Added distance to my run

I added 1/4 mile to my distance to give a run of 3 1/4 miles. I had a great run. Even though I ran in the heat, I enjoyed the run. The temperature was 88 (F) when I left and 96 when I returned. Due to the increased distance, I think I'll take 4 bottles of water with me. The three bottles (8 oz each) is OK for 3 miles, but I'll need a 4th bottle as I increase up to 4 miles.

My wakeup heart rate was 56 and I felt pretty good during and after the run. I did take a few rest stops during the last mile -- no need to push myself in the summer heat, especially at my age. Spring and Fall are for pushing, and Summer and Winter are for surviving :)

Another great 3-mile run in the heat...

My wakeup heart rate was 54. I was glad that it finally came down. I've gotten more sleep the last couple of days, although not as much as I'd like. That extra sleep is helping my body handle stress.

It was about 11 am when I started running, and the shade temperature was in the low 90s (F). When I finished, the shade temperature was in the high 90s. The high today in shade temperature was 101. Along with this heat, we're having higher humidity. It rained during the night, and evaporation from that raised the humidity level. I drank my 24 oz (3 cups) of water and was glad that I had it. I really need to get out earlier while it is still cool. Our low last night was 66.

There wern't many others on the Parkway today. I saw a couple of runners and two or three groups of walkers. One lady was on roller blades pushing a baby carriage.

Today was a great day for my 3-mile run

Yesterday had a shade temperature high of 102 (F). This morning about 9 am, the shade temperature was 92 (F), and I thought today would be a repeat of yesterday. However, a storm front came through, the sky clouded up, and we had a light rain. When I left about 4 pm to go running, the shade temperature was 72 and a light rain, more of a mist than a rain, was falling.

Because of the lower temperature, I didn't take any water with me. However, I became thirsty during the last mile of the run. I had drunk two glasses of water before I left, but I sweated a lot during the run and could have used some water. 72 (F) seems cool compared to mid 90s, but 72 is still pretty warm for running. The good news is that I didn't take or need any rest stops. I'm still doing 45 steps running and 33 steps walking (well, not really steps; the number of times my left foot hits the ground).

I saw a rock check in a field (same place I've seen them in the past), and I saw a lot of Starlings (maybe Doves) on the path. At first I thought the birds were quail, but when I got close to them, I could tell they wern't quail. They were too big to be sparrows.

I didn't measure my wakeup heart rate this morning, but I assume it was high. I did get a good 7 hours of sleep last night, but I need at least a week of good sleeping to bring my heart rate down to "normal". I'll be going to bed soon after I post this report, and I should be asleep by 11:30.

Ran the 3 miles again

Today is the annual state holiday in remembrance of the Mormon pioneers entering the Salt Lake valley on July 24, 1847. I celebrated the occasion by running three miles again. I didn't get out early, and I ran during the hottest part of the day. The temperature was in the mid 90s (F). I drank one cup of water each mile and took rest breaks whenever I encountered a bench that was in the shade. When I run during the hot summer (or cold winter) I run to survive. Because of the extreme temperatures, I'm not trying to improve performance. I just want to get in some miles, and I run slower, take rest breaks, drink more water -- what ever I can do to survive.

Today was the running of the Deseret News Marathon that begins in the Wasatch Mountains and goes into Salt Lake City. That marathon is run each year on the 24th of July.

Oldmanrunning is one of the best independent blogs

I learned last night that treadmillreviews.net has listed this blog as one of the best independent blogs for runners and walkers. The rating was a result of a poll of the readers and writers for the treadmill site.

Ran an enjoyable 3 miles

I haven't been getting enough sleep lately, and my wakeup pulse rate was high this morning. However, I decided to run with the intent that I abort the run if I felt tired. However, I felt fine during the run and added distance to bring my total up to 3 miles. I was surprised but pleased that my body had the endurance to handle the additional distance even though it was sleep depraved.

