Running Through Soupy-Swamp, Tower Water & Karen Needs to Chill!

Yo man, what it is blood? Things cray cray round here. Sorry I haven’t been on the blog world very often lately, but I’ve ben hella-busy. I’ve also been hella-focused on Chicago Marathon training…focused like my telescope on my neighbor Karen when she’s working in the yard a meditating monk.

That’ said, I’m trying to keep my Instagram game strong in case you really want to follow along with my journey to Chi Town…

I just ran 12 miles on a Tuesday, I’ll loiter if I want to.

Anyway guys, it’s been a rough summer. Rough like cat tongues. This is my first time training for a Fall (Autumn) marathon. Which means it’s my first time trying to run gahundreds of miles in Texas heat. It’s been hot and humid, y’all.

Runners are wilting, cacti are thriving.

4am alarm clocks phones only get you up early enough to shield you from your neighbor Karen seeing you in her bushes the sun. It don’t much shield you from oppressive heat and humidity. But we plug along…errrday.

I try to stay near water towers, ya know, in case I need more water…or towers.

6 days a week we’re at it. Leaving puddles of sweat behind us. I’m sure some coyote is out there tracking my salty trail as we speak.

Tower, give me your delicious water!

And boy howdy have we ever left some tracks all over Dallas. We’re running out of new places to run…literally.

Just another manic weekday.

But guess what kids????? We actually had a break in the hella-weather. First came rare rain…

What is that wet stuff falling from the sky?

Then came a cold cool front!!!!!!!!!!! Oh miraculous DAY!!!

I was stunned. Frozen in disbelief. I didn’t want to let it go.

It was so effing uhmazeing! The humidity was non-existent. I felt like I had been let out of a swampy cage and released into a land of easy breathing and evaporating sweat!

Felt like I was flying!!!!

But alas, it only alasted 4 days. 4 incredible, beautiful, wondrous days. But now the heat and humidity are back with an effing vengeance…like Karen when she found my binoculars Rambo.

Please tree, hide me from the mean boogie weather man.

But we got no choice, Cap. Gotta keep truckin. Less than a month until the marathon. We can tough it out.

What’s that? The cardinal rule is “just keep running”? Okie Dokie!

The heat couldn’t have come back at a worse time. In the middle of a 57 mile week. 22 big miles on Sunday alone. But we will tough it out, we will get stronger, and we will fly in Chicago.

How bout you? Ready for Fall much? Are you keeping at it? Why is Karen so up tight?

-Scott

Mars Attacks Runners & A Dewey 18 Miler!

What it is, playa playa? Hmmm – Just occurred to me that if you speak Spanish, you think I just called you “beach beach”. OK, that works too…What’s up, beaches?

It was a crazy week of running. I mean, at TNSR we were attacked by friggin Martians!!!

I don’t know what it is about all this marathon training, but I’ve been eating like I got a hole in my stomach.

It was crazy, we were just minding our own runness when they attacked!

Joke’s on the aliens, they attacked the wrong headquarters! Either way, Jewely & Andre The Human were not impressed.

We tried to make nice and offer a truce through a group photo, but things deteriorated quickly!

After this, I’m now thinking like I got a hole in my head.

Before I move on, I gotta give credit for all the above photos to @sojomy He brings some creativity and funny stuff to the table! Thanks Josh!

I move on…

Chicago Marathon training is going well. Haven’t missed a workout yet. Body feels mostly good. Tired, but mostly healthy. The weather doe, that’s another story doe. Like at Saturdays long run with WRRC…

Started at a taco joint, ran to a lake, somehow ended up in Downtown Dallas. Craziness.

Our dew point has been hovering around 70. I was reading somewhere that when it’s that high, you should just skip your workout. Welp, that’s not an option. So sweaty times it is!

It’s pretty oppressive, but with the help of friends who stick with me when I struggle, I do get through it. Thanks friends!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will have our reward at breakfast.

Salt, ice, citrus, tequila – all things that help runners recover.

And it goes on and on. More (s)miles and (s)miles. Looks like 192 miles is the plan for August…and at least 148 selfies to go with them. Stay tuned, beaches!

