Return to Running in Pictures

I started my running come back a few months ago when we were on vacation in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.  One of the things that I really like to do on vacation is to go for a run in the morning.  And running along the coast somewhere, next to the ocean with incredible views of waves and blue water is also something that I consider kinda awesome.  These two things combined made me circle the first morning of our stay on the island as the day to start my return to running.

It turns out that it is actually very hard to run after taking six months off, and the humidity is very high, but it was great and the views really helped.

The run started near the hotel on the north end of the island.

I go to the west side of the island, which is open to the ocean.  There is a nice "boardwalk" that starts by an open area that appears to be used for big gatherings or festivals.  It's always been empty when I go past, but I figure it is used at some point during the year when I'm not here.

The view of the sea is really impressive on this side of the island and this concrete "boardwalk" is really a great way to see it.

For a good stretch of the boardwalk, there are these little things on top of the wall.  Each is painted for a different area of Mexico or neighboring country.  

There are a lot of really nice homes on Isla that look out over the water.  Here are several near the end of the boardwalk and a great idea of what the view looks like during the run.

I decided to jump over the wall and pose for a picture.  The water really is that blue.  I really am very tired and was using this picture as an excuse to stop for a couple of minutes.

At the point that the boardwalk ends, the width of the island is very small and it is only about 75 to 100 yards across.  So I switch over and run along the bay side of the Island.  You can see some boats that are tied up and no waves.

Simple out and back run, and here I am going back on the boardwalk.  Great view.  There is also a constant breeze coming off the ocean which makes things nice (should read as - not seem as hot).

Finally this is a cool picture of a door and red bicycle in town that I saw on the way back.

Just a flavor of what it was like on my return to running.

High Five In Vegas

Ever been up all night gambling and partying in Las Vegas?  I must confess that I have never had a "The Hangover" style night or weekend in Vegas, but I can see how it might be fun.

I'm not really into gambling (because I really don't like to lose money) and all night partying isn't me either (although I did see the sun come up a few times when I was younger).  When I'm in Vegas I really like to get up early and go for run.


I usually see about 10 or 20 other runners out as well, so it's not just me that is crazy.

It's a great run - Past the boats at the Venetian, the Eiffel Tower at Paris, the fountains at the Bellagio, the roman style statues at Cesar's Palace, the New York City skyline at, well New York, New York.  They have these escalators, stairs, and bridges to take you across the cross streets which will really get your heart rate up during the run.

There are also usually lots of workers out spraying off the sidewalks to start the new day, which is a nice way of saying they are washing all the vomit into the gutters and drains.
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Last year I was in Vegas for VMworld and got up most mornings and did my run up and down the strip.  One day as I was just about finished with my run (it was about 7 am) I saw a group of five or six that had clearly been up all night and were stumbling back to their rooms.  This was right in front of Paris where there is a row of trees and street lights that divide the sidewalk (see picture above).  I crossed this line of trees, to give a wide berth to the group of "Hangover" wannabes.

One of them noticed me and crossed over as well.  It was the only woman of the group and it did not seem menacing at all - just curious.

Now this isn't like the strip during normal hours.  There isn't anybody else out.  It's just me and the group of stumbling drunk people.

As I get to about 20 yards away I can tell that she is smiling,  A bit closer and she raises her hand and starts shouting "High Five! Hiiigggh Fivve!"

I was more than happy to give her a high five, I was only worried a bit that I might knock her off balance. She didn't fall and the rest of her group gave me a hearty cheer.  A great moment.

Donkeys In Palo Alto

I lived in Texas my whole life, and so I've done most of my running in Texas.  When I travel I've always really enjoyed going out for a run.  You get views of things that you never would by driving and you cover a whole more area than if you were walking.

It's funny that the only time I can count on seeing Donkey's on a run, is when I visit Palo Alto, California on a work trip.  There are two Donkey's that live right in the middle of Palo Alto. Right along a hike and bike trail, past the million dollar 1,000 sq ft homes that are popular in Palo Alto, all of the sudden there is a nice little fenced in area with Donkeys.  The hometown of Stanford, Hewlett Packard, VMware, and many other high tech companies also has two Donkeys.

This is the kind of thing I would have never expected.

By the way, I can't remember ever seeing Donkeys in the middle of a neighborhood on any of my runs in Texas. Although I must admit that I have seen quiet a variety of wild animals in my Round Rock neighborhood over the years.

So this was always a mystery to me.  Here is the answer as to how the Donkey's arrived in the center of an exclusive neighborhood full of professors and high tech geeks.  It turns out they were there first and they have a trust fund to keep them there.

Heat Insanity

When I walk out of the air conditioning and into the Texas summer heat, the first thing that I usually think of is how great it would be to go for a run.  I know that there is something wrong with me, but running in the heat is something that I like to do.

The heat doesn't help my speed - I run slower when it is hot - but I do enjoy it.  I'm not exactly sure why.  I also don't really go for long runs in the heat - just a few miles - so I don't get dehydrated.

To illustrate exactly how intense this sickness is for me, let me point to two extreme runs that I did last year.

At the beginning of the year I was in the mountains of New Mexico.  There was snow on the ground and the temperature was hovering around freezing.  I decided to go for a run at about 4 in the afternoon.  It got colder as I ran, with a reading of around 17 when I got back to the house.  This is the run that I most dislike. Ever.  There was no heat involved.

In late August, the day that I flew out to VMworld, I went for a run just after lunch.  The weather guy on the radio station I was listening to came on and said the temperature was 104.  I was at least in the shade for a good part of this run.  This day ended up being the hottest day in Austin history. I loved this run and felt great afterwards. Tons O Heat = Good Run.

A Beginner Runner After 15 Years of Experience

The hot humid breeze from the ocean was thick with salt water fumes.  The waves crashed over and over onto the rocky beach just below the elevated seaside walkway that is on this side of the island.

My foot was still warming up and a bit stiff.  My legs were difficult to raise and bring forward as I struggled to get good breath and energy in the humid heat.  It was difficult to decide if my leg muscles, the shortness of breath, or my injured foot was the worst part of my return to running.

I'm now a beginner runner after 15 years and thousands of miles of experience.  Running earlier this week while on vacation on Isla Mujeres was my first run since late October.  The last time I ran was around a castle in Sweden last October.  The half a year away from running was due to an injury to my foot / ankle.  The forced absence of running had caused me to feel depressed at times, and even have dreams about running, so it was great to be back.

I did have to walk for a few minutes, but completed about 3 miles at a fairly slow pace.  I wanted to quit.  I didn't remember it being so hard.  My legs were very sore the next day.  It was hard to breathe.

The views of the ocean were incredible.  Relaxing on the beach that afternoon was great.  I slept great that night.  The soreness in my legs was much better on the second day.  The soreness and pain in my injured foot was better the rest of the day and the next morning.  Better than it's been in a long time.

I have an advantage over other beginning runners.  I know where this all can lead.  I remember how great it can feel to go for a run and feel power in your legs as you make it up a hill, or down the street,  across a bridge, through cold weather, hot sun, and cool rain.

I'm back to experiencing new things as a beginner runner.

Run Like You Want To

Running across campus at night was good way to avoid lots of things.  Even though I was really far north, just a couple of counties from the Red River, it still gets hot during the day so running away from the Sun was good.

It was also an excuse to put off my coursework for another hour or two.  Probably more like the next day or week, but I always got it done.

I also avoided traffic in two ways.  Running on campus meant crossing very few streets, staying mostly on sidewalks, and no cars.  Because it is night time you also avoid people traffic.  During the day there were thousands and thousands of students on campus, but at night it trickles down to just a scattering.

One night I passed this guy who was a bit overweight was and clearly limping along the sidewalk. It looked like he had just finished a night class.  I don't know why he was limping, but it looked like it was due to an injury.  Maybe a bad ankle or foot.  Just a brief picture that has stuck in my head for long time.

Running wasn't something that I would always be able to do. It was temporary.  Run like you want to because you can.

Shirtless on Gattis School Road

If you ever saw a tanned, well muscled dude without his shirt, running during the lunch hour on Gattis School Road in Round Rock circa 2002 to 2006 - it was not me.

I was the pale guy with the SPF 70 sun block running  somewhat slower than the shirtless guy up and down those same hills.  The shirtless guy who seemed to get lots of attention from passing cars was Patrick.  At least I think that's what his name was. I only knew him through seeing him out running on Gattis School road.  He actually was the one who showed me the route - that was used by lots of us lunchtime runners.  You simply left the Dell campus on Greenlawn Blvd headed North, then turn East on Gattis School and go until you have to turn back due to time or boredom or energy.  A simple out and back.

I must have run that same course at least 200 times over a few years.  The whole road is rolling hills. And the best part was that the top of the biggest hill was almost exactly at the three mile mark - perfect for a six mile run.

That last hill is at least a half mile of steady uphill (see picture).  When you reach the top and turn around to go back, you can see practically the whole city (Round Rock is bigger than you think, but yes I get the irony).  I sometimes felt like Rocky going up that hill and just wanted to raise my arms in triumph at the top.  Then turn around and have a very fast run to the bottom.