I Got Into The Lake

It was another hot one today. 101°F of glorious cooking. I thought about not going but I didn’t really have a choice. The time was right so I went for it. I’m glad I did. Honestly, that heat isn’t so bad when I am doing a normal easy run….which today was. When I have a workout run it’s a different story.

I’m not sure when or how I got comfortable running in the heat. I used to hate the heat. I had this joke that I would always say I didn’t go outside once the temperature got above 75°F. Clearly that was not true but I would start getting uncomfortably hot when it was above 80°F. Now I am constantly in 80-90°F weather and its my new normal. I guess I just acclimated.

I brought a bottle of water for todays run. My rule of thumb is if it’s over 95°F I’ll bring water for my shorter runs. Today was my typical 8 miler….I always end up at around 8.5 or so. Oddly enough, we got some drizzle last night and it appears to have had an impact on the creeks I cross on every run. It seemed deeper and it was running more today. I slipped on one of the rocks on the way out and my foot went completely in. On the second creek I just decided to walk through it. By the time I got to the lake I decided I was just going in and that’s just what I did. I run down the beach like I normally do except this time I didn’t stop at the shoreline…..I just went right in. I heard some kid ask his parents if I was ok….I got a little chuckle out of it.

The cool down was nice. I then made my way out of the water and back up the hill to the trailhead. On my way back across the creek I slipped on a rock in the other creek. This time it was in a deeper part and it forced me to catch my fall with my hand. Lucky me….I caught it with one of those insanely thorny blackberry bushes. Full open palm right into the spikes. About 7 of them broke off in my hand….not fun. Surprisingly only two started bleeding. I spent a minute or so getting the ones out I could and then kept on my way. I just got the last one out a few minutes ago….I should be golden now.

Overall it was quite and eventful run but I had a blast. I wasn’t super fast, probably because of the heat and last nights late workout run but I enjoyed it. I think I just love being on the trails. Last nights street run reminded me about that. Trails are just so much more enjoyable.