How bout you? Gotta plan for when Mars attacks? Do you have a secret to fighting the dew point? Wanna meet for a breakfast ‘rita? 

-Scott

Bikini’d Runners, Virtual High Five & I Don’t Need No Selfie-Stick!

Whew, I’ve finally recovered from being chased by dinosaurs!!!!

So back to more rockin n rollin (Or something like that). This past week’s long run was a 16 miler. Once again I ran with the WRRC as part of their Run My Hood summer fun.

I think I heard someone yell, “Get off my lawn!”

Here’s how it broke down: 5:30am, small group ran 3 miles. 6am, joined bigger group ran 6 more. 7am joined full group for another 7.

By the end the sun was up. I was struggling. So hot and humid. So much. And yes, I probably should’ve eaten better before hand. But we’re runners…We like self inflicted punishment, right?

Luckily doe, some of my #runbooze helped me through it!

Three throwin shade, one mad hatter.

And yes, this run did end with another POOL PARTY!!! Woo to the hoo (Or something like that).

The rest of this week has been more more of the same. Basically keepin it real (Or somethin). Let’s go through it in a series of awesome post run selfies (no stick used, thank you very much)!

Run dun b4 da sun.

Towering above the competition. Unless that tower is my competition, then it towers over me.

This is proper run fuel, right?

Virtual High Five! Go ahead, slap your computer screen. I’m keeping my hand up until you do…Do it already!

Chicago Marathon trainings has me feeling good so far. For the month of July we went 172 miles! I’m trying to remember back to my Dopey Challenge training, but that could be one of my highest months ever. Duh duh duh duh duh, I’M LOVING IT! Bring on August!!!*

How bout you? Selfies – use a stick or no? Did you slap your computer screen yet? Any post run photo requests/ideas? 

*Actually, Mr. August…I’m sorry…Mr. Texas August, please be kind to me. I want to be your friend. I really do. Maybe you could be a little cooler than normal? What do you think? Hello? Ok, I’ll let you think on it. Hugs!

Running in Sweat, Possible Fart, & Pea

I’m ready for a weather break. This Texas summer has been pretty mild temperature wise, still hot, but we haven’t had the dozens of consecutive 100+ degree days we usually get.

That said, it’s been extremely humid. So much humid. It’s like trying to run through hot pee pea soup.

By the end of my runs, I’m SOAKED in sweat. Yesterday I threw my run shirt on the corner of the bath tub. A few minutes later I heard a leaky faucet. I went to turn it off and realized that it was my shirt dripping sweat. There was a nice stream leading to the drain. I wondered if any bugs gaught caught in the “Great Spider Sized Flood of ’14”

Today’s butt sweat – some see Mickey Mouse, some see a heart. Either way it’s gross.

For the past week or so the TV weather folks have been promising a “cold” front. It ain’t came yet. And if it ever does, there’s no telling how long it’ll last.

What HAS arrived however, is some wind. The past two days we’ve had a 20 mph constant hairdrier blowing in our faces. It made today’s track workout interesting…half the track felt like I was running in place, the other half I felt a giddy up.

I made a very hilarious and extremely sophisticated video about the situation. The middle school football team practicing in the field gave me some sideways looks.

I’m not complaining, mind you, I’m just a little frustrated. I haven’t raced in a couple months. And this weather has slowed my pace, despite feeling like I’m working harder. I’m just looking forward to some reasonable fall weather races where I can go for “speed”.

I expect all this muggy weather training to pay off when we do get a break. Till then, it’ll still be minimum 2 showers per day. Rock on, playas.

How bout you? Got Fall yet? Like looking into the clouds, do you see anything in my butt sweat? Ever run in a giant’s fart?

-Scott

Runner Mansion Pool Party

I got to meet up again with the White Rock Running Co-op for an early morning long run. We had a pretty big turnout for this one.

The owner of the house told us the hill under us is their pet cemetery. Errr, what?!?

