Training Run

I went out early, especially early for a non-summer Saturday, but it's Daughter #2's birthday and I wanted to run before taking her out to breakfast. It was cool when I started and mild when I finished my 10 miles. Overall it was pretty good, steady and just below a 10-minute pace. I had a mild strain in my back a few days ago and so I wore my compression t-shirt under a regular technical. It worked out just fine. Since I signed up for a half-marathon earlier in the week this means I'm three weeks out from that race. It'll be a nice Spring goal and then I can enter summer with thoughts of doing a full toward the end of the year.

Sunny Again

The morning started out foggy but by mid-afternoon the sun was out and it was beautiful outside. I started out the door and down the block for my normal route, but as I turned the corner I decided to run hills. This time went better than last and I felt good the whole way. The nice breeze helped, as did the 70-degree temperature. It was 6 miles of good running.

Pre-Rain Run

The chance of rain tomorrow is 100% with a possibility of flash flooding. Which means probably it will be cloudy and a few sprinkles here and there. Or exactly like they say. Whatever. Anyway, I decided to go ahead and run today so that I'm not trying to fit in an outing between storms. Oh yeah, I also did my cross-training punching bag routine this morning as scheduled. Which made my legs feel a little bit dead on my 6-mile run.

I persevered, and even though the temperature was 83 degrees the wind helped cool me off some, and I only walked up the big hill on Lake Forest, against the wind. It seemed like the smart thing to do. Meanwhile, I should have a couple of days off due to storms.

Respite

Today was the one non-windy day in the forecast for at least the next week. I originally thought about going 11 miles or so, but yesterday afternoon decided a 9-miler was plenty. And yes, it was. The temperature was in the upper 70s, which took quite a bit out of me for a run as I work to acclimate to the higher degrees. At mile 7 I was a little overheated and walked for about 90 seconds. After that I was good, and overall the run was enjoyable.

The electricity went off this morning about 7:30, and I thought I was going to end up without coffee. Fortunately it came back on shortly after 9 and I got my caffeine jolt before running. Kind of funny for a guy who used to despise even the smell of coffee. Hey, people can change.

Windy on the Hills

Today was a crap day with 9 out of 10 work hours on the phone. I was ready to go for a run way before the last call. It was sunny and nice, in the 70s, but also very windy from the south. Running against it was quite a slog, and in fact most of it in any direction felt that way. When I got to the first mile mark I thought it was one of the longest miles I've ever run.

Anyway, I went for the hills today, which may or may not have been a good decision. I got in my 6 miles in spite of all the work, and for that I am grateful. I remind myself that even a crazy busy day today is still better than my last job. And I'm grateful for that, too.

Windy Afternoon

Tuesday's run in the early afternoon was nice and sunny but a little bit chilly. I got out between conference calls and when I returned found I'd missed one that somehow ended up not being on my calendar. User error. Nevertheless, my 6-mile run was good and pretty quick, and also included two and a half German lessons. Making progress, at least with numbers and some other basics.

Back on the Trail

Today warmed up nicely. We started the day at The Celt for a St. Patrick's Day breakfast, and I finally made it out for my run about 1:30 p.m. I went 8 miles, and the temperature warmed up into the high 70s with lots of sun. Not a lot of wind, just enough breeze to cool me off enough to enjoy it. I'm back in town this week with hopefully no breaks in my normal running schedule. We can only hope.

Interlude

Wednesday was my one day in town during the week, sandwiched between a NM road trip for fun and a work trip to Austin. I was able to get out and run late in the afternoon and get in my 6 miles. It was good and a nice day.

I was unable to get out during in NM due to an early day up in the mountains on Saturday to wait for the best bbq on the planet at Mad Jack's, sleeping too late on Sunday after the time change, and rain on Monday morning. It was a long time to go without running but it was a fun trip.

Carving Out Time

Today was a 10-hour day at work, and I was trying to sandwich in a run between my last call and having to take The Boy to one of his activities. My last call went 45 minutes over. Fortunately I'd already dressed and was ready to go, but it almost went too long. I guess I could have shortened my run but that wasn't my first choice. I was able to get in my 6-miler at a fairly brisk pace. The moderate temperature helped and I got home just as the sun was about to call it a day. Glad I was able to go since it was very nice and refreshing to run after a long day of phone call after phone call after phone call - you get the idea.

Cold Bones

Today I felt like I never really got warm, probably because yesterday it got up to 75 degrees and The Wife turned on the a/c. It was late morning before it registered with me that the heat wasn't on. By the time I ran in late afternoon I was still not very warm but at least the temperature had risen enough outside to offset the harsh bite of the wind. It was extremely windy from the northwest. I ran my 6 miles and listened to my German lessons. Overall it wasn't too bad of a run, wind and all. I wore shorts and a short-sleeved t-shirt, so can't complain too much.

Looking Forward

Yesterday I was really looking forward to today's run. Sometimes that happens. I feel some anticipation, maybe a little mix of cabin fever, and expectation. And it did not disappoint.

I ran 10 miles on a very nice, sunny day. Temperature was around 60 degrees, and humidity was pretty low. I think my pace ended up in the low 9's. Several people out today walking dogs, and plenty of bicycles.

