8/8/2026 — 10 Easy Effort Miles
I woke up a little earlier than I would have liked even by my low standards, but figured I might as well get a move on things considering I needed to put about 1.5 hours on my feet.
I didn't rush out the door though because I felt hungry and knew I needed to put something in the tank before I left. I munched half a bagel with almond butter and strawberry jam. Plus some water to wash it down and get hydrated.
I took more water and some electrolyte tabs for the road and headed out the door. To pass the time on some of my recent runs, I've elected for an audio book — Riddle in the Sand. It's from 1903 or something like that and considered an early model for spy novels. It has sailing in it and the reader is engaging, so even when the plot is a challenge it's entertaining and worth the time.
Sometimes I feel like I should listen to some educational literature when I'm out on my runs (and sometimes I do) in order to maximise my productivity. I think this sensation is a product of overemphasis on efficiency and really my need a result of inattention or the inability to stay focused on doing one thing at a time. I can't just be running; I need to be filling my brain at the same time.
My route brought me past the house where the dog came out last week. This time the gate was closed thankfully. Oddly a man sitting at the house sat in the back yard. I also passed a guy on a bike all lit up with lights on his wheels and handlebars. He seemed as surprised to see me running as I was to see him biking, but our lights created a brief but meaningful moment of connection.
Tomorrow I'll have another 10 miles, but at a more moderate pace. The back-to-back easy-moderate 10 milers feels like one of the more complicated parts of the training plan, but is a good way to work on thinking about effort and not just pace.
It's all a little crazy.