Some of us got there an hour early to get in some extra miles. I settled in with a crew going at a decent pace for me. We went 5 humid and hilly miles. Then we met up with the main group to run some more. By then the sun was coming up and it was hot as crap!

Oh, did I mention this run was hosted at a mansion?!?!

Excuse me…do you have any money that I can like, have?

I added another 4 miles with the main group (That’s 9 total miles for all you arithmetic-challenged folks). I wanted to go further, but the heat and humidity really zapped my energy.  I had to stop a few times to pour cold water on my head.

Ala my blogging buddy Salt’s pic, you can see the humidity here too.

Luckily the mansion had a huuuge pool for us to cool off in.

I also got to catch up my pal Virginia (who’s also a runner). That’s another bonus of showing up to group runs ~you never know who you’ll run in to! (see what I did there?)

Yes Virginia, there is a Running Clause.

I also got to make some new friends.  Ya know, cause we all need more people to talk about running with!

I almost wore those same pants.

Anyway, like you could maybe see in my Vine above, the pool area also had a full outdoor kitchen with food, a keg, margarita machine, sand volleyball court, outdoor shower, etc. I felt like I was in an episode of Cribs!

I call this one “Boy flying a paper plane that is really made out of metal”.

And being that I’m so sophisticated, I was able to blend in…because I’m fancy as crap!

I’ve always been Klassy with a capital ‘K’.

All in all it was a good time!  Now I just need some more money so I can get a mansion and host runs.  Maybe I’ll start a Kistarter campaign.

How bout you? Hang out at mansions much? How do you handle running in the heat?  Who wants to pledge funds to my Kickstarter?

-Scott

PS – It’s been crazy busy around here and so I’ve been “offline” the past few days. Can’t wait to catch up with everyone!

Full Frontal Running & Not a Taco

This week we’ve had a 2^nd summer cold front come through! I had to take full advantage of the front. So I guess you could say I went ‘full frontal’? Is that the right use for that term?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still pretty warm and muggy, but at least it’s not 103 degrees anymore! Compared to last week, my runs this week have been night and day (well, I actually ran mornings).

I felt so fast, like I was a blur.

Yesterday I got in a quick 4 miles and today I did some track work.  And get this…while lapping the track, it actually started to rain!!! So for once I wasn’t just sweat wet, but also cool rain wet. It was like heaven (well, except for the out of breathlessness and the puke-y feeling from the 800’s).

Anyway, other than that I know I haven’t posted a taco photo in a while, but here’s an ad I saw for a local Mex fast food joint…

I should have them arrested for this.

For those wondering, No, I’m not planning on getting one. Doesn’t look as appetizing as the tacos I normally get.

I’ll take these instead please.

Though it is free…so I suppose I could get it, take a bite to try it, then throw it away. But that sounds like a lot of effort.  Meh.

Anyhoodle, I hope this front sticks around a bit longer.  Gotta get in some more runs while I can!

How bout you?  Any wet workouts this week?  Would you try the taco burger?  Anyone else go full frontal?

-Scott

Sweaty Miles & Sexy Yoga

This weekend I got in a couple extremely sweaty runs.  First up I met up Saturday morning with the White Rock Running Co-op.  I know several of the members of this group, but it ws the first time I’ve been able to join them for a run.  I’m glad I did!

This run they were meeting at a member’s house so we could run his hood.  I’ve always loved when I’ve had someone visit our place and I get to take them on a run of my usual routes, so I really liked this concept for a run.  The local had routes mapped out from 6-10 miles.  I did 8.

There were some speedy folks in this group – it seemed like everyone was wearing Boston Marathon swag.  But there were other paces too – even walkers.  I ran with a group that said they would do an 8:30 pace – they lied.  We did closer to 8:00-8:15.  But it’s good to go faster than you maybe wanted to.  If you want to get faster, sometimes it’s helps to run faster.  Doy.

After the extremely humid run they had a pool party – funzies!

It took me 4 days to stop sweating.

It didn’t cool me down much though.  Haha, in fact, the only problem with the experience was that after I went in their house to grab some grub, they had to mop the floor to clean up my sweat (serisouly)!  I felt bad, but I wasn’t alone in sweating up the floor (honestly).

