Another Big Month...
I continued my increased daily run length again in the month of June. I ended the month with 292.52 miles. This was done by continually increasing my daily and weekly totals up until the third week and then I backed off and rested (a little!)
I started off the month with a week of running 10 milers every day, followed by a week of 11's and then a week of 13's. This gave me an 80 mile week in the middle of the month (biggest of the year) so then I took it "easy" with two 59 mile weeks.
I am enjoying the warm and mostly dry morning runs, typically between 4 and 6 am with the headlamp. With the summer solstice now in the rear view mirror I will begin getting less daylight, but for now I am enjoying at least the last view miles in the daylight after sunup each morning.
I will be enjoying some extended vacation in the month of July so the totals will probably not be as high. The good thing is I am almost caught up to my 2000 mile/yr pace and this should be fairly easy to maintain for the rest of the year. After several 50-80 mile weeks in a row, it now seems easy to get in the required 38 miles per week to maintain the 2000 goal pace.
The Lutes family will be hosting our nephews from the East coast in July and then jumping in the van for a 2 week trip out West including the Grand Canyon and the train ride from Durango to Silverton CO.
For the summer, I've started re-reading the book that started it all for me "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougal. I read this back in 2011 and it started my journey into barefooting (via Vibram Five Fingers and a stress fracture) and I never put on shoes again (at least not running shoes). If you haven't read this book I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Even if you aren't a barefooter or even a runner, this book is a good read. It tells the story of the Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyon in Mexico and the search for the ever elusive Caballo Blanco. If you read it you just "might" understand a little of the barefoot "sickness" although it might still leave you shaking your head. Either way, enjoy.
However you choose to spend your summer, get out there and enjoy this awesome weather and the beauty of the earth we've been blessed with.
Oh, and stay hydrated out there in the 90+ degree heat!
God Bless,
Barefoot Dan
June Mileage = 292.52 miles