I think people walk along paths like they drive their cars. One couple I passed three times. The guy was on the right with a metal cane-like deal, and the female on the left, a couple of steps ahead. The problem was that they both occupied the sides of the path. The first time I said, "On your left," and she flinched and moved to the right. The next couple of times I figured they weren't smart enough to get the picture so I ran right through the middle of them. I missed a fourth time by about 30 seconds of completing a loop before they arrived. It's annoying when people are oblivious to those around them. I wouldn't be surprised if I've encountered them on one of the local roads, puttering along, not using their turn signals, and unaware that they are unaware.

Another Good One in Austin

Today's run in downtown Austin was a 6-miler that went pretty well. It was windier than the other day, but the sun was out and it was a good day for a run. Lots of people out with dogs getting some exercise. There was no rush since my flight home was later in the morning, but it also meant I didn't get breakfast until almost lunch time. Somehow I survived.

Soupy in Austin

Tuesday morning's run in Austin was a little soupy. Some mist and low clouds, but at least the temperature was nice. I went 5 miles because the FVRP was a few minutes late meeting me in the hotel lobby. At least this time there was some light out when we started and I didn't need my light. The run was followed up by a nice omelette. That's always good motivation.

Watery Week

I don't mind running in rain, but when it rains for six days straight and the temperature hovers above freezing? Well, not gonna happen.

I slept late this morning because a thunderstorm rolled through and I had no motivation to get up any earlier. However, the line moved through just about noon and miracle of miracles, the sun actually came out. Even though I missed two runs this week I was still able to run 8 miles with no problems. Well, no problems other than navigating the sections of the path covered by water. Even so, it was nice to get out and enjoy a nice afternoon after numerous gray, gloomy, wet days.

A Good Long Run

Today started out rainy and gray, but by the time afternoon rolled around it wasn't too bad. I went 10 miles and listened to a lot of German on my iPod. Overall it was a pretty easy run, averaging around 9:30/mile. I thought this would be a good one before my next birthday, a nice round number.

I forgot to mention that on my Thursday run the GPS was totally whacked. It was cloudy and a high wind, which seems to distort the GPS sensitivity. I knew I was in trouble when the second mile took only 8:30 and I was still nowhere near where I knew the mile marker to be. Today I thought I might run into some trouble, even though it was nowhere near as windy. The alert for mile 3 was way beyond where it normally is. Even so, it seemed to average out in the end since I was within about 50 feet of the end point when I got the finish. Plus I wasn't going to sweat a few extra yards overall.

Wind and Hills

It was warm, gray Thursday. Twice as warm as my Tuesday run, as a matter of fact. A lot of wind, but that's a challenge, not a deterrent. I went out for a hill run. Why not?

The wind was out of the south and the first mile was tough. A half-mile in I thought my calves were cramping and this might be a bad day. I continued, figuring at that point I could walk back if needed. The next couple weren't horrible, but even so I felt like I wasn't in sync. I thought about walking up the hills somewhere between mile 4 and 5 but I was distracted by my iPod and switching between albums. Before I knew it I was up the last hill and on my way to finishing my 6-mile run.

80 degrees, hills, and 6 miles in February. Memorable.

Cold and Runny

The Wife said I looked cold when I was out running today because I wore a long-sleeved shirt, a stocking cap, and shorts. It was in the low 40s but I never felt cold. In fact I ran my 6 miles feeling pretty well, trying to hurry back for a phone call. To which I ended up being five minutes late. Guess the cold wasn't enough motivation to run any faster than I did.

Back to the Cold

It was colder this week in Dallas than it was in San Francisco. That was certainly true today where the temperature was 32 degrees with a lovely cold wind out of the north. The first mile was a pain, but once I turned it got much better. I ran 8 miles in total, and by the time I turned around for the return I was warmed up just fine. Miles 5-7 were against the wind and there were a few moments where I did not enjoy myself. But the last mile was fine and the wind at my back helped. This was one of those days where living in KC for so many years paid off in a wardrobe that helped me stay warm.

Third in SF

I was looking to see what I posted this week while in San Francisco and it took me a few seconds to realize the days were off. My Tuesday post was actually for Monday and the one that showed up on Wednesday was likewise off a day. Looks like the time zone difference came into play since I ran Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. This is for the latter, even though it looks like a double post if you try to put it into the context of the other runs.

The Thursday run of 4 miles was a little tougher, mainly due to the amount of food and drink on Wednesday evening. Still, made it through without any major problems. The temperature was noticeably cooler since when I stepped out the hotel doorway I could see my breath. But my luggage packing skills worked in my favor since I hadn't put in a third short-sleeved shirt and ended up having to wear a longer sleeved shirt. Three good runs in SF this week.

Another Four in CA

It was another 4 miles in San Francisco this morning. Still dark, a little cool but manageable. No breakfast afterward, though. In fact, I came back to my hotel room and worked longer than I expected with a phone call to a sales rep in Canada and then one of my team members. On my Lyft ride to the office my stomach kept rumbling and I was wishing I'd eaten breakfast earlier. I ended up eating 4.5 hours after I woke which was not necessarily a recipe for success.

This week I'm on track to get my usual 12 miles in three runs instead of two. That's okay because I think the FVRP is getting a kick start out of this.