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Hot Hot Heat and doing some exploring in San Angelo

As I've posted previously, I started my heart rate zone training on Monday.  For the next few months I will be only doing training in the aerobic zone.  Well, except for next weekend's Beach to Bay Relay 6th leg.  Don't worry guys, I'll still push it for that leg, after doing the 5th leg with Mila.  What I have discovered is how hard it is, at my fitness level, to keep my heart rate in range when the temperature goes up.  Both times I have tried to run 4 or more miles in 90+ heat, it ended up being disastrous.  Tuesday, I had an hour and fifteen minute run in the 93 degree heat.  I expected it to be slow, but I was hoping for six miles.  I ended up with 5 on the nose.  After the third mile, I ended up in a tough spot.  Walking, even as quickly as I could, ended up dropping my heart rate too much.  Conversely, jogging, even as slow as I possibly could (13:30ish), for more than 30 seconds would bump me above my range.  I ended up walking more than running.
hmmm.... I wrote that a couple days ago. just ran across this article from Chi Running that suggests ditching the heart rate monitor and run more to how I feel in normal conditions.  Interesting... I'll have to try that.  However, it also suggests running early in the morning.  That'll likely be my normal plan unless Mila wants to run/bike with me.
http://www.chirunning.com/blog/entry/chi-running-and-heart-rate-training-in-the-heat

Enough complaining about heat already, huh?  I gave a 20 minute practice lecture in class the other day about the benefits of running.  That was actually the basis for this blog.  A classmate suggested it after seeing how much I enjoyed running.  He also thought that I was a weirdo.  One of my "fringe benefits" was exploring a new area.  After 4 1/2 years of San Antonio, I thought that I knew what was up. I had a good feel for the area and was starting to feel like I was home.  I had explored the 2ish miles that I knew of the riverwalk (the highly commercialized, touristy section that's often highlighted on TV) enough that I rarely went anymore.  Then I started running with Carrera.  Not only did I find out that the riverwalk was actually closer to 15 miles, there was also some nature to be seen.
 I got to know San Antonio via running.  Areas of the city were opened up to me.  I was shown cool hang out spots, shopping areas, and local history.  Even on trips back home to Michigan, I got to see the area that I called home for 24 years in a new perspective.
Since this is my new way of getting to know my area, I decided that I'll have to figure out San Angelo in this way.  Mila has been coming with me as we've explored San Angelo's 4 mile riverwalk.
 The San Angelo State Park:
Today, we set out to find the red arroyo trail, a 4 mile trail running through southwestern San Angelo.  Unbeknownst to us, it was not only the grand opening of the trail but also we parked at the beginning of a local 5k.  Oh you can bet I wanted to see if I could still register (it was a little too late).  It was a nice trail but completely open to the sun.  It'll definitely be an optimal space for my pre-dawn and dawn middle distance runs!

Mila waiting in the park waiting for me to come out of the bathroom.



OK, so I'll be honest.  I didn't know what an arroyo is exactly and had to look it up.  If you're wondering it's a term used in the southwestern US for a steep-banked waterway that typically only actually has water in it after rainfall.


It rained last night so we had a bit of water and mud to deal with.  Also, that chihuahua was a jerk!


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