Such a Happy Run

I haven't been running much lately... I have been faithfully doing my Best Body Boot Camp workouts, and getting in lots of power walking and other cardio, but just haven't managed a run.  We have had several rainy days over the past couple of weeks so that is my official excuse reason.

But when I got up this morning, I was determined to get out for a run today, no matter what the weather had in store for me.

I enjoyed a leisurely couple of hours working on my computer this morning, with half an ear to the tv, listening to all the golf wags go on and on about the penalty controversies that happened yesterday and again  this morning at The Masters, while The Captain painted one of the walls in our living room a lovely sea blue.  (He had already painted a few walls in our suite that color several months ago and decided to do another.   I wonder what the building managers will have to say about it next time they need to come in for something.)

Then I made breakfast... all the while keeping an eye on the downpour happening outside and hoping I wasn't going to have to run in the rain.

But after I got the breakfast dishes done, it started to clear up.  A few hours later, by the time we had a light and late lunch in our bellies, I knew my run was really going to happen.

And I opted for a fun run.... no predetermined route or time, no set pattern for run/walk breaks.  I cannot remember the last time I did that.  I need to do it more often because I really enjoyed it.

It was breezy so I wore a wind breaker over a long sleeved tee, and I wore a new pair of capris that I had picked up at Costco a few weeks ago... they fit perfectly, I am happy to report, and are very comfy.  When I was running through then neighborhood I didn't really notice the wind, but when I took a turn toward the Strait I could feel it a bit more.  And I certainly noticed the darkening sky.  I even took my sunglasses off at one point to see how dark and grey it really was getting and what direction the storm was moving.

When I got to the waterfront and started running over the crest of the hill I could feel the Westerly wind almost stop me in my tracks.... so I ran a few more blocks facing it and then veered off into the residential area again to avoid it.  Finally a light rain started to fall... so I started to head toward home and a few minutes later got pelted by hail.  And it hurt! Thank goodness I was only a couple of minutes from home at that point, but even so, I was soaked by the time I got into our building....

But happy!  It was a great run and I thoroughly enjoyed every step... even if  I would have liked it to be a bit longer.

I did wear my heart rate monitor today.  When I run alone I really have no idea of my pace... whether it is too slow or waaaaay too slow, or possibly even just right... so wearing the heart rate monitor helps me with that.  I meant to keep my run around the 80% mark, for the most part.

And I did... I did notice a few times that it was around 72% to 75% and even as high as 95%, but it was mostly at 80% - 84%.  A few times I tried to gauge how hard I was working and how fast I might be going.  I never got out of breath so I know I was not working to capacity.

W3 R44 @ 30/1 W3
stretch 10 minutes
distance = 5.55 km

Ah, it is hailing again now and the stones are getting bigger.... good thing I came in when I did.  Those poor birds in the park...

Ducks near the lake...

Geese and a sea gull..

and on the street.

Did you run today?

Do you head out for a run if it is raining or there is the threat of rain?