Back to the chilly

41 degrees this morning, had to break out the CFLST but wished I didn't have it on by Freedom Park.

A nice run, but I found myself right next to lots of rush-hour traffic coming back on Ponce.

Really felt slow going on the bike today but glad I did it.

A week in review

It's been a pretty good week with some ups and downs. Today I was back in form, starting out the morning with an early run to Flying Biscuit for breakfast and then enjoying a pretty nice ride into work, although it was a little cool out.

The ride back was good. Ended up behind a really old guy on a road bike. I played it cool and stayed behind him but turned on the jets after the road turned into two lanes on Highland. I also ended up passing another commuter that previously was about a block ahead of us. Everything is good when you have biking legs.

Last week it was a little more dicey because I had mild pain on the inside hinge of my left foot- it made it hard to push off of and I think my left knee felt the brunt of this "flat" running.

But I eased up a little and found I could run ever so slowly.

Last week on the bike I found myself in one lane on Piedmont and the po po on a bike a few lanes over. Dude started pushing it so I thought about it and then really turned on the jets, passing him.

Will run. For beer. To the next town.

Today I decided I'd let the promise of a cold draft beer be the motivation for a long run.

So I chose Decatur, the next town over, which is 3.8 miles away from my place.

It was a great idea, although I wasn't so sure part of the way into it.

I'm happy that my range is expanding. Too often I'm more of a winter runner who is already plateauing about this time.

But not right now. :)

Picking up speed

Didn't get out until around 11 p.m., after the Braves won. The air was really nice and cool. At the very end, I was able to run it in pretty fast.

I'm happy with how things are going so far...

The legs won't stop!

Ran yesterday just before dusk. I was a little surprised that even in spots where I might have stopped in the past, my legs kept going!

Rode today to work, in 55 degree weather, leaving the windbreaker at home. It was a little chilly but I was able to manage. Felt like I struggled a little more than previously to get to work.

Acquired: Biking legs

Rode today to work, 2 days rest. I really feel like my biking-to-work legs have arrived. It was pretty easy to get around and my ability to climb hills has much improved.

Today on the ride home (77 degrees) I wore my Pearl Izumi windbreaker. I thought I'd sweat like a pig with it on but it wasn't too bad. Felt breathable. And I felt like I rode faster with it on.

Peaking?

Today I didn't go out to run until about an hour until sundown. I wasn't really sure where I would go, but I ambled through the neighborhood, found myself on a road that leads into Piedmont Park, went up the path through the Atlanta Botanical Garden, out onto Piedmont, then along the edge of the park until I was back on Virginia Avenue again.

I feel like I was able to break in these shoes pretty early -- they only have about 22 miles on them. It made a difference, because they felt like I was on a cushion of air!

I hope I can stay motivated and continue the miles. In the past running about 3.4 miles during a run is enough to really drop weight.

Plus with the weather this good right now, it's neat to be out and about seeing the different neighborhoods and what's new.

It helps that it doesn't get dark until late since it gives a procrastinator like me plenty of time to get a run in.

Cold is back

After a week or so of temperatures in the high 60s and mid-70s, 57 degree weather greeted me yesterday.

After checking this blog, I knew that just a SST and shorts would be sufficient. But after I took the trash out, I went out and found my windbreaker. It's funny what registers as cold during different times of the year.

In the winter, I would have relished being out in a SST with this kind of temperature.

In the fog

Today I forced myself to ride to work because of the tasty beverages I had with the crew yesterday.

I made sure I didn't bring anything except my tethering cable. Wore gloves this time around.

The ride didn't seem to be much of a chore although it was slightly foggy.

In the rain

I like to run at night because 1). There's less runners out and 2). It's a lot cooler in temperature than during the day.

I especially like to run when it's raining because 1). There's less runners out and 2). It's a training challenge to focus.

Any idiot can run when it's nice out. It takes a different kind of running cat to be all-weather.

It was only drizzling when I started out yesterday so I left my new Novarra rain windbreaker at home and brought out a much lighter one that wasn't so waterproof.

Halfway into the run, it really was raining! I had no hat, so I really had to focus with rain all over my face and in my eyes.

So I got soaked but I didn't let on. I dodged the puddles and jumped over them and made my way home like a wet cat. Happiness is the warm shower afterward. Hanging up your muddy socks to dry is a badge of honor.

The green mile

Today, despite a very San Francisco-like misty day, I decided I would ride to work. On the Freedom Park PATH, my tires were covered in green pollen and it was different to watch a green stripe roll on the middle of my tire.

Brought my rain gear just in case. My usual rule is if the pavement is dry when I leave the house I'll ride. I don't mind getting wet for the ride home, just don't want to arrive to work soaked!

With gas above $3 a gallon, I hope to ride more to work instead of driving.