Tag: running

Listening to Songs While Running on the Trail

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 1.55mm, f/2.4, 1/3200 sec, ISO25
 “Clouds” Cedar Park, 2021

Today I went for a 7-mile run on the hike and bike path near my house. I really like the longer routes, especially towards the end when I am getting tired. I’ve noticed one change that happens to me when I get mentally fatigued on a run, and that’s that I get more emotional when listening to songs. Today, the songs that hit me were “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears, and “Alison” by Elvis Costello.

I can’t really place what specific emotions arise when I heard these… it was just a general feeling of being moved.

Maybe it’s kind of like a type of runner’s high? I don’t know, but I do know that I enjoy it when it happens.

Here’s one of my Spotify playlists that I often listen to while running.

Weekend Distance

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/200 sec, ISO32
 “Under the Tracks” Cedar Park, 2021

The marathon training schedule I am following suggested a 7-mile “long run” this weekend, but I felt like I should up the mileage from last week’s distance so I went for a 14-mile run along Brushy Creek Regional Trail. I felt really good, especially because at about the halfway point (where I turn around and head home), there’s a water fountain and bathroom. What a huge difference that made!

Anyways, it was only 49° F when I started so I wore my Uniqlo leggings on and my old thrift-store Adidas pullover. With that combo, I am pretty comfortable running in the 50-60 degree range. Yay.

Regarding the training schedule, I think I will follow the schedule for rest days, but will use the recommended distances as a guideline. We’ll see how that goes. 😄

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/1700 sec, ISO32
 “Sunrise” Cedar Park, 2021

If you are on Strava, let’s connect so that we can cheer each other on!

Saturday Long Run

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/1600 sec, ISO32
 “Mountains to Sea Trail” Orange, 2021

Today my marathon training schedule recommended a 10-mile run so I asked my brother and sister-in-law, who I am staying with for the weekend, to recommended a nice route. They told me I should run the “Mountains to Sea Trail”, which starts at a park near their house. As the name suggests, it goes all the way to the Pacific Ocean, but my plan was to turn around at 5 miles which would make the round-trip a nice 10 miles.

At the start of the run (going North to South), there’s a couple of trails to choose from in Peters Canyon Regional Park. The trail that goes up the ridgeline is more difficult, and the first hill is named “Big Red”. At first I was going to go for it, but then decided I should just take the easy trail since I was just starting a long run. But at the last second I thought that I should just go for the hill and see how it was. And it was tough! I ran up the first part of Big Red, but at the first viewpoint, I started walking and continued up to the first summit.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/12800 sec, ISO32
 “Big Red” Orange, 2021

The view was awesome! Well worth the effort. The ridge trail goes back down before gaining elevation again, however, I decided to take the shortcut back down to the lower, easier trail, then continued my run.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 1.55mm, f/2.4, 1/4000 sec, ISO25
 “Peters Canyon” Orange, 2021

The trail left the park boundaries and continued down Jamboree Boulevard, with a bike path and gravel path. It was really nice! At the 5.5 mile mark, I turned around and headed back, which pretty much all uphill. But the incline was very gentle and with only a couple nice hills, which I am enjoying more and more.

I had fun running the north section of the Mountains to Sea Trail and would definitely like to run or bicycle farther on it someday.

Monarch Butterfly

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/6000 sec, ISO32
 “Resting Monarch” Cedar Park, 2021

I spotted this beautiful little dude on the bike/running path. I’m pretty sure he was just resting. There are a lot of Monarch butterflies in our neighborhood lately and it’s so nice to see them fluttering and gliding amongst the flowers. I just hope this guy was okay!

Birthday Run and Katsu Curry Dinner

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/1900 sec, ISO32
 “Critter Tracks” Cedar Park, 2021

Today happens to be my birthday, and to celebrate, I took the day off from work. 😄 So with time on my hands, I was wondering what to do… maybe go for a ride on my motorcycle? Maybe go for a long bicycle ride? But after all, I decided to go running. I’ve discovered that I really love it!

I ended up running on Brushy Creek Regional Trail and I felt so good that I completed my half-marathon challenge on Strava. It’s a really good feeling to know that at 53, I can still increase my distances and get stronger. I hope I can stay healthy for a good long time!

I admit that part of my motivation for running so far today was because I knew that I was going to feast on pork katsu curry for dinner. Normally I request oyakodon for my birthday dinner but I’ve been craving curry for a while now!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/40 sec, ISO800
 “Katsu Curry” Cedar Park, 2021

All in all, I had a very nice birthday. I’m looking forward to my next year!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 2.71mm, f/2.2, 1/900 sec, ISO25
 “Let’s Run” Cedar Park, 2021