Dog Days

I took a lot of time off running the last two weeks, due to the soaring temperatures and my resulting sluggishness. I've completed a total of just four runs since July 16 -- the last one was yesterday, when I explored the lovely yet much too short Spring Run Trail as dusk crept over the northeast side of Saratoga.

Hot running Saratoga

As much as I love running, one of the best parts of doing it is being done with it. That feeling of accomplishment when you walk in the door all out of breath after a good run and head for the cold glass of water, the towel, the floor ... whatever.

This is especially true on days like today, when it hit at least 90 degrees in the middle of the day in Albany, and cooled down to a deceptive 84-ish by the time I exited the Northway in Saratoga after work.

Change of plans

So much for taking advantage of an early start to the weekend and sneaking in a late-afternoon run.

The weather goddesses were not on my side as I pulled in the driveway today around 4 pm -- with sun shining overhead -- and dashed into the house to get hydrated and changed for what I thought would be a nice easy meander through Spa State Park. During the 10 minutes I'm in the house (we're talking Mareesa Time here, so make that 20 minutes) the sky turns overcast, thunder starts to rumble, the wind is whipping leaves around on my street and it looks like a storm is going to break any moment.

Friends, family, food, finishing strong ...

... The fireworks have just finished popping away in Congress Park and my crew has long gone in their various directions home. I considered walking downtown to watch them on my own, but then I realized I am too wasted from the activity and heat of the last three days to move my butt any farther than absolutely necessary -- like from the couch to the kitchen to get a fresh ice pack or glass of water.

Anyway, whoever says you need fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July (or a parade or barbecue, or spandex flag shorts, for that matter) is wrong. My weekend was absent all those things but it was as fabulous as you can get.