Summertime running

It's summer in Atlanta, but with all the rain we've had this year, one might think this is Seattle.
The weather forecasters noted this week that we've had as much rain in Atlanta to date as we normally have all year.
But I've been very lucky with the 5K races I've done this month. No rain during any of them!
On Aug. 11, I did the Jog Days of Summer, which ran around Chastain Park in Atlanta. That morning was warm and humid, not that it was a problem, but the race started and finished between the horse park and the swimming pool at the park. When I wasn't getting a whiff of horse manure, I could smell chlorine. Yikes.
It was my first time running this race, but I've actually run a similar course. Challenging, but not awful.
This was another Atlanta Track Club sponsored race, which means it was free to track club members. I really enjoy these low-key, no T-shirt races. I've got plenty of race shirts, so I really don't need more!
This morning I ran the Magnolia Run around Perimeter Mall. I've run this race before. It used to be a 4-mile race in June, but a couple of years ago that changed. It's now in August and a 5K.
The race benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia and it was great to see so many folks out running and walking to support friends and family members.
My low back has been bothering me, so I didn't have as much fun on this race as I might. It was fairly cool this morning, so the temp was nice, but my poor back! Ice and ibuprofen are now my friends.
The good part of today's race was I found four pennies. I was only able to collect two of them, but that's OK. The found money pig got fed today!

Running in formation

After a two-week hiatus, I'm running again.
I usually take a couple of weeks off in July, shortly after the Peachtree Road Race 10K. Sometimes it's a voluntary hiatus. Sometimes, it's not. A couple of years ago, my knee hurt so badly after the Peachtree, I took a long time off.
Right after the Peachtree, I went to visit my brother and his family in North Carolina. They had just moved there from Minnesota. It was great to visit with them and my two youngest nephews.

Me and my nephews

When I got back, I ran the DeKalb-Decatur 4 Miler with my friend Angela. I've run this one several times. It's a good little race, with not too many hills.

Angela and me

Then I took that time off. Really, I haven't been running as much this year. It has been so rainy, that when I might have wanted to go out for a run, it's been storming. I don't mind rain, but I do mind thunder and lightning.
So my two-week break was a good one. I ended the break with a new race for me, Atlanta's Finest 5K.
The race benefits the Atlanta Police Foundation and runs in downtown Atlanta.
I ran the first two miles in front of Atlanta police cadets running in formation. I was doing very well (for me) but at mile 2 there was a decent hill and I started to lose a little steam. I took a walk break and the cadets passed me.
When I finished, I walked around to see some of the police displays.

Robot from the bomb squad

Mounted police

The mounted police were there. I kidded that they had an unfair advantage (except they didn't run the race!)
It won't be long before I'll be training for the half marathon in Savannah in November. That's when I'll look back on my summer break with fondness.