Back in the CLT (for a bit anyway)

If 2017 could be said to be about one thing and one thing only, I would say that it's been about not blogging. But I feel compelled to write one now that we have been back in Charlotte for a little over a week (albeit temporarily). Here are some things that have stood out to me since returning:

1) So. Many. People.
2) Everyone must basically be rich now as the real estate market is ridiculous
3) The real estate market is ridiculous
4) The city can't handle the load
5) Heat vs. humidity

Let's settle this once and for all. An argument with myself to end all arguments with anyone else.

Pros of "dry" heat (Southern AZ)

• sweat evaporates
• I can wear clothes and not be any hotter than without clothes
• misters work

Cons of "dry" heat

• Can't / Shouldn't work out in the outdoors past about 11am. If you must, be extremely hydrated and have sunscreen on you in liberal amounts/coatings
• It's really f***ing hot
• See above

Pros of "humid" heat (Southeast)

• It's not really that "hot" (as compared to aforementioned ''dry'' heat)
• You can workout all day, but it will probably suck
• Great excuse to go shirtless all the time

Cons of "humid" heat

• You are wet, all the time. Like, soaked. Shorts become ... something other than shorts. Kinda spandex-y but without the sexiness.
• It's difficult to breathe outdoors because you don't have gills
• Not possible to see out of your windows in the morning because they have so much condensation from the AC vs. humidity battle. Never know what's out there.

In other news, I have been exercising regularly. "Training" is not really the word I'd use to be perfectly honest, but I am [relatively] fit and am enjoying myself. World Champs will not be an epic throwdown of raw speed, but I am sure I'll handle myself decently. I'm actually at a streak of a hair over 10 weeks straight of running every day. During that time I've averaged roughly 40mi/week, which isn't too bad. I played soccer for the first time in about a decade last Wednesday, which came really close to putting the streak (my stated minimum is 20 minutes a day to count) at an end the next day! Funny how specific your "fitness" becomes after years of doing the same thing! 

I may be able to run circles around most of the players but when it comes to lateral movements and bursts of speed (and kicking, which is a fairly violent motion for your quad, hammies, and hip flexors, and adductors, and glutes, and...and and) I am certainly NOT fit.

I may very well get beaten by Christine come race day, but if that happens I will merely mark it as the beginning of a new streak where she beats me regularly (in racing).