Not so long...

I intended to run long today and experiment with fueling. I woke up early. I had two and a half hours, maybe a little more. I headed out the door with great expectations.

My plan when I started out was to run four loops with my house as the starting point for each of them. I did the first 5K loop without any problems. I ran past the evil dog's house without incident. I ran in the ditch to avoid a truck coming around the corner. I jumped out of my skin when I cat spooked in front of me. Stupid cat! I took a pit stop, ate half a banana, filled up my water bottle and went on.

My second lap went as well as the first. No real problems. I know I'm going to have to walk some on my 100-miler this fall, so I walked for a bit on a couple of the uphills. It felt good to relax a bit. I drank some water and downed a GU while the going was slower.

I didn't stop at home between my second and third loops. I just turned from one into the other. During my third loop, my left foot began to hurt. I ignored it and ran on. I walked on School Street's little uphill section, then ran up to Maple and zigzagged my way over to Locust and Stout. I ran south on Stout and decided to take another break at the house.

In the house, I did my business, got a drink, downed the other half of my banana and headed out the door again with my water bottle topped off. When I got outside and started running again, my foot complained loudly. Not wanting to aggravate it and be laid up for weeks on end, I stopped. I'll run long another day. (garmin data)

Quit yer complainin'...

There’s a little verse in Philippians 2 that bothers me every time I read it. In Philippians 2:14, Paul commands believers to “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” (NIV)

The apostle can’t be serious, right? This has to be a mistranslation! But try as you might, you’ll find the same message no matter what translation you use.

The New Living Translation is the same except for the conjunction used: “Do everything without complaining and arguing.”

The English Standard Version has it: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

The King James says: “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.”

The Message: “Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!”

The New American Standard advises: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

The Amplified Bible is the worst though: “Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves].”

No wiggle room there. Complaining is sinful because, as the Amplified suggests, it brings into question the character of God.

When you grumble about the weather, you’re saying God doesn’t know what he’s doing. Isn’t he the one in control?

“Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’

“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’

“Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’” (Matthew 8:24-27)

When you whine about not having anything to wear as you stare at your full closet, you’re dishonoring the God who provided every stitch of clothing you own. Didn’t he promise to feed and clothe you?

“And why do you worry about clothes?” Jesus asked his disciples. “See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:28-33)

When you complain about the kind of people God is bringing into the church – I hope no one is doing that – you question God’s judgment. That’s not smart.

“Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and “sinners”?’

“Jesus answered them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ‘I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’” (Luke 5:29-32)

Complaining makes God out to be incompetent, disinterested, uncaring, evil. Is he any of these things? No! He is good and his love endures forever! He is worthy of worship not whining!

QT and back...

I woke up around 4:00 this morning. I laid around in bed for a long time. I did not go back to sleep. I finally gave up and put my feet on the carpet and got ready to run.

I walked a bit once I got outside just to make sure I was actually awake before I started running in the dark. When I realized it wasn't all a bad dream, I hit the "go" button and sped up to a slow run. I was not overly motivated. I just wanted to cruise.

I ran over to Meridian and headed north. I paid close attention to the sidewalks especially when I was running in shadowy spots. No sense in tripping and hitting the deck two days in a row.

I'm not used to running from Maple, so I was surprised when I got to Central so quickly. It was only about a mile from my starting point. I turned onto it and ran toward Zoo Boulevard. The sidewalks were a bit narrower than I like, but at least I wasn't running in the street.

At Zoo, I turned and headed toward...well...the zoo. I ran on the wide, wide sidewalk all the way to where I ran under I-235. There I cut across the road, dove down through the ditch and picked up the bike path bridge over the flood control waterway. That traversed, I crossed over to the zoo and ran along the shoulder all the way to 21st and Ridge where I ducked into the QT for a pit stop. I talked with a few runners who had done the same before heading back the way I came.

I felt good for most of the return journey. I saw a lot more runners and cyclists out than I had earlier. I greeted them with all with a cheery good morning. Just before I crossed over the flood control ditch again, I heard someone say, "Hi, Mike!" It was a friend who serves in the Air Force. He and a bunch of friends were out for a run. It was great to see Lou if only for a second or two.

I hit the parking lot across from the dorm where we're staying just as my Garmin clicked over to 10.5 miles. I stopped it and walked my way over to the back entrance. I let myself in, woke up my wife and sat down to a big glass (or two or three) of Gatorade. Running is sweaty business when it's 80 degrees out and humid! (garmin data)

Down the street...

