I went for a run this morning, well maybe a jog…..okay, a summer shuffle, but I did get outside! I am in the middle of the 1st week of my summer running plan and both scheduled running days have gone according to plan!
Monday was my first day out after a weekend of feeling pretty bad! I decided to drive to Cherokee Blvd because it has a nice 1.5 -mile out and back greenway (3.0-mile total), lightly rolling hills (slightly noticeable if one is driving) and some shade along the way. I started a little later than planned but not so late that I would quit because of overheating. I must say, it was hot!
The out went slow and smooth. At the turnaround point I was warm but still comfortable although I looked forward to the many shady spots on the return trip. About 2/3’s of the way home, I saw 2 familiar faces coming my way….Will and Kim were out for their morning run. We waved as we passed but they were just getting started and I was almost done so we didn’t stop to chat. The parking lot came into view and I could see the end of the trail. Yeah! Three miles complete, success for my first run of the “summer plan.”
But wait, there is more. I had my bike on the back of my car. I haven’t been on my bike in 2 months. With a couple of months of solid eating and reduced exercise, I am on my way to a chubby lifestyle. Time to up the exercise output (and cut back on the food).
Climbing back on the bike was fun! I was hot and sweaty from the run so the breeze generated by the ride quickly cooled me off. The ride was short and sweet, 6-miles at a 13.2 mph pace. Bicycling is a great way to go during the summer!
Today’s run was scheduled to be a little longer, 4.2-miles. I decided to run on Neyland Drive for the same reasons I have mentioned before, mostly flat with areas of deep shade. Although humidity was on the increase, a nice breeze drifted off the river so all was well. I finished in a slow 54 minutes but I was pleased with the effort. The run was capped off with 3 sets of 50 steps.
