Humider

Today was definitely more humid than even three days ago. Even so, the temperature wasn't horrible, in the low 90s. I went the 5-mile route and did pretty well until the last interval. That one I stopped about .2 miles early, mainly because it was against a strong wind out of the south. And I was done. Overall, though, I'm happy with the lack of knee pain and other issues that have plagued me over the past couple of years. If I can keep adding more miles then I can do that half in November.

In the Soup

Drove home from NM yesterday and this morning it was only in the 80s but soupy on the humidity scale. I did my 5-mile walk/run, of which a little less than four is running. My pinky toe is feeling better and didn't really impact my outing. It's nice to be home and actually get a good night's sleep. Plenty of people were out on this Saturday morning. I was thinking it's nowhere near as crowded as someplace like Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, which is good, but it's also good to see lots of people out and about.

High Altitude

I smashed my left pinky toe last Friday night when I was moving the smoker further under the patio roof when a rain storm popped up. I thought about running Saturday but determined that was not a good idea. Sunday didn't work either with rain. Which means it was Tuesday before I ran. That happened to be in New Mexico at a higher altitude, but it was okay because I got to run with my sister and our youngest daughters. We went about 3 miles total, with a little bit of walking in there, too. It was fun and very scenic. Plus low humidity, always a plus.

Steady as She Goes

It was another good 5 miles in low 90s with rampant sunshine and a good breeze out of the south. I'm hoping to add another mile on Saturday if I can get out early enough to avoid the afternoon heat. Also hoping to keep making progress and avoid any of those nagging injuries.

Regular Afternoon

I went 5 miles this afternoon, just like on Saturday. The temperature was in the low 90s and nice and humid. Overall I'm still feeling good. When I walked out the door I realized my right knee has not ached at all today or even late yesterday, not that it was doing much before but I was at least aware of it. After the run it's still feeling good. I'm grateful for that.

5 for Saturday

I thought about doing an additional mile yesterday but 5 seemed good enough. Especially since I was running in mid-day and there wasn't a ton of shade. Regardless, the run went well. Plenty of people were out, especially cyclists. It was a nice Texas summer day with a little breeze out of the south. Still feeling good as I get back into running shape.

A Little More

Pushed it a little bit today with a 5-miler. Same pattern as last Saturday and temperature was only 90 degrees. Overall I felt it went well, no soreness afterward. If tomorrow goes okay then on Saturday I'd like to try six miles. I miss the standard runs on the weekdays and longer on the weekends. I'll get there.

Hotter Yet Cooler

The temp was 97 degrees when I headed out this afternoon for the 4-miler with intervals. It was also quite windy, which drove the humidity down and actually made the run feel cooler - or at least not has hot - as some of the more recent runs. I felt good throughout. The right knee has felt slightly sore over the weekend, about a 1 on a 10 scale, but no issues during the run and none as I cool down and write this.

Once More Into Summer

Yesterday morning I headed out a little after 9 a.m. The sun was out, temperature was in the 80s already, and it was huuuuuuumid. I buckled down and went 5 miles. Overall it went pretty well. By my estimate I probably ran about 3 3/4 of that distance, or close to it. The thermometer got into the mid-90s in the afternoon. By all appearances summer is here in Texas.

Slow Study

I was running today and feeling pretty good - in the upper body, which was somewhat new. And then I thought back over the last 20 months or so. Quiz. What have I dealt with over that timeframe?

• Abdominal strain
• Bruised ribs
• Lower back spasms
• All of the above

Yes, the last one would be correct. It's been issue after issue.

I've been doing leg exercises recently, and upper body sporadically. The past couple of weeks I've been more consistent with arms and shoulders, etc. And I felt that today. It took being on today's 4-miler to realize it's actually paying off. Maybe that's been part of the problem, causing my legs and hips, especially knees, to adjust, and not in the correct way. I'm hoping this sudden revelation will influence me to exercise all areas, not just the legs. You'd think I would know better by now. Guess I'm a slow study.