After breakfast, my wife went out for a short run. Her Couch to 5K program called for a 25-minute run, so we walked over University Street and headed east. We did our best to stay in the shade since the temperature had risen to about 85 by this time and the sun was doing it's best to kill all living things.

When we got to Seneca, we ran north to Maple, turned west and proceeded to run back toward the Friends University campus running down one block and up the other the whole way. At 25 minutes, we were about a block from where we started and my wife decided to start sprinting toward home. We ended up with almost 26 minutes and just over 2 miles. (garmin data)

Around campus...

I did NOT get up at 4:00 today to go running with Adam! I slept in till 5:30 and ran by myself!

I started out with a short walk before proceeding to run an initial loop around the entire Friends University campus. I stayed mostly on the sidewalks as I ran, but ran short stints on the streets. Some where along the north side of the loop, just off campus, I tripped on a nasty crack in the walkway and dropped to the ground. Thankfully, I had time enough to react and roll and ended up with no more than a little scuff mark on my left hand and a bunch of grass on my back.

When I got back around to my starting point, I ran on and started running this way and that all over campus. I followed most of the sidewalks, running between buildings, up steps occasionally and around benches and flowerbeds. Aside from the high humidity, it was a really enjoyable run. (garmin data)

Running with friends...

I met up with my friend Adam last night. He's the guy I'm running 100 miles with in November. I said, "Are you running in the morning?" Stupid question. Of course, he was. "What time?" I asked. "4:45." Seriously?! Ugh!! We figured out the meeting place and a little later, I talked another friend, Donnie, into running with us.

Donnie and I met at 4:20 and drove to our meet up with Adam and his friend, Andy. Adam, for the first time in years he said, was late. He actually overslept. We were waiting around for the guy who'd told us, "Don't be late! We start on time!"

He got there and we started running around 5:00. The first seven or eight miles felt great. We ran north to the rail trail and took it east to just under six miles before turning around. At the turn around our pace quickened. I still felt good until somewhere after mile eight. Then the bottom fell out. I started burping. I felt like I was going to puke. At mile nine, the rest of the crew decide it's time for a little tempo run and up the pace. I watched Andy and Donnie run away. Adam stayed with me.

When we got to Kellogg, I stopped and walked across the intersections before starting to run again. That actually helped a bit and I ran with more energy. I got to 11 mile, figured I'd had enough, so I stopped my Garmin and walked the last half mile or so back to the cars.

There we said our goodbyes and Donnie and I drove back to the conference center where we're staying. (garmin data)

Flying at ground level...

I started out walking a block or so from home before beginning to run. Maybe that helped. I don't know. All I know for sure is that I really enjoyed my run this morning. My legs felt good and my feet felt like flying. Occasionally my stomach protested the pace, but my mind shut it up and I kept going.

I began my run heading south on Highway 54. I ran out past the construction at the junction of 54 and 61. It's nice to see they're making real progress. Can't wait to put my bicycle tires to that beautiful fresh asphalt! I ran on along the shoulder past the truck stop and the new Maurices and Hibbet Sports stores, past Wal-Mart, past the Case International dealership into the country. As I ran along, I kept glancing at my Garmin. I couldn't believe my pace. It was always in the lower 8s.

When I got to the road that would take me toward the lake, I turned south. I ran down the hill enjoying the feeling of my legs turning over far faster than usual. My pace on the steepest part of the downhill was under 8:00.

As I approached Lake Road, I spotted a little beagle out for his morning constitutional. He didn't spot me. I hoped he wouldn't. I knew this dog. He'd followed a couple walkers a time or two and I didn't want to bring him back to town with me. It ended up that I had no reason to fear. When he looked up and spotted me as he was crossing the road just in front of me, he started in fear and ran off. I guess he must not like fast people.

I ran on up the hill on Lake Road to Country Club and turned north. I once again dropped under 8:00 pace as I bombed down the hill into town. I turned onto Sixth Street just as I was passing the five mile mark. I was on pace to hit 10K near or just over 50 minutes. Only two times had I ever dipped under that mark, so I pressed on.

I don't know if it was the hill on Parklane or the rise on Third that slowed me up, but I missed a sub-50:00. I'm still pleased with my 51:01. It's probably in the top five of my best 10K times ever and it felt a lot better than I remember any of the others feeling. It was great to do something different than the long slow runs I've been doing. (garmin data)

Pleasing the Lord...

