perfect summer weather

I know there are many places that are hot, hot, hot and I am so sorry for those folks.  I grew up in Arizona so I know hot summers.
But here, in the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to have fairly mild summers.  There are some exceptions, like the year we had a few days in a row of over 100 degrees and they had to open cooling centers (not much air conditioning here).
But this year, the sun came out on July 4 and has been shining all week.  I like to run in the mornings when it is probably about 58 degrees out there.  This morning we are off to tackle a hill and do some hill repeats and training.  Better get my shoes on!

Hello July

We have this line around here, "Summer begins July 5."  It is usually in response to someone complaining about the grey, wet weather.  I agree that it is hard to start summer break with rain and clouds but it also pushes me to get some of those inside chores done before the "real" summer begins.  This year, it has been muggy and that is new.  So I was a bit overdressed for my run yesterday but I pushed myself to keep going, no walking is my mantra.  After nursing a sore ankle this week, I was nervous about hitting the trail but I ran a little over 4 miles with no pain so I will take that.  It is July.  Just two month until the half marathon.  The time is now - summer weather or not. 

wild, weather running

We have had a wild winter - from a week of cancelled school due to snow, to sunny days in February (unheard of!) to wind and rain and hail - every day something new. 
Yesterday started with a bit of snow that turned to rain.  The sun was trying very hard to come out but it was still pretty cold.  We put on our vests, I grabbed gloves and a head band, and we headed out to run.  I was feeling a bit draggy and the wind was picking up so we turned around after 1.5 miles.  The gusts of wind nearly blew us off the path but we pushed on.  Then we felt a few rain drops - better pick up the pace we said.  But we were running right into a hail storm!  We finally veered off the trail to seek shelter near a tree but it was apparent that this was not going to let up soon so we took off and ran as fast as we could, back to the car.  Wet, cold, and winded, we toweled off, grabbed some dry jackets, and headed into Starbucks for a warm cup of tea.  It was crazy but it was also pretty fun - at least once we were out of it :)

running outside

The month is coming to an end.  I hope to get in one last run on Tuesday.  I made my 50 mile goal.  But the best thing is that I didn't let the rain get in my way.  A year ago, rain meant no running.  I remember wondering if I would ever be one of those runner who would hit the trail even on rainy days.  And now I know.  I can honestly say - it was a good run, even if I go wet.

detour

So, a little glitch in my mileage plans - snow and lots of it.  We live on a hill outside the city limits and since there wasn't any school today, nobody came by to sand the streets.  Now I hear that school is cancelled tomorrow so another day without wheels.  It is too icy to run but we did walk into town today - about 5.5 miles round trip and the walk home is uphill so that was good.

baby it's cold outside

No rain
No snow
No fog
No treadmill

So, off I went to the trail.  It was a very cold run, reinforcing the fact that I really must get some better gloves!

treadmill envy

I have never been a big fan of treadmills but this morning, I have to admit, I have treadmill envy. 
I missed a run yesterday - just could not make myself go out in the cold morning and was gone until after dark.  Today it is even colder outside.  They say the sun will come out but the high will only be 39 degrees.  By the time I get off work, it will probably be down from that but I am going to try to hit the trail anyway.  I have plenty of warm gear, but it means I will have to skip Fit Club today.  I am thankful that I have options but it sure would be easier to stay on track and hit that 50 miles per month mark if I could do some of those miles inside.

a seasonal challenge

There has been a lot of talk this last week about how to avoid gaining weight during the holidays.  The hardest thing is getting your exercise in when the weather has turned cold and wet.  At work, we are doing a No-gain/Maintain challenge.  Everyone who maintains or gains no more than 1 pound between Nov. 23 and Jan. 3 will be entered in a drawing (losing weight is okay too). 

Then I saw this idea on the Runner's World twitter feed - a challenge to run at least one mile every day beginning today.  Seems do-able.  One mile - in the rain, in the snow, in the dark.  I know that I can run to the bottom of my development and back home again to get that mile in so I am in! 

waiting out the rain

They said it would snow but it didn't.  It did  however rain, and rain, and rain, and rain.  The road to the library is closed and flooded.  They are showing pictures on the news of fish swimming across some of the roads.  I was working in my sewing room with the window slightly open and it seemed quieter.  I checked and checked again.  Sure enough, the rain was letting up!  A year ago, I would have stayed inside but now I am someone who runs, even when it is a bit wet or cold or both.  I didn't waste any time getting dressed.  The sun sets at 4:30 pm these days and it was already 3:30 pm.  But I made it to the trail and I got in a good run.  Now, if we get another break tomorrow, I can work off a few more of those extra calories I plan to consume at Thanksgiving dinner.

cold with a chance of running?

According to my phone, it is not going to be a bit chilly on the trail today.  And with the time change, it will be dark o'clock before dinner time.  Time to switch up my preparation, pull out my cold weather running gear, wool socks, fleece headband, and gloves because a treadmill does not live at this house.