Rising Steam

I did my 4-mile interval run again today, with a short walk in the last interval. And with a twist. As I was walking out of the neighborhood I was splattered with big fat raindrops. I walked under the trees on Lake Forest and as I crossed the rain picked up. I walked over to the high school and stood in the doorway for about 7-8 minutes as a storm passed over. It was pretty nice but brief. Then I continued on my way, trying to avoid vehicles splashing the puddles onto the sidewalk.

On my way back from the turnaround point the sun came out. As I ran my third interval the steam rose off the sidewalk on the high bank around the pond. It was actually pretty interesting to see. When I ran through the steam I could certainly feel the humidity, which actually I felt the whole run after the rain. Kind of a unique run, at least so far.

Staying the Course

I got up early - well, 7:30, which is kind of early for a Saturday - to run before the Youngest Daughter's graduation party this afternoon. I kept to 4 miles with the same intervals I did on Thursday. I considered going another half-mile or mile, but decided that this was a chance to hold back a little and keep on the same trajectory toward recovery. The temperature was nice and mild that early in the day and I felt good with the four intervals I ran. Let's build on that over the next couple of weeks.

A Bit More Running

I'm now trying to run a little more every time, and today I took out four walk breaks, meaning I had four intervals instead of eight. By my GPS I ran 3.1 miles total out of 4. Felt pretty good, even with the temperature in the low 80s. A nice breeze was a big help.

Post-Holiday

Didn't run on Saturday because I walked 3 miles with The Wife and then had activities that mainly involved smoking brisket and ribs for the rest of the day. Today was nice - low 70s and overcast. It comes after a full day of rain on Memorial Day yesterday, and some showers on Sunday as well. I did my 4 miles with intervals, and it felt good. I think it's supposed to stay cool a few more days so I might increase the running this week.

Warm and Sunny

Another nice day for an outing. I once again did the 4-miler with intervals, and I think it went pretty well. A little humid but not horrible. I'm liking this warm weather as always. Looking forward to a long weekend since our company gave us Friday off to go along with the Memorial Day holiday on Monday. Hope the rain stays away so I can get in some more exercise.

On the Way Up

The temperature was a wonderful 89 degrees today, and it looks like our thermometer is on the way up toward summer. I did my 4 miles with the intervals and it went okay. I felt more conscious of my stride, like it wasn't quite right some of the time. My last two intervals became one when a woman was walking in the same direction right where I would have stopped. That one was probably a good half-mile, the longest distance I've run so far, which is fine. I cross-trained yesterday with weights and ankle weights, and wow did it feel creaky, especially the legs and hips. Which means it was past due.

Post-Vacation Run

Ended up not running last week due to work commitments on Monday and Tuesday and then vacation starting on Wednesday. Yesterday was our first full day back at home. I went out for the now-usual 4-miler to kick start my exercise. It included intervals, sunshine, and lots of wind. My plan is to get back to every other day for walking/running as I build mileage, and cross-training exercises on the other days. Like I used to do. Time to really get back into shape this summer so I can do a half in the fall with my sister and nieces. No excuses!

Saturday's All Right for Running

Beautiful day with sun and moderate temperatures. I continued my pattern of running/walking and went 5 miles today. I figure about 3 of those miles were running. During and after I felt good, and still do seven hours later. Saw plenty of people out on the trail. Glad that people are getting out in the midst of all this shelter-in-place stuff.

Missed One

Walked Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, but missed my walk/run on Tuesday because of work. Today I went 4 miles on the usual walk/run route and it went okay. My knees and right hip felt...not strong. I think I need to do some strengthening exercises. The somewhat faster pace seemed to help like it did last week. For whatever reason it works out the kinks quicker, but I also feel like it's not sustainable. I also thought more of my posture. Shoulders back, more upright, use the glutes, etc. If I can do this a little more I think it will pay off.

Longer

Today I went 5 miles, just like last week. And just like on Thursday, I ran the intervals at a faster pace. For now that seems to be working. The pace was between 8:00-8:30/mile during those intervals. It was a really nice day, with sunshine and a good breeze out of the south. Storms threatened earlier in the morning but nothing came of them before 11 a.m. when I headed out. And now, later in the day, I'm dealing with all the allergies from the wind.