 |
| Wendy and I host this linkup for the sole purpose of supporting active women. We thank you for linking your FITNESS RELATED POST with us! |
**********************************************
The heat is on...still. Since our temps started ramping up back in March {or one could even argue February - talking about you Mercedes Half Marathon!} I've already been through several stages of heat+humidity suffering. The denial is gone. The whining. The avoidance. ["I'm just not going to run then, so there!".] I'm finally at the acceptance stage. My paces are much slower. Life goes on...really, nobody cares other than me. Why sweat it?
I ran four days this week for a total of 23.9 miles. You may remember, I used a less is more approach for my latest marathon training cycle. It did keep me injury free -- hallelujah -- but it was nice to be back to a fourth day of running. It really wasn't by design. I'm not officially training for anything. Yes, I am running Rock N' Roll Chicago, but I'm just running when I feel like it and doing whatever I feel like doing. See paragraph one about life sucking heat+humidity.
 |
| First mile 10:07 -- Fifth mile 9:19 |
It was nice to get a little progression going on two runs. I automatically gravitate toward this type of run anyway. I start my runs early in the morning without my beloved coffee. This produces my still sleeping pace. Then, I pick it up some once I'm fully awake. .
 |
| First mile 10:28 -- Fourth mile 8:38 |
I didn't run Saturday opting to catch up some long awaited and much needed yard work. When I awoke around 5:15 Sunday to run, I checked my weather app which reported a feels-like temperature of 86. I decided if I was going to suffer in that anyway, I'd go back to bed for a little while. I finally hit the pavement a little after 7:00 when it felt like 89. I had no expectations for this run and walked some, especially in the last few miles. And of course... this happened. No, an Olympic diver I will never be.
 |
| And that's a wrap! |
What stage of summer running are you in?
Are you a good diver?
I always use a less is more approach to training. And I totally agree. It keeps you injury free. You may not PR but it's worth it to stay healthy and not burn out.
ReplyDeleteWe had one hot day and I only managed 2.5 miles. I guess I couldn't live in Ala.
I have a 15k next Sat with 90 degrees predicted. Wish me luck.
I'm definitely not a solid runner when it's hot. I have to take a lot of breaks as opposed to winter when I feel like I can go forever without stopping. It's very humbling!
Delete86°F at 5am?!??? That is just sick! Going back for a couple hours of sleep before braving more heat was smart. Your dive looks better than I can do. I’m no swimmer but the warmer weather has me happy to wade in the water :)
ReplyDeleteDoesn't that sound crazy? But, that is typical for us in the peak of the summer heat. Sometimes, I feel like I'm running in the tropics. So steamy!
DeleteHey, I did not mean to link up twice. Can you please delete one of them? Crazy things always seem to happen when I link up with my phone.
ReplyDeleteNo problem!
DeleteI'm trying to get to the point where I understand that my pace will be slower but that's always hard for me to come to terms with.
ReplyDeleteI think we all eventually just give up. LOL.
DeleteAh, that pool looks so refreshing! My neighborhood loop is usually a progressive run too - that first wake up/warm up mile, then a flat mile, then a downhill mile, then I have to crank it up to get back up the hill for the last mile home.
ReplyDeleteHa! On my typical route, my last full mile is downhill too. That helps! But, then I've got to get back to my house which is very uphill. So, that's my cool down walk.
DeleteChicago?!?!?!?!?! ;-) You just made my weekend ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt'll be fun to see you, Dear Holly
Chicago will be a fun race
Lots to see and do
and not a worry about our pace(s) ;-)
Chi and I have issues. Remember, I fell down?
DeleteBecause of that debacle, I didn't see much town.
This time I do hope, to pack in all the sights.
The bean, the tower, the pizza... I need to do it right!
I can't wait to finally meet you. Vegas was a bust.
We'll all just run for fun but pass the struggle bus.
I love your post-run pool pictures! I bet those dives feel good after running in that heat and humidity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the linkup!
Yes, the pool is so refreshing. I actually repeated that dive two more times because the first one felt so good.
DeleteI'm still in whining stage. LOL. I'm hoping to reach acceptance soon. I think I might have turned a corner in that direction this morning. Which is good because man do I need the boost! Normally, I love training in the summer BECAUSE of the warmth (me and cold weather don't really get along) but this year is so different. Good grief. I'm considering crying uncle. haha
ReplyDeleteCan't remember the last time I did a dive. I used to be okay at it but now I'd probably freak out and be a hot mess. lol
I could wallow in the whining stage! LOL. But, I've been doing that too long and it didn't seem to help anyway.
DeleteI admire you for running in a southern summer. I don't think I could. We whine about our weather, but it's nothing like it is down there (except for a few days here & there).
ReplyDeleteI rarely dive anymore. I'm not sure if I'm a good diver, really, but I can dive, anyway. And you have no idea how much I envy that pool (and pretty much every outdoor pool I see).