Sunday I got in another 4 humid miles.  This time I took a cold shower after…it didn’t help.  I was still sweating afterwards.  But it was OK, because I went to yoga practice where I got even more sweatier…which of course makes you sexier.

#NotCreepyatAll  BTW, that wasn’t my hand.

It was a really good class, and left me pretty sore.  But I was already sore from the runs, so now I’m even sore-ier.  It’s good to be sore…lets you know you did some work son!

Anyway, the rest of the weekend included yardwork, housework, toddler time, World Cup, taking off the kiddo’s bike training wheels, and Father’s Day sushi.  Not too shabby.

How bout you?  Ever take anyone on a running tour of your hood?  Find any fun run groups lately?  How sexy is that yoga picture?

-Scott

I Need A Cold Shower…

…Because it’s hawt outside.  Very haute.  I’m not complaining, I know it comes with the territory of living in Texas, and I know it’s going to get hotter, but I have not acclimatized yet.

We’ve had a very mild spring, Texas-wise.  But this week has been more weather normal-like around these parts.  Hittin’ mid 90’s in the day, rockin 80-90% humidity at many times.

It really hit me this morning (literally).  I walked out the front door for my morning run and Boom-shaka-laka – here’s a hot wet towel slap to the face!

I only ran a 5k+, but I was absotivley SOAKED!!!  But hey, at least my pores were cleared and toxins flushed out, right?

Yes, that’s my butt sweat from sitting on the ground. And yes, I have a heart shaped butt.

Yup, we’re getting to the point of multiple shower days.  And yes, mine was cold.  Otherwise my body temp doesn’t cool down enough to stop sweating.

There’s nothing more troubling than the looks your co-workers give you when they look over and see you profusely sweating.  {whispers} “What is he looking at on his computer?  What’s he so nervous about?”

Anyways, nothing we can do about it, so gotta look at the positives – like it takes less time to get properly warmed up to run, or I can wear less clothes on my runs (you’re welcome world).  So bring it on Sun!

How bout you?  Do you notice a change in your running depending on temps?  Aren’t you glad that at least there’s no ice on the ground?  What shape is your butt sweat?

-Scott

 

Fake Partner Yoga, Snakes on a Trail, & Sweaty Runs

Another weekend jammed packed with workouts.  It all culminated with some fake partner yoga, but I’ll get to that.

We call this one the “Spread Eagle Toddler Superman” pose.

The weekend of workouts kicked off with the Thursday Night Social Run.  We met up this time at a great local TexMex joint – Chiladas.  I got in 4 sweaty & hilly miles.

Afterwards we were being social and it was exciting to talk to a bunch of these folks because some were heading to Deadwood, SD for a marathon/half and others were off to San Diego for a marathon/half there.  I hope they all had great races!

I like to relax right before we run.

On Saturday I got up for my long run, and it got ugly.  I had planned to go 8-10, but that didn’t happen.  It was so hot and muggy – 90% humidity.  Just gross.  It was a struggle to run though that pea soup.  But I managed to make it 7 miles – I had to – because it put me at exactly 100 miles run in May!

But dude, was I soaked with sweat glow.  It looked like I had jumped in a lake!  I think my clothes are still drying.  And I know they aren’t daisy fresh.

Who wants some?

On Sunday I got up early to meet with some friends to run trails.  As we move into the warmer months, the wildlife are getting more active.  On the trails today we had to jump over one turtle…and one snake!  Luckily it wasn’t a poisonous one, but when you see a snake under your feet, you don’t stop to ask questions – you jump!  Haha, I about gave the dude behind me a heart attack.  All told, ended up going 6 miles.

After the run, we grabbed a quick bite before going to a power yoga class.  It was a really great practice!  But before it started we were hanging out when my friend who looks like an elf asked, “You want to do partner yoga?”  I replied, “I don’t know how, but sure.”  She answered, “Neither do I, let’s make it up.”  So we did.  Hahaha!

