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.