Humidity = Humility
I am not surprised that these words are so similar. Just look at them! One letter separates the two. When it comes to running, the humidity is the one thing I am humbled by the most. Each spring, I innocently believe that I can keep my winter paces...that I can breathe that cold air and let my feet fly. I foolishly think if I only work hard, smart, or maybe even differently, the humidity won't affect me this time. And each year, it teaches me a lesson.
Alas, I continue to be humbled by something completely out of my control. Even more humbling is the fact not everyone seems as affected as I do. The lucky runners are able to adapt to the humidity. Some ladies I typically compete with will leave me in the dust during a summer race. Why me?
I eventually come to terms with the humidity every year. I have to. I remember that the only thing I can do is put forth the incredibly hard effort and be confident it will pay off later. I make myself focus only on positives: Yes, that winter race will be a piece of cake after this! What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!
Most importantly, I KEEP RUNNING. I put one incredibly humbled, sweat-soaked foot in front of the other -- over and over and over again.
I'm linking up with Deb @ Deb Runs for the Wednesday Word.
Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers. It's fun!
I wish I was one of those runners that thrive in the heat. I pray that the weather gods bless this year's Chicago marathon with the same beautiful weather I ran in last year!
ReplyDeleteWe should say a little prayer every night! Pinky swear! LOL.
DeleteI'm trying to convince myself that being injured in the summer is a good thing, since it's saving me from those humid runs, but really, I'd rather be sweating.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you lived around here you wouldn't be missing out on any races. But, I totally get it. Any injury at any time just plain sucks.
DeleteI am EXACTLY the same way - each year thinking I am mentally tough enough to push through humidity & I never seem to be able to. Thank goodness my race last week was so nice & cool!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I think it will be different every year. It's so hard to imagine you had a cool race last week!
DeleteOh yes, trying to run in the humidity is definitely humbling. It literally sucks the energy right out of me. And even more humbling - watching those that seem unaffected or mildly affected by air so thick you could cut it with a knife.
ReplyDeleteI get green-eyed with jealousy over those who don't seem affected. What is their secret?
DeleteWhat I love is the great kinship you can have with the other runners (like me!) who are just FLATTENED by the humidity. And hopefully, the wings on your feet that you will have in the fall!
ReplyDeleteFlattened describes it perfectly! I love to commiserate over it with others!!
DeleteYep, this Summer has been really tough. I don't remember last year being this bad to run in but I think maybe we had a milder Summer last year.
ReplyDeleteI get absolutely shocked by it every year. You'd think I'd learn by now because it's always like this in Dixie.
DeleteNice take on humble. The humidity is humbling me this summer as well. During my 5:30 AM boot camp I was covered with sweat droplets that had nowhere to go because the humidity was about 99%! I also find our hill repeats, and the 70-year-old lady that went flying past me (telling me to keep it up, and that I could do it) in the mud at Ragnar humbling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
I had to chuckle at the 70 year old lady passing you at Ragnar. Yes, hill repeats are very humbling. I'm not doing those right now, but I have to loop around my house to get water or Gatorade, etc. and that's where the worst hill is!
DeleteWe would be the best run buddies! It's like the air just whops you upside the head in the morning. Smack! Don't worry, it will come back. I feel a little better now than I did about a month ago. Surely I'm not adapting, but maybe slowed down enough to come to terms with it.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of the similarity of those words, but this is all so true. There are definitely runners who thrive in hit, humid weather, but I'm also not one of them. You're right, though, that training through the summer will make winter races feel much easier.
ReplyDeleteI know I'll be giddy with excitement on that first cool crisp morning. I may have myself a good old happy cry!
DeleteThe humidity doesn't usually bother me but last year when I ran VA beach it was really bad and I was struggling!
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the lucky ones! The coastal halves can really be brutal. Done that a few times!
DeleteI thought I was quite invincible until a quad injury knocked me down two years ago. It took over a year to get back to feeling mostly normal. That was so humbling!
ReplyDeleteHeat and humidity kick my butt too.
Oh, yes. Injuries can be humbling too! I struggled for a LONG time with Achilles issues.
DeleteI find the humidity so oppressive, but still try to keep up with activities including running. This summer has been difficult with my calf injury, but hopefully I am back on the right track. Always remember that summer running leads to fall PR's......it is tough though sometimes getting the mileage in knowing you are sluggish.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a fall PR keeps me going! I hope your calf is better soon.
DeleteI feel like I can't breath in the humidity... why I stick to the treadmill in the heat.
ReplyDeleteWe gave our treadmill away! It always bothered my Achilles so I did not use it. I get to run in the humidity on EVERY run. Yippee.
DeleteI have a hard time in the humidity as well. Yesterday I was dripping and soaked. Least we get out there, you are so right, that's the important thing. We keep on running! And it will make us stronger for our fall races!
ReplyDeleteI hang my running clothes up so they don't MOLD (they are that wet) and then they make a puddle on the floor. No kidding.
DeleteI share your humidity affliction. It SUCKS!
ReplyDeleteYes it does. And I whine about it every summer and yet it doesn't change anything. Go figure.
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