Long Slow Hot Distance

This morning I got up early to try to beat the worst part of the heat.  I went to Sherman Beach and headed up the trail.  I had my watch set for 4/1 run/walk.  My plan was to set to 3/2 if I got too hot. Somehow I reset my watch twice during my run so the Garmin has it in three parts.  I ran over to Rockwood Reservation.  I kept it slow.  My lower leg was still bothering me.  After about 5 miles it loosened up and and started to feel better.

The baby llama was right next to the fence.  It seemed to want attention.  It is very cute but I just ran by.  The next part of the run felt pretty good.  It was getting hot but I was doing fine.  At mile 11, I realized that my hydration pack was getting very light.  I was low on water.  At this point I thought about walking back.  I ran a hot 5K last weekend and only had water once at the water stop.  I saw several people out today running without water.  I decided to switch to a 2/1 and take it easy.  The last 3 miles were fine.  I did not get too hot or thirsty.  I got back to my car and wished my slug sister was there with her cooler of ice cold Gatorade.  I drove home and had a Gatorade.

My run totalled 14 miles.  It was 89 degrees when I got back to my car.  I don't think there was a dry spot on me.

I saw a large turtle on the trail.  Jim and I had a discussion about the difference between turtles and tortoises.  They are both reptiles.  Tortoises live mostly on land.  Turtles live on land and water but spend more time in water.  Then there are terrapins.  Terrapins are water turtles that live in marshes in the eastern US.  Turtle is a reptile with a hard shell.  Tortoises and terrapins are types of turtles.  Turtles has some webbing between their toes to help them in the water.  Box turtles spend a lot of time on land but they have a small amount of webbing between their toes so they are considered turtle but not tortoises.

Next I saw a toad.  Or was it a frog?  Time for another biology lesson.   Frogs have webbed feet and spend most of their time in the water.  Toad's feet are not webbed and spend a lot of time on land.  A frog is slender with longer limbs and can jump higher that a toad.  A toad is short, stubby and has smaller legs.  A frog has smooth rubbery skin where a toad has bumpy skin.  Toads are more likely to crawl.  Frogs are more likely to hop.  I definitely saw a toad.

Jim went for a bike ride while I was running.