"We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:7-10)

Do you share Paul’s goal? Is your aim to please your Lord?

Far too few people have their hearts set on that, far too few have serving Jesus as their top priority. They love God with half their heart and half their mind and half their soul and half their strength. They mostly live to please themselves and they find preachers who encourage them to focus their efforts and their faith on the stuff of this world.

The message that is most popular today is the one that says Jesus wants you to be rich and have all you want. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, that is not what faith is about! Faith is about pleasing God and bringing him honor! The things that you do that bring glory to God now will be the things that you will receive commendation for when you find yourself at the judgment seat. You will not receive God’s "Well done, good and faithful servant!" for asking boldly for a bigger house or a nice car or more money to spend on your wants. His “Well done” will be spoken to those whose faith led them to do His will not their own.

Do you believe God is able to reward those whose devotion is unfaltering? Then live like you believe it! Obey him! Enjoy him! Serve others! Live by faith, not by sight! Trust God to work out the things that don’t make sense. Trust God to see you through the difficult times in your life. Trust God to right every wrong done do you, to give you grace when you fall, to bless and bless some more. Trust God for all your life and see how good he is at rewarding those who love him. What you will receive in eternity from your Father’s hand is far beyond what you can imagine!

Belated birthday ride...

I didn't have time (or energy) to ride on my birthday yesterday, so when I woke up at 4:15 I decided it was better late than never and got up.  Getting ready to cycle takes so much longer than getting ready to run. Still I was dressed and on the road shortly after my feet hit the floor.

I rode for the first hour plus in the dark, reading my Garmin every mile when the light came on. I was averaging 18.8mph at one point, but that didn't last. As I rode further, the average dropped until at my turn around I was down to 17.9mph.

The wind, which according to the WeatherBug was out of the SSE, did not help me much on the way home. I stayed at 17.9mph for what seemed like forever. Finally I jumped up to 18.0mph only to lose it again a few miles later. It was only in the last two or three miles that I got it back up to 18.0mph and kept it there.

I guess that's all for now. I rode 46 miles, one for each of my blessed years out of the womb! (garmin data)

Hitting my goal...

I hate my in-laws’ alarm clock. It scares me half out of my mind when it goes off. Where do you find an alarm clock to wake the dead anyway?

Since I was awake (and alive), I got up and readied myself for this week’s final run. I left thinking I’d run north and see how close I could get to my friends running at Sedgwick County Park. I knew I didn’t have time to make it to the park, run with the group and get back, so I settled for an out and back and thinking about all those runners enjoying the big green loop.

I started north on Osage, then jogged over to Oak. When Oak dead ended, I turned west and ran over to Seneca where I again turned north after crossing to the west side of the street. Thus began the long trudge. I ran on the west side of the street until it looked like the sidewalk ran out, then ran back over to the east side and kept moving forward.

After I crossed Maple, I started looking for a gas station. I needed a pit stop…now! I made it to the QT at Douglas before an emergency developed.

From the QT, I ran north again and made it up to McLean where I crossed the street and dove down onto the river path. I ran along the path to the west, encountering a couple of cyclists and a lone runner while taking in the wonderful smell of the too-low river. It was not pleasant.

At 4.9 miles out, I turned around and headed back home. I ran back up the trail and was startled just before Seneca by a guy with a backpack stumbling through the trees on my right. I just kept running, climbed up the ramp and hit Seneca heading south.

I ran for a short time on the west side of the street, then ran over to the east side and stayed there for the rest of my journey. I had to dodge low hanging branches here and there and run around a car or two parked across the sidewalk, but for the most part it was an uneventful trip.

I turned east on Savannah when I got there and followed it around to where it turned south and became another street. I never looked at what it was named after the curve. When the street ran into 27^th, I turned west, ran over to Osage and returned to my starting point. I ran on past where I’d taking my first step in anger and hit stop on my Garmin just before my in-laws’ driveway.

With this run, I reached and surpassed my goal of running 60 miles this week. Next week, I think I’ll throw in a few early morning bike rides and a longer run or two. I’m not going to run every day. (garmin data)

Iuka half marathon...

I awoke early this morning and headed out for what was supposed to be a nice run in the country. I plotted a route that would come out to around 11 miles, set its twists and turns in my head and exited my front door.

My original plan was to run this route in the opposite direction that I did it. For some reason, I decided when I got to Stout to turn north and go counterclockwise instead. I ran out of town in the dark, passing a walker whose cigarette smoke I could smell from a block away. Not the most pleasant thing when you're running, but I gave him a cheery "good morning" anyway. I ran past the cemetery and around the corner, down the hill and quietly slipped past the aggressive dog's house without rousing him.

When I got to Highway 61, I turned north again and ran up to 20th. I had a couple of closer than I'd like encounters with vehicles on the highway, so I was really glad to get off of it and run west on the less traveled pavement of 20th.

When I came to 10th, I turned north again. My plan was to run to 40th, turn west toward the airport and then turn south on Highway 281, but when I got to 40th I was feeling good and ran on. I kind of wish now that I hadn't done that, but it seemed like a good plan when I did it.

I ran to 50th and turned east on it. The road took me into Iuka by the Kanza Co-op. I was kind of hoping they'd be open so I could get in a pit stop, but no one was there yet when I passed by at 6:30. Perhaps if I'd been able to take that break the rest of this report would be more pleasant.

I ran out to the highway and headed south. As I was approaching the airport, the wheels all fell off mentally. I was constantly thinking about how nice it would be to stop. I hadn't even run 10 miles yet! All this negative thinking finally got to me and I slowed to a walk for a short time. I needed to get things straightened out. That walk didn't do it. Instead, when I started up again, the thoughts were worse. The continued internal nagging led to two more short walk breaks. Grrrr!

After the third walk, I'd had enough of this stupid stuff! I determined in my heart that I would keep running to 13.1 miles no matter what. I ran into town, crossed over the railroad tracks and turned onto Maple. Shortly afterward, I finished the half marathon distance and hit stop on my Garmin.

My walk home was a slow one. I picked up a few cans and threw them in the cage at the church to help kids raise money for camp. I got a drink of water at the church too, then struggled home. I arrived just as my wife was leaving on her run. I think hers went better than mine. (garmin data)

A little dirt...

I should sleep more...really I should. I woke up at 4:30 this morning after a later than usual night playing games with friends. I stayed in bed for a little while, then got up and headed out the door.

My first goal for the morning was to finish off the small southeast part of town that I hadn't run yet this week. That didn't take long. It was only a three or four block section. After I did that, I ran out and around Wal-Mart and on a whim decided to take in a little of the countryside. I ran out and around the dirt "block" nearest to town and then turned into the industrial park north of the college.

I ran south, cut across a small field and entered the back side of the college campus. I ran around some buildings I'd never explored before and came out over by the ball diamond. From there I took the main campus drive around to the hotels and ran south along the access road. Jumping off the access road in the Holiday Inn parking lot, I ran cross country to the truck stop.

Running across Highway 61, I took the shoulder on the other side and ran back north to Younie's Landscaping. It was great to see new pavement on 61. This bit of repaving was long overdue!

From Younie's I took the road past the cemetery and ran south on Stout. Toward the end of Stout I got a cheery, "Good morning!" from Sharon. She's great to be around! When I got to Highway 54, I jogged over a block and took Lawrence back up the Maple. Over another block and I ran back toward home.

My original plan was to run 10.25 miles, but I was feeling good when I hit the distance. I wanted to keep going, so I did. I ran this way and that until I hit 11 miles close to home. I stopped the clock and walked a short cool down. (garmin data)

The far side of town...

I woke up to my blaring alarm at 5:20. Ugh! I rolled out of bed, stopped the BEEP, BEEP, BEEP and headed for the back side of the house. I dressed quickly, checked in on dailymile, posted my dailymission answer, then headed out the door around 5:40.

I hadn't yet run the far southwest side of town yet this week, so I headed that way. I ran down to Highway 54 and took it across town till the sidewalk ran out. From there I zigged and zagged until I found myself at Ridgeway. That's when my pattern of north-then-south-then-north-then-south began.

It was interesting to run this side of town since I don't usually visit it. I ran in unfamiliar territory, waving at unfamiliar dogs. Thankfully they were all lazy or on a chain.

When I got to Jackson, I spotted a man out enjoying a cup of coffee outside what I thought was a business. I was pretty thirsty, so I asked if I could have a drink of water. He acted kind of strange, but agreed. When I stepped into the "lobby" of this "business", I discovered why he had hesitated. I was a stranger and this was his HOUSE! I was a little embarrassed, but thankful for the drink. I tipped my cup back, drained it, then continued on my way with a "Thank you. Have a nice day."

The rest of the run was pretty dull. I started feeling a little queasy at some point, but it never developed into full-fledged nausea. I ran back home and stopped my Garmin at just under 1:39. With today's 10+ I'm a little over half way to my 60-mile goal for the week. (garmin data)

Ten more...

My goal for this week is to run at least 60 miles. That means I have to run at least 10 miles every day. I did 11 miles yesterday. I did a little over 10 today. I'm on track! Woohoo!

I ran close to home today. Starting out, my plan was to run north and south zigzagging my way slowly east and then run out on Maple, circle around by the cemetery and the zigzag east again toward home. The urgent need for a pit stop when I was less than three miles in threw that plan out the window. I had to go off course and return home or lose my dignity.

After my break which included a nice drink of water, I went back out and started running some of the little east-west side streets that I'd ignored earlier. Then I started working my way east again. At some point I decided to throw in a few alleyways. That led to another revision of my plan. I decided to run every street and alley east of Larimer. With a few repeated blocks, I did that and ended just north of my house. I walked a block or two to cool down, then came in for some much needed Gatorade. (garmin data)

Zigzagging across town...

I decided it was time to get serious about training for my 100-miler on November 9, so I went for another longer run this morning. I didn't get up nearly early enough to do this really. By the time I was done it was almost too hot to be out. Ugh!

I started off running south, not knowing exactly what I was going to do. When I turned onto Howard, I decided I would run as far south as I could, go over a block and run as far north as I could, then over and block and south, etc, etc, etc. It was a crazy plan, but it was something to go on.

It took a very long time to get as far across town as I did zigging this way then zagging the other. I saw one friend out three or four times. She was walking her dog and I'm sure wondering about me. I was very thankful a little later to see another friend outside. I begged a glass of water, drank two, then thanking my "savior" ran on. I got home just after my wife who had also gone out for a morning run. (garmin data)

Around town...

If we're talking solely about how I felt, today's run was much better than yesterday's. I didn't have any nausea or GI distress at all. I did take a pit stop at the gas station on the south side of town after a couple of miles, but that was a normal every day visit to the john.

I managed to actually do what I set out to do this time. After running very little this week, I was pleased to be able to run this long. I would have run longer if I didn't have somewhere to be at 8:00.

Today's miles put me over 500 for the year. (garmin data)

Falling short...

I didn't have time to do yesterday's dailymission, so I went for it today. The plan was to run around my block as many times as I could in an hour. I ran a single block and started feeling a little uncomfortable. After a second block, I had to take a pit stop. Back out on the streets, I was able to knock out another eight laps before I felt so lousy I had to stop. I was going to throw up if I kept going. It's too bad I couldn't keep going. I was at 25:11 at 5K, I could've covered a lot of ground had I not quit. (garmin data)

A little trail run...

I didn't get out of bed very early this morning. It was quite late actually. I wanted to enjoy my last day of vacation. When I finally got up, my wife had some errands to do and then wanted to go for a run. We got the errands done quickly, then drove to Lemon Park to run in the shade. 

We walked out into the nature trails and then started to run. We ran this way and that avoiding dead ends most of the time. It was nice in the shade, but the lack of wind made it a bit warm. About a mile and a half into it, my wife decided she wanted to leave the trees behind, so we ran out onto the road and finished our workout on the paved sidewalks. 
After a brief cool down, we headed home. (garmin data)

Post-14er shake out...

I slept in a bit this morning after summitting two 14ers yesterday. When I finally got out of bed, I went out for a run. I ran a mile with my wife to warm up. It was her first time out since spraining her ankle several weeks ago. We ran on the trail so the surface was softer for her. She did great, covering the mile with only a short walk break or two in less than twelve minutes.

I walked her back to the house, then headed out on my own. I ran back to the trail and headed west. I wanted to run down to the intersection we'd driven through several times over the past few days. I wasn't sure how far away it was, but I knew it would give me a decent workout with the hill on it.

I lost my Garmin to dead battery before I'd even gone a mile, so I just ran by feel. I wasn't in a big hurry, but I kept a steady rhythm. I covered the out and back in just over an hour. With the time running with my wife, I figured it was close to an hour and a quarter. That means I average for "my" portion of the run was around 9:09.

Can I have some O2?

After a good night's sleep at my brother's house, I was ready to test my lungs at altitude. I got a little mixed up getting out of the housing development, but eventually found my way to the running path I spotted when we drove in last night.

