Running in a Rain Cloud

Sunday morning I slept in til 8am and then got up to go for a run. I love running in new places. The change of scenery is energizing and it’s a fun way to sight-see. Some of my favorite runs have been in other places–Vegas, Tucson…

Remember how I said we left Portland, rainy and cold and arrived in Dallas in the middle of their first storm in 6 months?Ironic, yes. I wanted to lay in bed and relax a bit but I checked the weather app and it said the rain was going to start at 9am and last most of the day. It was now or NEVER. I got up and headed outside. I started out easy and ran down the quiet neighborhood street. I wanted to beat the coming rain.

The road was rolling and soft (easy on my knees). I ran a mile down to the main street in 10 minutes. It felt soooo good to run that fast! I am getting closer and closer to my pre-injury pace (about 9’5 mile).

It was fairly cool for Texas but still pretty warm out. It was also very humid. It felt like I was running through a cloud ready to dump on me at any second. Despite the humidity I did okay. I ran by some impressive houses and only stopped to walk a few times.

I ran through a small dog park with a duck pond. There were bridges crossing gullies where water probably was during stormy weather.

I stayed close to home for awhile until I got a feel for the neighborhood layout. Then I ventured further out. There were rolling hills which gave me a good workout.

I ran down a hill and stopped to see a historical marker–an old cemetery from the 1800’s. It was nestled in between a few new houses. Michael’s stepmom later told me that the area was supposedly built on old Indian burial grounds. Yikes! Poltergeist, anyone??

I headed back up the hill toward home because I started to feel some raindrops. I didn’t want to be too far away during a downpour. I made it back to the house just before the rain started.

Look at me!!! Almost 5 MILES BABY!!!! And I wasn’t sore at all. I had no pain, no aches, no weird twinges in my knees or legs or ankles. Nothing. It was amazing. I’ve come to the conclusion that I always run better on vacation. 😉

Run Stats:
Time: 1:03
Calories Burned: 560
Distance: 4.75 miles!

I’m happy with my run! I had no body aches and being able to do almost 5 miles felt GREAT!!

Back at the house I stretched (sort of), showered and we all ate breakfast before heading out for the day. Michael’s stepmom made a Quiche Lorraine and cheesy grits! I’d never had cheesy grits before. I loved them. They were so tasty. It reminded me a lot of polenta. She promised to send me the recipe. I want to try to recreate the grits.

I ate a bunch of fruit too (and a freshly baked biscuit). It was basically brunch since it was pretty late in the morning and we’d be skipping lunch in favor of sight-seeing. It was a high calorie meal but I knew I wouldn’t be eating til dinner time, so I did not care.

QUESTION: Do you ever run on vacation? Have you ever had cheesy grits?