Today, my only chance to run was at noon when Shoo’s babysitter came over. I had wanted to do 10 miles today, but it was 85 degrees, really humid, and sunny. For once, I ran smart and ran slow and easy, averaging 10 minute miles, but it was just so incredibly hot out that I only managed 6 miles. Conveniently, I finished the 6 miles near a 7-11, so I picked up a 32 ounce Gatorade (I’d finished both my water bottles, although much of that went on my head). I drank the entire 32 ounces in the time it took me to walk the half mile to my house! And to think I paid a ridiculous amount per hour to the babysitter to have the privilege of running in that heat. Sigh.
I’m going to try and do a 10 miler on the treadmill on Thursday night after the kids go to bed. I’m picking up “27 Dresses” from the library, so hopefully that will entertain me enough. The weather here is just too iffy right now – either hot and humid or thunder and lightning, neither of which is fun for 10 miles, although I’d prefer wet at this point.
For this week’s Alcohol Tuesday, I had lots to choose from (what can I say, Beer Geek is out of town and I’m attempting to maintain my sanity.) I’ve decided to review a beer that I was very excited to find in the store, Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown.
This beer has won many awards over the years, including a number of Bronze medals at the Great American Beer Festival. I’m a huge fan of nut brown beers and the addition of maple nearly made me swoon when thinking about drinking this beer. (I LOVE maple syrup and maple candy and well, anything maple, yum!)
So, I was quite excited when I opened this beer and caught a whiff of it’s slightly maple scent. I took a nice swig and it was … eh. It was sweet, but not much maple flavor was apparent. I also found it a bit thin. Since I drank it straight from the bottle (what can I say? I have enough dirty dishes in my life), I can’t speak about its color or its head. I found the darker, nuttier malt taste good, but it had a bit of an aftertaste that I didn’t like.
However, and this is a big however, I was forced to temporarily abandon my beer while I put Shoo to bed. Half a beer sat forlornly on the computer desk and awaited my return, slowly coming up to about 60 degrees. I’m not one to leave a beer undrunk, so I continued drinking once the kid was in bed. Surprisingly, it was a much better beer at closer to room temperature. The maple came out, the mouth feel got a bit heavier (more like what I’d expect from a porter) and the aftertaste went away.
So, if you like a nice dark beer, especially if you like a bit of sweetness, this is a pretty decent beer IF you let it warm up a bit. I’ll certainly be finishing my six pack!
This heat and humidity is horrible. Good think you cut it short. Hopefully your next 10mi attempt will pan out.
Smart move cutting the pace and distance today. Hot and humid at noon is no fun! But good for you getting out there and getting something done! Hope the next one goes well and enjoy 27 dresses. I found it to be cute.
At least you were smart about keeping it slow and cutting the mileage in that heat!
It is interesting how the flavor changes as the beer warms.Saranac used to have a maple porter, which did a reasonable job of balancing the maple. Alas, I'm not a huge maple fan, so I probably didn't appreciate it as much as some people.Nice job on the run.. it's amazing how the humidity can just suck the energy out of you.
I hear ya on the hot and humid mess! Ugh. It totally slows me down. Way to get out there! And 10 miles on the treadmill?? How do you do that and not die from boredom?
It was smart to only run six in that heat in the middle of the day! I hear you on the babysitters – I pay a crazy amount to have one sit in my house while my kid sleeps so I can run. Oh well. 🙂
I attempted 10 miles on a hot and sunny afternoon last Friday and only managed 6. I'll take cold and wet anyday!
The American Mania for serving beer freezing COLD rears its ugly head again.Some beers are just better at room temp, is all – as you just showed.Not every beer is a lager.O-ho-ho! Had it all to ourselves, did we? Stepping out on Beer Geek there a little, sister! Did you save him one? At room temperature?
A noon run sounds tough! Doing 6 sounds challenging enough. And I'm with you about maple. Maybe that beer will be the next one I search out "for my husband to try."
27 Dresses is pretty cute. Predictable, but cute. Good run in the heat. Think of all the money people pay to sit in a steam room and get the same effect. :o)
Hi Mama! Kudos to you for keeping up the running with Beer Geek out of town! And you are cah-razy for running in that wicked heat! I've been barely making it through my runs at 8 am! Gotta get my butt out of bed at 6am one of these days. Oh! RE: running w/ the Capital Area Runners. Yes! I have started to run with them and they are really nice! I like the coach, too!
Wow. I use a LOT! OF! EXCLAMATION! POINTS!
UGH. I am SUCH a slow runner in the heat and humidity. My body is just really wimpy when temperatures creep above 80 degrees. OK, 70. Fine, 65. I just like it better when it's cold!