I feel I couldn't run in the snow and ice. But, we do what we have to. And I know from experience, the treadmill aggravates an old Achilles injury. Outside it is!
DeleteGoodness, that's hot. It's going to be v warm here in the UK next week and I'm a bit nervous about planning to do 11 miles at 8.45 tomorrow (a customer's requirements mean I have to). I'm going off down the canals as it's cooler by the water with the shade, hopefully. I've popped some more photos in my blog post this week (my second running round-up!) so people can see what it's like running in the urban UK, as most of you chaps seem to be from the US.
ReplyDeleteHappy running this week everyone.
It's great you have that shade near the canals. I hit my park for the shade when my streets lose theirs. We've had a few UK runners post here over the years. It is always so interesting to see and hear about running on the "other side of the pond".
DeleteYes, the canals were lovely, and the linked run of parks we went through. Not so lovely: falling over in one of them, the furthest from a bus route, of course. Very grazed and bashed but not broken, but SOOO frustrating. But hope you enjoy the English terraces from my round-up post for last week!
DeleteHa I actually have a post in the works on the stages of summer running and how I almost gave it up all together this week. I am still in the anger phase! LOL
ReplyDeleteOh! I forgot that one. That was my most recent stage too!
DeleteI think you have done a great job running and training in the heat! I have not been running much but will have to pick it up for MCM training. I am only going to run 3 days a week for now since it is so hot and I’m still sticking with 80 Day Obsession. Oh how I wish I had a pool like you!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize (or have forgotten) you are running MCM. That's great. I haven't decided if I'm running a fall marathon. Maybe in November. I probably won't run 4 days every week this summer.
DeleteI think I have also come to acceptance with the heat. My paces are slower but thats ok. I just keep reminding myself how much I complained about the cold all winter!
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky we don't have really cold winters but then suffer through the summer.
DeleteI was never good at running in the heat. I love that you dive in without even taking off your socks, haha!
ReplyDeleteI make sure I take off my watch and my iPod Shuffle. All else is fair game for the water. Last week, I found my hat and sunglasses in the bottom of the pool later in the day (after my cannonball).
DeleteI bet that dive into the pool felt great. See you think like me--what is the difference between 86 and 89 degrees anyways?
ReplyDeleteExactly. It was going to be such a suffer fest anyway that I thought -- might as well get some more sleep!
DeleteOh that pool looks like a treat. I agree, if you're going to melt, might as well melt rested.
ReplyDeleteI read Run Less, Run Faster earlier this year and while it doesn't quite work for me as prescribed, I do run less than Higdon and the others suggest. I know with my pre running and last year injury history, four days doesn't generally work for me. I', in awe of the Streakers, but less is more for me. Keeps me from burn out too.
Love your tank. Stay safe in this weather.
I didn't use their plan as prescribed. I came up with my own training plan which basically was 3 runs of effort. My shortest run was 6 miles and my medium distance peaked at 11. I spent a lot of miles at race pace as well.
DeleteI'm so happy to hear that you're Chicago-bound! It will be so nice to finally meet you!
ReplyDeleteI'm not training for Chicago - my paces are abysmal in the heat, just looking forward to all the fun!
I can't to meet you too Michelle! We'll all just run for fun!
DeleteI'm at the first day of running since my break stage. The weather was nice this weekend, and it's going to get hotter. Thursday is showing 98. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the heat is really affecting everyone this year!
DeleteI'm still loving summer running but some days it has me slogging. Although I must admit I'm feeling blah about all running right now. Your dive looks great to me. I'm more of a cannonball type of gal! :)
ReplyDeleteI love a good splashy cannonball too!
DeleteIt is just so hard to run in the summer in the south. I understand your frustrations!! I can't stand the heat...so I just haven't been running. And I miss it immensely!!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard and miserable to run here. But, there is also something immensely satisfying about returning home from your run with your clothes completely soaked with literally pounds of sweat. LOL
DeleteI'm not whining anymore about the heat and humidity ...it is what it is. I'm just running less and slower. Thank goodness I have no races on the hot as hell horizon. Lol But, I do need a pool!
ReplyDeleteI do have a race on the hot as hell horizon. What was I thinking?
DeleteI am in the burning fires of hell stage, which includes a lot of extra walking.
ReplyDeleteHa! I know that stage well. Like you, it goes on for months!
DeleteThat's a fun tank top! I typically get nervous without a training plan and am constantly following some sort of structure. I hope the heat isn't oo brutal this week!
ReplyDeleteI do like structure too. But with this oppressive heat and humidity, I feel like I just set myself up for failure when trying to stick with a rigid plan with set paces and mileage.
DeleteI swear when it feels like 89 here I'm walking ALL. Not just some. And swearing. Swearing a lot. A hot RnRCHI will feel cool to you!
ReplyDeleteNo, a hot RnR Chi is going to feel hot. LOL. We are running it for fun. Repeat Often.
DeleteOh... the heat is on here too, and I think that is partially the reason my running mojo headed south. Great work this week! