Awareness

OK, I’m not so sure I have much to say, er, write. My awareness this morning was rather limited, but notable. It was about hydration. Yeah, that’s pretty important.

Thought it was discrimination, but must be a late arrival
or something. Other bikes are lined up at a rack at right.

I headed out late again – 10 a.m. – by which time it was already 81 degrees. And humid like some Lovecraftian netherworld that birthed the most wicked beast you could imagine. Alas, I was not that beast. I suffered, but not terribly.

As usual, I set out not knowing for sure just where I would run. As I trotted, huffing and puffing immediately out of the gate, up the bridge outside my driveway, I thought I might just go back and forth across it several times. That seems boring, though not easy. So I thought to head back the way I’d run Saturday, southwest out Louisville Road. Then we’d see.

Well, as I approached Henderson Street, I decided I should turn south this time and traverse the County Highway 10 bridge across the southern end of the railyards. In mapping the route afterward I was astonished (there’s a word you don’t often see) to note it was nearly a mile from one end to the other. Cripes! That’s one long bridge. 

Yeah, no ice today.

 Once on the eastern edge of the bridge I decided against heading to Seminary Street and backtracked a bit (finishing that mile distance) along Old Thirlwell Road to Saluda Road, which parallels the yards and leads to the BNSF Classification Yard Headquarters. Less traffic than Seminary Street. A little more shaded, though the sun was still to the east and the trees there are on the western edge of the road. But it was more new territory.

Look, new and different isn’t always better. But it is new and different, and it’s worth exploring places you haven’t been, eh? What’s the old saying? “Familiarity breeds contempt.” I’m not exactly contemptuous of my regular routes, which must by necessity change now anyway, but I tire of routine.

Anyway, let me tell you that long-ass bridge is one hot piece of concrete. Last time I crossed it I was wearing my hydration belt, mostly as a course of training for the half marathon and getting used to carrying a waist pack. I used it, even though it wasn’t terribly hot. And I realized during the half marathon that I didn’t really need the water bottle on my waist because there were plenty of water stops along the route. So it should be reserved for long training runs where water isn’t available.

Not so. Even shorter runs – like today’s 4.5 miles – deserve some hydration along the path – when it’s a blazin’ 81-85 degrees and equal humidity (no, I did not check the actual humidity). At least that’s what I realized today. Thus my awareness.

Note: I was not in danger of another E.R. visit. But the weather has turned unruly and I note that I must heed the forecast more carefully. So let me conclude that awareness is best observed beforehand. Epiphany can be amazing, but it could quite possibly come too late to be of use.  

Looking north from the County 10 bridge.

Today's Stats

Temp: 81-85 degrees F

Distance: 4.6 miles

Weekly Total: 4.6 miles

Treasure: 1 penny; 27 cans.

iPod Playlist (Shuffle):

Kuschty Rye(Alternate Version) – Ronnie Lane

Hold My Hand – Hootie & the Blowfish

Red Dress (live) – James McMurtry

The Entertainer – Billy Joel

The Wanton Song – Led Zeppelin

Leave It – Yes

It Can Happen – Yes

Bad Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce

Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell

Stay The Night – Chicago

The Lazarus Heart – Sting

One Of These Things First – Nick Drake

I’ll Be Back – The Beatles

Bullet The Blue Sky – U2

Eclipse – Pink Floyd

All She Wants Is – Duran Duran