I want to talk about the freaking heat. Kelly and I had a 16 mile run planned for Thursday. We started at 4:45am and met at our normal parking lot. FIRST - when I pulled up there where cars in the lot, which is not normal for that time of the morning. And the closer I looked - I realized that it was people:
#1 still drinking from the night before
#2 dressed up like super heroes
#3 I knew a few of them
Anyone remember those days? I kind of do :) Anyway - it was dark when Kelly and I started off for about the first 45 minutes. And I don't know about you, but when it's dark, we run faster. Kind of like we are trying not to get caught. That was our first mistake - we took off way to fast. There is no need for us to run the first 5 miles of a freaking 16 mile run at an 8:30 pace. For us, if we can't chat on a long run, we're going to fast. And then the sun came up......and our attitudes just got worse and worse. Kelly is an AMAZING fast distance runner but hates the heat. I mean hates it more then I hate taking shots. So with our negative attitudes - our 16 mile run turned into 11. And the worst part? We where walking back to our cars...some older guys riding bikes on the bike path say "Good morning walkers - we're coming up on your left". Walkers? WALKERS? Ugh.
Kelly - No pictures
Yeah. I'm not feeling it.
So what is my new mantra?
"I love the heat. It makes me faster"
For those of you training in the heat - how do you deal with it?
When we run, specially long runs, we either plant water or hit all of the fountains...where hydration is not the problem. The problem is our crap ass attitude when it's hot. I need to get over this wall really fast.
* I would like to note that I think this is the first negative post I've done..well, kind of negative...but I was just waiting for it to happen!!*
In other news - I'm going to be having my first give away soon!! I'm so excited!!
16 comments:
Not sure what the answer is to dealing with the heat. I just do it b/c I know if I wimp out, it will eat at me the rest of the day. Just not worth the misery. I rather deal with the heat/humidity kind of short term misery than to deal with my negative attitude long term for at least the rest of the day. There's no getting around it. You either do it early or forget it.
16 miles in this stuff? Your nuts. (in a nice way). No need to do that, you know...
You just have to accept that training in the heat you are going to be slower. Maybe stash some ice somewhere and run by it 1/2 way, toss some in your bra and should cool you down for 20-30 minutes.... it makes a huge difference for me. My hear rate falls 10-15 BPM when I do that.
Another thing is to wear a long sleeve white shirt (dryfit fabric type). it will keep you cooler and if it holds any moisture it will feel cooler against your skin. Desoto Sports makes one, I haven't tried it, but I'm considering buying one to see how it works.
yeah, a lot of us peeps up here have been super struggling with the heat this summer. we keep hearing: just plow through, completing workouts to the best of your ability now will make you faster in the fall. but UGH is it so hard to slog through just now. soaking & freezing my sports bra helps for short runs. :)
ahhh that walker comment just made me cringe....g/l in the heat....it's pretty bad here in jersey too
The heat is a serious killer this summer! I pretty much just grin and bear it. There's no way around it and it's even humid when I get my workouts in at 6am so I just deal and tell myself that I'll miss it when winter comes and I'm cursing the 20 degree cold weather! Saying that just got me excited to be training in the hot hot heat this week :o)
if I'm doing the group run here in Houston, we pull out at 5.30AM. I'll take electrolyte tablets with me and maybe a gel. But I definitely make sure i keep my water intake fairly high. When I'm feeling saddistic, I'll go mid morning on just water and electrolytes - and it's pretty ugly by the end.
Crap Walkers!! Well well i just happen to be of those and speedy i am:) Just ask around and people will say "Wow was that Sue on her power walk again?" If you want to come to Kona and stay with us it is hotter than hot:) xxoo
When I did IMFL in 2006, it was 32 deg F at the start. We all huddled into the hotel to put on our wetsuits and waited for 5 minutes before the gun to go tho the beach. The sand was so cold it was almost like snow.
If that happens this year, you will be wishing for heat!
Good luck in the heat...it is rough. I've been dealing with the same thing, lots of gatorade is helping me!
Let me know what you come up with...my attitude is the WORST while running in heat & humidity. I'd rather run in a downpour.
Out here in vegas the only way to beat it is to get out early. stay hydrated before during and after. We try not to have heavy training for a race this time of year unless your race will be hot. I look at it like if I train in this and race somewhere not this extreme I am better prepared. It is no fun, I can tell you that. Keep plowing through it.
Yuck, you look miserable, its hard to train in the heat, I "try" to pick routes that have shade.
as few clothes as possible. carry a water bottle. give yourself permission to slow down. and i always try to think about how the sweat is actually cooling me down *even when it's adding 2 pounds to each shoe!
C'mon - you live in FL...you should be used to the heat! :-)
In all seriousness, the heat is brutal this year. I can't remember a summer with as many > 100 degree heat index days. Agreed on the ice comments, hydrating like a fish, keeping up electrolytes. I really like First Endurances Liquid Shots, but also use Endurolytes. Ice baths at the end are a plus as well - bring down core temps pretty quickly.
Keep up the training.
I have no idea how you Florida athletes do it, seriously. But I do enjoy reading about it :-) You are a tough chick!
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