October 2013

Nora woke up twice tonight -- she has a case of the sniffles. So I woke up for the 3rd time at 6:30 and figured I'd go for a run. Wasn't too cold, run went well. In the mornings there is more traffic, so a longer wait to cross Lee Highway.

I planned to go for a longer run today but I felt tired on my run. I was a little bit grumpy in the morning so I guess I'm really tired. When I felt my right knee weirdly while going up the first hill on Custis, I decided to not do 6 miles but do our 4.5 miles course instead. First time in forever that I felt something like that so taking it easy.

I won't be able to run tonight so I went in the morning instead. Sasha gets up at 6.45 am these days so I got up with her and left at 7.00 am. It was still dark when I left, but when I got back the sun had gotten up. As usual, early morning runs are slower for me. I stretched well.

"I feel like I'm on stage", I told the bicyclist who came in the opposite direction with impressively bright headlights.

I went for a run without Nora so I used my new running belt, instead of the highly visible running stroller. The belt works well but there is always a trade-off between having it too loose so it moves and too tight so it makes my sides start hurting.

It's been a long time since I ran on two consecutive days. I try not to do it, in order to prevent injuries, but it was a beautiful Sunday morning and I wanted to take Nora out. We had a great run together, the first in almost two weeks. Ran slowly, felt good.

Last Saturday I ran 6 miles, and the next day I had a cold. The long run might have lower my immune system's strength a little bit. Anyway, thankfully it was a pretty mild cold (Nora had it a day before me) and I'm pretty much over it. I ran my usual route today, 4 miles, without Nora. I took it slowly and completed it in 44 miles. Feels great to be running again.

For the first time in a while I ran 6 miles again. Last long run was 6 months ago, the Cherry Blossom 10 miler. Nora is sleeping now and I took the opportunity to go for a longer run. I did our usual route but extended it. I crossed 66 near Henderson over a dedicated trail bridge.

I love the trails here in Arlington, and they are in great shape. The path along the Ballston Pond is a little bumpy though... but during this run I quickly read their brochure their about the renewal plans and it said they'll fix the trail also. Great county to run in.

Running this makes me want to go further and further. Why not to East Falls Church? What's beyond? Ha. Hope Nora doesn't get jealous... but a next time she can join me for this run, only takes about an hour and the hills are not steeper than normal.

We ran the same distance as on Sunday and were three minutes faster. It was much cooler today. It's not a bad route. It avoids having to cross the 66 exit, although it still requires us to cross Washington Blvd which is an unpleasant crossing.

We ran a little longer today, added a run around Ballston Pond to our usual course.

Nora was very happy that we were going for a run. She really loves it! So do I.

We left at 6.30 pm and it was already getting dark. I switched on the yellow chain light at the Kirkwood crossing near the Italian Store.