Running in Alabama

I’ve already encountered a few challenges in running here in Alabama.  First, I had to find a place to run.  The track workout on Tuesday wasn’t so difficult, as I was able to find a track; the rest, though, has been a challenge.  Road shoulders seem to exist on the high-traffic roads.  There are not a lot of bicycle lanes … and, by “not a lot”, I mean “none”.  Nonetheless, I need to run, so I run regardless of the roads.

The track workout Tuesday was a bit of a challenge.  Anyone remember the Riddick movie (starring Vin Diesel) in which the sun was so hot that anything caught out in the sun explodes into fire?  The sun felt something like that … at 0800 CDT.  At that point, it was about 73 degrees, with 89 percent humidity.  It was nasty.  I know I didn’t deliver a full and proper workout, and I don’t think I could have.  I’m just glad I finished the work at all.

6 miles, 55:07, 9:11.1/mile

After that run, I got to visit briefly with a couple of my former schoolmates; that was a nice bonus!

Dear Christy and Heather,

It was great to see you!

Sincerely,

Darrell

Wednesday’s workout was really challenging.  At 0700 CDT, the temperature was 72 degrees, with 94 percent humidity.  I was quite happy that it rained a bit.  On top of the weather, I picked what was, to say the least, a challenging course.  The course started with a half-mile-long and rather steep hill.  After the corresponding downhill, there was another decent climb, then a flatter area, then a long, long, steady uphill.  At the turnaround, I was rewarded by a long, long, steady downhill path.  Unfortunately, at the 8-mile mark, I had to face that half-mile-long hill again.  Ugh.  At least the last half mile was downhill.  Ultimately, for a long run on a rough course in rough weather conditions, I am pretty happy with my result.

9 miles, 1:34:19, 10:28.8/mile