run: 3.5 miles
2 trails
78 degrees
humidity: 79% / dew point: 68
Hot and humid this morning. Not too bad in the shade. Heard some birds, noticed the river. Can’t really remember what I thought about as I ran. The paved trail near the road was crowded with walkers, runners, and bikers. On the trail below, I was one of only a few humans. It was a good run.
Entanglements
- the gnat swimming in the liquid in my eye
- the darting chipmunk who crossed my path and made me stutter-step down in the savanna
- the coxswain’s voice floating up from the river
- the runner and 2 bikers side-by-side, approaching me on my left and right at the same time, too fast and too close
- the calling cardinal
- encroaching vines brushing my face, my shoulders, my ankles
- the dog and their human walking near a big boulder, another pair on the gravel just past the ravine
- the jingling collar of another dog, far below me, much closer to the water
- the branch of a tree, waving from the weight of a critter–a squirrel? bird?
- yellowed leaves littering the dirt trail
- the stones studding the trail, a few making me slow to a walk so I didn’t trip over them
swim: 2 miles/ 2 loops
lake nokomis open swim
91 degrees
Very warm at the lake tonight. The air was warm, the water too. When I started swimming, I went through a few cold spots. Nice. Mostly breathed every 5. The water was much smoother, less choppy. Still had trouble seeing the buoys, but no trouble staying on course. Another great swim. I love how much time I’m spending in the lake this summer.
water thoughts
1
I have seen this commercial several times in the last few days, while watching the Olympics, especially the swimming events:
Are our hearts really made up of 73% water? Checked it, and yes, according to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158:
the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.
The Water in You
2
A science poem for 3rd graders:
Sound Waves/ Amy Ludwig VanDerwate
If you have ever seen the ocean
throwing cold waves from her hand
pulling shells from mighty depths
tossing each upon wet sand,
you can understand how sound waves
move like water through dry air.
One-by-one, vibrations follow
pressing sounds from here-to-there.
Sounds can pass through liquids.
Through gases. Solids too.
But sounds waves moving through the air
are sound waves meant for you.
Violin or thunderstorm —
each will reach your waiting ear
to play upon a tiny drum.
This is how you hear.
3
…underwater sound waves pass directly into your head, bypassing your ears altogether. That’s because body tissues contain such a large amount of water. Try plugging your ears underwater and listening for another splash of someone jumping in. It will be just as loud as the last splash when your ears were not plugged.
How Sound Waves Work Underwater