Lunch Walking Again

The temperature is actually below 100 degrees in Texas and that called for a midday walk. Still thinking about running and now that my new shoes have 10 miles on them I think it's almost time. Today I walked the usual 3 miles and did so at a pretty fast pace: just over 16 minutes/mile. I know, if I was speedwalking that wouldn't be very impressive, but normally when I walk the first mile is well over 17 minutes/mile. At least it was a nice day and as always it felt good to get out.

Delayed Walk

Yesterday I had a work activity in the afternoon and a concert in the evening, leaving no time to walk. I took the rare Wednesday walk instead. What a difference 10 degrees makes. The temperature was only 96 degrees and for a portion of the return journey the sun hid behind a cloud. I went 3 miles as usual and felt less worse than normal when I got home. The forecast has us hovering around 100 degrees over the next ten days but maybe the season of 106+ degrees is over. We'll see.

Saturday Outing

Once again I walked the 4-mile route where I kept to the shade for a good portion in the middle part. I thought about running since the temperature this morning was in the 80s, but I was breaking in a new pair of shoes and decided not to. It looks like we're in for temps lower than 100 in the coming week, so maybe I can start mixing in some running again. We'll see since I don't actually trust the forecasts.

Earlier Weekday Walk

I walked earlier than normal today since I have plans tonight and didn't want to rush around to get in some exercise. The added benefit included getting out before the temperature went over a hundred degrees. Fortunately, I have a gap in my calendar today between meetings so I went out for a 3-miler. I considered running but even the temperature was only 94 degrees the humidity was pretty high. I decided the best course was to walk. So I did.

Weird items by the side of the road observation: a pair of crutches in the grass along Lake Forest and a baby bottle in the drainage area right inside Creekwood. I wondered if the crutches had been cast aside because someone was miraculously healed, but the reality is probably that one of the McKinney Boyd students threw them aside on the way to school. The baby bottle? Not a clue.

Still Sweating

Today's high was only 102 degrees. "Only." The long-range forecast looks like we get down to the upper 90s for highs next week and then back to the century mark for Labor Day weekend. Like they know.

The breeze today felt good even thought it was hot. I walked 3 miles and when I walked up my street the neighbor next door was putting out his trash bins and asked me how my run was. I laughed. I ain't running in this. I'll continue this pattern and trying to keep up at least a minimum level of fitness until I can run again.

Saturday Morning Walk

The weather app I use cracks me up sometimes. The message this morning was that today is forecast to be cooler than yesterday. Ha ha. Yesterday was 109 degrees, today's high will be 107. WAY cooler.

This morning I walked 3.5 miles. I could have and probably should have gone the extra half-mile, but I wanted to get home for some coffee. Seems lazy of me, doesn't it? Right now I'm on my last cup and at the moment it seems like I made a good choice.

Midday Shade

I had a break between calls after lunch plus a late call on the calendar, so I took the opportunity for a midday walk. I wondered how it would go with the noonday sun, but it was actually okay. The shade under the trees was actually better in some areas. I went out while the temp was in the upper 90s, as opposed to 106 degrees now when I would've had to go out. I walked 3 miles and was happy to see minimal work emails had arrived in my absence. Maybe I should do this more often.

Break in the Heat

For the first time this month we didn't get to 100 degrees today. It topped out at 93 degrees and you could feel the difference. A temperature almost 15 degrees lower than the usual is noticeable. I walked 3 miles total and ran a mile of it in two half-mile increments. It took a little to get back into the rhythm and not feel like I was dying. The breeze helped. I know this won't last but it was nice to get in a little running.

Getting it Done

I went out around 8:30 this morning and got in my 4-mile walk. I considered running part of it since there was a nice breeze and temperature was in the mid-80s, but decided against it. I saw a few people out cycling but not much in the way of other walkers or runners, just a couple. The high today is supposed to be 106 so I'm glad I got it done early and mowed the lawn before the heat sets in this afternoon.

Dog Days

Up to 105 degrees today with heat index of 116. We could sure use some rain. I went my usual 3 miles today, encountering a work crew blocking the sidewalk at one point. Looked like they were stubbing in a fire hydrant, which involved a Bobcat to move some of the earth around. They were gone when I made the return journey. Time to relax in the a/c with a nice cold beverage.