I call this one ‘Egret Getting Sun While Squatting on Uncomfortable Bench”

Then other people got in on the gag…

“Reclining Elf on Planking Bear Back”

Luckily none of us take ourselves too seriously, or get easily embarrassed, because most of the room was laughing at with us.

All in all it was a pretty good little weekend of working out.  Now I’m sore.  I like it that way.

How bout you?  See an animals on your runs lately?  Ever do partner yoga (legit or not)?  Do you have any better names for our poses? 

-Scott

The Loop 15k Race Recap

I’ve been very diligent about my training for the Disney Dopey Challenge.  Running four races in four consecutive days will be a new experience, and I want to be smart about it.  Add to that the hefty registration fee, results in me not doing any races lately.  But not racing for several months makes a PirateBobcat go a bit nutso.  Not to mention it’s good to break up training now and again with a race.  This not only serves as a barometer of your status, but also helps you practice racing.  And of course, they’re fun!

This past Saturday I decided to race The Loop 15k by the Dallas Running Club.  Here’s why I chose it: I had some friends doing it, the weather was finally supposed to cool off, it fit into my training schedule, and the registration fee was only $10!  Also, I had never run a 15k, so instant PR! 

They call this race The Loop, because it takes you on one loop of White Rock Lake.  It’s a very popular running and biking spot in Dallas.  It’s where I go to do my long runs as the lake is about 8.9 miles around.  There are also a few detours to make add distance.  This race had to add a detour because we needed to get to 9.3 miles to complete the 15k.  I know, right, why aren’t we on the metric system, except for races?  Haha!

The start/end was at Winfrey Point. I assume named for Oprah.

My last several half marathons have been run at around an 8:12 per mile pace.  My goal after the Dopey is to get faster and the next step is to run 8:00 min miles in a Half.  I secretly hoped I could do that in this 15k.  I thought that hope was out the window when I arrived though because the weather was not cool like the weather dude promised.  It was in the low 80’s with 90% humidity.  It was swampy.  I did a quick warm up before the race and was absolutely drenched with sweat.  But a funny thing happened when the gun sounded – I was able to finish with a pace UNDER 8 min miles!  Here’s what had happened…

Before the race I started chatting with a dude who was new to running.  He was asking me all sorts of questions about it, which I was happy to answer.  This guy is younger and looked like he was in pretty good shape, but this race would be a new experience for him.  Also, at the start line I saw one of my running buddies – Lea.  She’s a great runner who is getting ready for the Houston and Boston Marathons.  I decided to try and keep up with her despite the weather.  My new friend decided to try and keep up with me despite his newness.  We did all stay together until about mile 7 when we hit some hills.  Not nice hills either.  They actually hit me pretty hard, and I fell off the pace a bit.  But my two friends did great and finished just ahead of me.  Lea even got 2nd place in her age group.   

I finished in 1:13:48.  Good enough for 8th in age group and 60th overall out of 512.  I was really happy with this.  Especially considering the weather, and especially considering that I took a few walk breaks through water stations (and part way up the last nasty hill).  The conditions were so bad that I had to briefly stop at one point and tighten the belt lace in my running shorts because they were so heavy with sweat that they kept falling down, and I didn’t want to have a wardrobe malfunction on the course – especially in case a race photographer was around! 

Say ahhhhhh!

There was also a 5k race that I had some friends in.  In both the 5k and 15k, my other friends did great in their races too!  It was tough out there and I’m proud of them all!  One friend even got 1st in his 5k age group! 

But here’s the thang – about 15 minutes after I finished my run, the skies opened up and it began to pour down rain!  I was glad I finished before the wet stuff came down, but after it passed, the weather dropped down into the 50’s!  What I wouldn’t have given for those temps at the start of the race!  Oh well, what are you going to do?  Hopefully those cooler temps will stick around for a while for my next round of training runs. 

Anyways, that’s why there are no post race photos – because it was pouring rain and cold as crap.  I’ll try to take a photo of the lake next time I run there.  Some nice views!

I know this was a big racing weekend around the country.  Did you race?  How’d you do?  If not, what did you do?  How’s the weather there?

-Scott