This weekend’s long run took me out to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park in north Austin. I like running at Walnut Creek, despite all the bikes, the water crossings and the dust.
This week, I’m guessing because of the start of school, there were hardly any cars out in the parking lot. There were also only a few bikers out there too. The lack of bikers and partiers was probably due to the heat just as much as school starting, but I speculate.
It was also bone dry and really dusty.
From the parking lot, I headed out towards the ball fields to use the restroom.
Havins Ballfields - Am I the only one that chuckles at the name?
From there, I went back on the trail, past the city lot and headed to the first water crossing. I was not surprised that there was no water, but I did think that I’d see some water, specially at this water crossing.
No water in Walnut Creek water crossing
I made it out to Metric Boulevard in decent time, but then I made the mistake of eating my snack bar instead of waiting until the end of my run. I really need to get back into the rhythm of my long runs and not just eat and drink whenever I want to. That’s what these runs are for right?
It was really, really dusty (have I mentioned that?). Because of all the dust, I drank more water than I had planned on. Specially as I made my way up to Power Line Hill.
Power Line Hill
The clouds looked freaking awesome the whole time I was out there. Not that I was looking at them all the time, I just kept looking up to see the planes flying overhead. By the time I got home, I had a nice caked on layer of dust on my legs where my sweat and the dust met.
I think I saw less than 10 people out there, instead of the normal 30-40 people, plus dogs. Maybe, it’s because no one else is as sadistic (or is it masochistic?) as I am and willing to run in the 100+ degree heat.
Route 082111
Stats:
Distance: 4.1 miles
Calories: 1655
Temp: 104 degrees