100?

The answer to the question of whether or not it made it 100 degrees today is unclear. On my watch it says 101, but if I look at my phone, which the watch is linked to, the weather app there says 98. On the other weather app on my phone it says 96, but the website on my computer for the same provider says 102. What am I supposed to believe?

Regardless of the temp, we experienced some cloudiness for the first time in a while. That's probably what kept the digits around 100 instead of the 105 in the forecast for tomorrow. And the next day. And 106 the three days after that. Followed by 108, 107, and 107. It's going to be a great week.

In the meantime, I walked my 3 miles today. I'll do my best to keep it going.

See Randy Walk

Maybe I should change the name of this blog to See Randy Walk since that's what I've mainly been doing lately. Today I walked 4 miles and then came home and mowed the lawn. I already have almost 10,000 steps in and it's barely 11 a.m. Pretty normal for a Saturday, I guess. I walked a little different route today to capture more shade in the morning hours and that worked well. Now it's time to relax a little before heading out for a concert tonight, during which I'll be standing the whole time. I think a nap is in order this afternoon.

The Fun Continues

Got up to 105 degrees here today but plummeted to 104 by the time I finished work and got out for a walk. I did the usual 3-mile out and back routine. I was thinking about how getting used to the heat takes a little time. When you start off when the norm is 80 degrees and stick with it as things warm up over weeks and months, hitting the century mark isn't really as big a deal. Although walking for an hour is a lot different than working an eight-hour day on a roof or doing lawncare. Hydration plays a lot bigger role in those cases.

Welcome to August in Texas

Has it cooled down any? Of course not! First day of August and today's high was 104 degrees. The heat index reached 111. When I look at the extended forecast we're supposed to be above 100 through Sunday, although I'll believe that it'll cool down when it actually happens. I went on my 3-mile walk this afternoon and actually saw a guy running. I thought I was crazy...

Pre-Heat Walk

This morning it was 84 degrees when I headed out for a walk. I considered running part of it, but with the humidity as it was I decided walking 4 miles was better than trying to run, too. So, I walked all of it. Seems like that was a good choice since I also needed to mow the lawn. Eleven o'clock in the morning now and I've done my exercise and chores. Guess I'll chill out the rest of the day.

Walk On

Another 100-degree day, another 3-mile walk. It was incredibly similar to Tuesday's outing with a breeze out of the southeast. I must be getting more used to the heat since I didn't really start dripping sweat until I climbed the big hill in the last half-mile. I guess there's something to this acclimatization thing. Actually, I don't know if that's the right word but I'm too lazy too look it up.

Back to Normal

Let's just say the lower temperature from Saturday was very short-lived. Today it's back to normal, with air temp of 102 and heat index of 107. Still not as bad as when we were into the middle 110s but the foreseeable forecast has us at or over 100 for the next week+. I walked 3 miles today and it wasn't bad with a breeze from the east. I mean, it was a hot breeze, but still better than nothing.

Running!

What a nice surprise. When I woke up this morning it was 74 degrees outside. Can't remember the last time it was this cool. Anyway, I decided to get out as quick as possible, before even having coffee or breakfast. The humidity was also pretty darn low, so it actually felt like 74. And wonder of wonders, I even ran! I went 4 miles total and ran 2.25 of it in intervals. I was wondering when I'd be able to run again, thinking it might be September before the chance arrives, but instead I enjoyed this rare summertime opportunity.

Hottie

Today was another hottie, but not the good kind. Temperature was 102 with heat index of 111, a little bit higher than yesterday. It'll be nice when I can get back to running again. Instead, it was another 3-mile walk. Can't complain too much, though, since I wasn't sure I'd get one in today with a work meeting schedule 'til five o'clock. Fortunately, it ended early and I headed right out the door.

Make-up Day

I missed yesterday due to other obligations and decided I should make it up today. Last night the weather app said "Tomorrow's temperature is forecast to be COOLER than today." Which was hilarious, because yesterday's high was 106 degrees and today's 103. Yeah, waaaaaay cooler. Anyway, today at walk time it was 103 degrees with a heat index of 109, which means the humidity is down a little. Lots of sun, obviously, but a good walk nonetheless. I really needed after work today.