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.