Lumpy already mentioned the oppressive heat. Well, Toots, we don’t “enjoy” this like you do every day, so we suffer when it happens. I started out to do my 8-9 miler and halved it PLUS. I ended up running about 4 and a quarter. I am okay with that seeing as how I had a vice around my lungs. I tried to think about how to describe running with asthma + heat + heavy, heavy humidity + prairie grasses feels. The closest I came was that it feels as if somehow you have magically gotten a wool or fleece cloth lining your lungs. It’s not terribly comfortable, but it’s not the worst thing you’ve ever felt, either. If there was an invisible band around your lungs, that might feel worse.
Anyhowsies, I walked, I ran, I looked at birds. I shuffled. I turned purplish-pink. You know; it’s what I do.
Oh, but my, I loved, loved, loved our trip to De Smet. I got to see that EXACT spot where Laura lived. I saw everything I could see that was relevant to that time in her life. Amazing and cool, for this Laura Ingalls Wilder fan. I bought two new books about her life. (In depth and a little more revealing. Not for the person who has only seen the t.v. show.) Didn’t run…too hot (95°F, and no room in the bag), but satisfied one more childhood dream. Larry, if you come up, we’ll gladly do a road trip of Walnut Grove and De Smet. They’re totally worth it and fun.
Lessons learned??? I am very, very glad to be alive NOW and not in Laura’s time. I’m glad I took time off from running. I’m glad I walked today…my lungs are still sore. Americans have really, really messed up what used to be the Great Prairie. Americans have also really, really messed up native American lands…(We went to Pipestone National Monument; it was very cool.)
