't been the actual execution of the plan lately, but I'm going to keep trying until it sticks.

Slug

I've been a slug lately. Most of it was the run-up to my birthday and just generally not doing much beyond work. That's over and now it's time for some colder weather again. I got out today for 3 miles, and it was not a good 3 miles. My lack of doing anything really paid off in a crappy run. Tim to stop being a slug.

Another Texas Beauty

It was another beautiful Texas day. Sunny, temperature in the 70s, a light breeze - it was all great. I ran 4 miles, as I've been doing lately. A hot air balloon was out and gradually receded to the northeast as I made my way along the usual path. If every day was like this then everyone would live here. Good thing it gets hot in a few months to keep away the riffraff.

Winter Storm 2022

If I'm counting correctly, this is our seventh winter in Texas. In the first five it snowed exactly one time that I recall, and that was only a dusting that melted right away. Last year, of course, was Snowpocalypse 2021, which knocked out our electricity for several days and where temperatures reached zero. By last year's standards, this year was almost a nothingburger. Last Wednesday it rained and turned into freezing rain overnight. We didn't actually get snow until mid-morning on Thursday, and that ended about 1 p.m. after dumping a few inches. Power stayed on the whole time and the only bad thing was a big limb off the tree in our front yard that collapsed. I got out the chainsaw and took care of that on Saturday after things warmed back up and the sun came out.

Today the sun is out and the temperature in the mid-60s, a far cry from late last week. I ran 4 miles, part of it against a stiff breeze out of the south. No complaints, though. Felt pretty good and hopefully last week was all the winter we have to deal with this year.

Before the Storm

The usual accurate weathermen (that was sarcasm) are predicting rain starting tomorrow evening and then snow overnight into Thursday, with several days of freezing temperatures to follow. I'll believe it when I see it. In the meantime, today was 70 degrees and mild. I made sure to get out for one more run before the weather turns cold and went 4 miles. It was a little more of a slog than I expected, mainly because I felt like I was running against the wind for the entire first half. I also stopped along the way to examine the bloody tracks I saw last weekend, figuring they'll be gone after the upcoming storm. I'm not a tracker by any means, but pretty sure the victim didn't survive that episode.

Even Nicer

It's getting better before it gets worse, weather-wise. Snow is in the forecast for later next week. In the meantime, today it's 66 degrees. I ran at mid-day, sun shining and a nice breeze from the north. Felt good and ran all 5 miles, except for the big hill, of course. Several families out pushing strollers, and plenty of dog walkers, too. I hadn't been on the other side of Hardin for a few weeks, at least that I remember, and was sad to see one of the trees along the path had been cut down. There was another also down in Creekview, but that one had been damaged in a storm and blown over, so it made sense. Maybe that's what happened to the other one. In another interesting twist, a splash of blood on the sidewalk past the bridge caught my eye. On the way back, I saw it again and then bloody footprints leading up to it. Looked like a raccoon. My thought is it was attacked on the near side, ran across the bridge, and then met its final end where the bigger amount of blood ended up. And so it goes.

49 Degrees

I remember a time when we lived in KC that a 49-degree day in January would have been outstanding. Here in Texas, it's still a bit on the cold side. In reality, it's actually a good temperature for running, no matter where you are.

I ran 4 miles and tried to follow a path in the sunlight. I ran on the north side of the Creekside neighborhood. In the last mile on my way back the sun was blocked by a cloud bank. In the heat of August the shade would have been welcome. On a day like today, not so much. 

Monday Outing

It was a busy weekend, and today I really felt the need to get out for a run. I was unsure of how far to go, thinking three miles would be okay, but ended up going 4. Mainly because at my turnaround for three I would have seemed like a creeper to the lady who just ran by me going the opposite direction, as well as the couple with the dog. Another mile didn't kill me, and actually was a good choice. The weather looks to be mild over the next week or so. I need to keep reminding myself to get out regularly before it heats up again in a couple of months, not that I mind running in the hot Texas sun that much. I certainly sweat more in that part of the year.

Overcoming Laziness

Maybe I've used that title before. Regardless, I felt lazy today. Yesterday the wind blew hard and the temperature was cold. Late afternoon the temp was about 26 degrees and wind chill about 15. Today was much nicer. The sun is shining and it got up to 51 degrees with only a slight breeze. I sat out in the hammock for quite awhile, enjoying the sunshine. I'd put on my running clothes earlier, which turned out to be a good motivation since I seriously considered not going. I guess I can't smoke cigars and drink beer all day every day. By the time I was in about a mile I was glad I went. I went the regular 4-mile route and overall felt fine. The Wife has been sick the last few days but looks like I avoided it. I needed the exercise and the fresh air.

Beautiful Spring Day...in January

72 degrees was the high today, and it was really nice out. Work threatened to carry over late but I made it a priority to get out the door for a run. It was worth it. I went 4 miles with a sprint at the end. Lots of bicycles out today, and a handful of runners. Many more bikes than people on foot, including a couple of families. Nice to see people enjoying the beautiful day.

First of the Year

I'm going to stop talking about how I have to get consistent. Every time I mention it I go a length of time without running. Today was actually my first run of the year, ten days into 2022. I should feel bad, and I kind of do. Plenty of excuses, bad weather, truck issues that I worked on all weekend, etc. The truth of it is that I finally got my butt out the door today and ran 3 miles. Temperature was in the low 50s, but sunny and not windy. A nice day, and a good first one to kick off the running season again.

The 5k I was supposed to run on New Year's Day in Kansas was postponed due to extremely cold temps (single digits, wind chill in the negative numbers). My nephew and I did our packet pick-up anyway, and ended up with coffee mugs. I called it the most expensive mug I've ever bought. It was disappointing to not get to run it with him, but at least we had one outing at the park a few days before the end of the year. Next time we'll have to pick a race with less chance of bad weather, if that's even possible.