Got out for runs on Monday (Blanton, 3.6mi) and Tuesday (Willamette, 4mi). Both were in the afternoon and it was about 80 degrees. For some folks I realize that's nothing, but for me it's getting on the warmer side. I consider 80 to be about the threshold where once over that the run takes a noticeable extra toll. I sweat a lot more, and the run itself just feels heavier and harder. This is not surprising in terms of "hotter than normal" conditions of course. Both runs were decent, but the bigger news was that these were also my first runs not taping my ankle! The ankle did fine - zero pain or anything, and nothing aftewards. Today, Wednesday, I feel a very very minor bit of ache in my ankle, but this is often what I feel post run even with the tape. I'm planning a longer run for tomorrow and will likely tape, but we'll see, might just skip it and see.
I'm also excited right now, as I happened to get back in touch with Jared, who is a superstar adventure racer, and also a very fast mountain biker. Super fit. We got to talking about running, and now he's going to give me a tour of Pisgah tomorrow, as that's where I had planned to go, but there are no good maps, and so having a tour guide will be great in terms of starting to learn to navigate their maze of trails. Really looking forward to it. He will no doubt absolutely kick my ass: he was planning to go try to set a speed record at the
Inca Run, a 4 day race in Bolivia, but it looks like the race may not happen. Regardless, gives you an idea of his skills. I've never run with anyone other than my wife (unless you count races), so this will be interesting to see. I've already told him he's free to drop me :) On the other hand, it'll be good for me to try to keep up, do a bit of race simulation, etc.
Today I also hit REI to see if they had any really light weight and somewhat more trim//shorter shorts. I like the ones I have, but with the bit of weight loss (also proven by fitting size Medium in both Mountain Hardware and North Face brands - I have no idea the last time I work that size) and the warmer temps, I'm wanting something a bit less bulky and such. I got these:
Both seem super light, airy, thin, shorter (I think my existing shorts are all of the 9" variety). I also needed more shorts as I am ramping up to running 4 or 5 times even per week at times, and sometimes the laundry doesn't keep up :)