Running along the path was fun. Prairie dogs were everywhere, chirping at me, warning each other that a big, old guy was on his way.

I ran down the hill and around the corner before crossing the road to run in an open park across the way. I ran till I hit my first split in the trail and took a left. I was hoping there would be a loop. There was. I had a couple of rabbits run across the path less than five feet in front of me.

By the time I got back to the road and crossed it, I was getting kind of tired. I ran up the hill at a slightly slower pace and then ran back into the housing development. I stopped when the distance rolled over to four miles. That was enough for one day up here. I was pleased that I actually stayed under 9:00 pace. (garmin data)

A beautiful ride with a beautiful woman...

My wife wanted to show me her finally-organized-like-she-likes-it classroom, so we got up at 6:00 and rode out to the school. While I was airing up my tires, she took off in a catch-me-if-you-can way. I caught her, but it took longer than I expected it to. I think she was pushing to stay away longer. On Main Street it happened again. A friend pulled up at an intersection and I stopped to talk. She kept going. I had to chase her down again. Then a stupid little dog started following us. He followed us for quite awhile since we weren't going very fast uphill. I finally had to turn and lead the dog away from my wife, then sprint away to lose him. The funniest part of that was watching him almost run straight into a chain link fence at full speed. He was concentrating on me and didn't see it. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! That done, I was chasing that beautiful woman again. I caught her at the bridge less than a mile from the school.

The trip back home was less eventful. We had a slight tailwind, so it was pretty easy going. We made it back in time to get the kids up and get them moving for our road trip today. They get up pretty easy when it means cousin time! My wife's average speed was 9.9. That's the fastest she's made the to school and back trek. Woohoo!

Sweaty trails...

I set out this morning with plans to run at least 10 miles, maybe 11. I figured I had plenty of time since I left before 6:00. I wanted to run a bunch of the miles on dirt, too, since most of the 100-miler I'm doing this fall will be on dirt roads. I thought through my options, puzzling over where the closest dirt roads were. Then I thought of my time on the trails yesterday and decided running the woods would be my best option.

I ran along the streets and through the hospital parking lot on my way to the paved trail through Sixth Street Park. I ran it, glancing a the new placards that identify some of the trees. Interesting. I turned the corner and ran down to Lemon Park where I took about half of the paved trail till it met up with the trails I was aiming for.

As I ran into the woods, I noticed the humidity immediately. It was muggy! Still, without the sun beating down on me, it wasn't all that bad at first. After a couple of miles though, it was almost unbearable. I was sweating like crazy and there was no breeze to evaporate it away. Ugh!

I gave up on the trails much sooner than I'd planned and headed back into town. I was still going to run seven or eight miles, but the longer I ran the more miserable the 71% wetness felt. I decided a block or two before Howard that I was done in. I ran through the Assembly of God parking lot and up the hill, across the highway and when I hit 6.5 miles, I stopped my feet and my Garmin. Finished. A short walk brought me home where blessed air conditioning cooled my dripping body. (garmin data)

Happy trails...

It had been over a week since my feet last slapped pavement, so I was ready to run when I woke up this morning. I laced up my Kinvara 2s and headed out the door.

I headed south on Edgeford first and continued on south on Howard to Sixth Street. My first idea was to run out to Lake Road on Country Club and run over to Highway 281 before returning home. Then as I was about to pass the trails near the sewage plant, my feet told me they wanted to run some trails. I ran past the guard tower while the snipers were looking the other way and enjoyed a nice little jaunt through the trees along the river. It was a beautiful morning to run in the woods. I borrowed the "facilities" when I came out and then left the way I'd come in. Not one sharpshooter took a shot at me.

Leaving the trails behind, I returned to my original route. I climbed up Country Club to Lake and then climbed up and over the little rise on Lake. Then it happened again! My feet turned me into the trails on the south edge of Lemon Park. There are little gaps in the trees along Lake Road, so it was as easy as anything to jump in. I once again found myself smiling as I weaved in and out of the trees and sped along the river.

I came off the trail and ran backward around the driving loop and Lemon, then headed to Sixth Street Park. I ran through the park and took the paved "trail" for a little till I found myself running north on Rochester. I skipped through the parking lot at the Dragon's Den and crossed the highway to Champa. From there a little twisting and turning brought me to 10K and my front porch.

After enjoying every minute of cycling last week, I wasn't sure how the return to running would go. I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. (garmin data)