I actually decided to run for a second straight day. It was only a short 5 miler around the neighborhood, but even that is rare. I wanted to go Hawk Mountain, but it was too far away and we were going to dinner. I couldn't take a chance.
The weather forecast showed mid 40s. Rather than a jacket, I just went with a long sleeve shirt and shorts. It was worse than I expected. It didn't appear to be windy, but one direction was super breezy. It was also cloudy, so that didn't help. I didn't need more clothes, but it did make my eyes water.
I started off at the elementary school. Some kids were playing hoops behind it. That is a rarity these days. I was in the other neighborhood in no time. I wasn't hurting at all, but I sure felt fat and slow today. I plodded along.
Even small hills make me work quite a bit these days. The one in the other neighborhood did today. I was going into the chilly headwind then too. That was tough, but I battled on.
It was good to finish a mile, but a long way to go. I sputtered along. Getting to the downhill and having the wind at my back was excellent. Now, I was almost too hot, as I headed to the industrial park.
I ran there and to the end of it. I looped around the building, as I often do. I was around 2.1 miles now. I'd definitely need to add on a bit to get to mile 5.
I knew coming back would be the worst part and it was. I went in the neighborhood for a short bit. That seemed to block a little of the wind and some of the hill climb. However, I was still going up the hill into the wind in no time.
Once I got past that, it was a cruise downhill with wind at my back. I was around 3.5 miles. I figured I'd probably have to add about half a mile at the end.
I got back to the school and the kids were still out there. I then ran the loop around the parking lot. The lot was busy. I guess they had some basketball games going on. That's where I used to play and I miss those days.
As I reached my neighborhood, I had 3/10 of a mile to go. I finished the shortest loop. I was calculating my pace and figured that I was now under an 8:15. It didn't feel that fast, that is for sure.
I had to go a little past my house. I finished up a block away, at mile 5. I walked back to finish off the run. It wasn't the best run. Most of my runs suck now. However, I got out there for a second straight day. That is rare.
Even more rare would be if I run again tomorrow, as I plan. I hope I can make it up to Hawk Mountain. I'll also go to Cabela's to shop, if I do that. I need some camping gear. That run would be about 8 miles on the AT, if I take the route I want. I'm hoping to see a cool sign and also a mailbox on the trail.
5 miles - 41:01 (8:13 pace) 53 feet of elevation gain
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