Did a rest run of 1.5 miles

My sleeping schedule is all messed up, so I just ran 1.5 miles this morning, and that was enough for my current body condition. My body felt fine at the end, but my legs were tired. I was out at 8:30, and the shade temperature was in the high 60s (F), and there was a lot of shade on the path.

Concerning wildlife, I saw a rock chuck in the distance, my friend the crane, and two or three sets of ducklings. The ducklings were very small, meaning they are brand new. I hope there is enough summer and fall left to get the ducklings matured before winter comes.

Finished the week with another 2.66 miles

My wakeup heart rate was 54, and I felt good as I did some morning chores and then prepared for my run. I ran the 2.66 again and felt pretty good during and after the run. I was late getting out again, but this time I took an extra bottle of water with me. I rationed the water to one cup (8 oz) per mile, and that came out just right. I took a sip of water every other 30-second cycle of walking.

During the last half mile, I was blessed with some unexpected shade. The sun went behind a big cloud, and I had shade for the rest of my run. Just as I was finishing the run, the sun came out from behind the cloud.

Continued my experimenting with barefoot

Yesterday I walked barefoot about 1/4 mile and felt fine, so today I walked barefoot for another 1/4 mile on the sidewalk near my house. The concrete sidewalk is smoother than the asphalt on the Parkway, and I'll do my experimenting with barefoot on the sidewalk in my neighborhood. The sky was cloudy during my walk today, and I didn't have to worry about hot concrete. I felt fine during and after my walk.

I went barefoot today...

Earlier in the morning, I went outside to get my mail. I normally don't wear shoes inside the house, and if I go to the mail box, I usually go barefoot. Today, I thought I'd jog to the mailbox instead of walking. The jogging went well. The sidewalk is smooth, and I had no problems going barefoot, a distance of about 100 feet. I took small steps and made sure I used a mid-sole strike.

A couple of hours later, I went for my regular run and did the 2.66 miles again. I felt fine, had a good energy level, and enjoyed the run/walk. My wakeup HR was 54. I'm still doing the 30:30 (seconds) ratio of running to walking. On the way back, I decided that since my morning excursion to the mailbox went well, I'd try it barefoot to get back to my car. I took off my shoes and socks and stood on the asphalt path. The asphalt wasn't smooth, and I realized my feet weren't used to the roughness of the path. I walked around for a minute and then decided I'd walk to the next bench. So, I carried my shoes and socks and headed down the path. After I'd walked a couple hundred yards, I realized my feet felt better, and I had high hopes of making it to the bench, a distance of about 0.4 miles. However, as I continued walking barefooted, my feet started feeling tender, and I put my shoes on and finished the distance using my normal 30:30 running and walking.

When I first started the run, a few sprinkles were falling, but by the time I'd gone half a mile, the sprinkles had stopped and the sun was coming out from behind the clouds. A short thundershower had gone through.

The picture shows a barefoot runner and was taken from the web.

I was privileged to be interviewed again

I was interviewed by The joy of running, and the interview is at http://www.you-run.com/Allen.html

Ran 2.66 again, but it was hot....

I was late getting out (11 am). The temperature was in the low 80s (F) in the shade and probably 110 or higher in the sun. It was hot. I did pretty good during the first mile and a half, but the heat got to me during the last mile (especially the last half mile). I drank my 16 oz. of water and went slower. During the last mile, I stopped at benches that were in the shade and sat down.

My wakeup heartrate was 61, significantly higher than last Saturday. I could tell I was tired, and I didn't expect to have a great run.

Living a longer life

I think everyone wants to live a longer life, as long as we have good health. I just found out that this blog is listed in a page called 49 Blogs That Can Help You Live a Long Life. That list of blogs will help all of us look at our lives to find ways to enjoy life more and to live life to its fullest.

Ran 2.66 miles today -- nice run!

My wakeup heart rate was 54, and I felt great this morning, thanks to a good seven hours of sleep. I ran 2.66 miles on the southward segment of the Jordan River Parkway. The shade temperature was in the mid 70s (F) with a nice 5 mph breeze blowing. I drank 16 oz of water. A nice day!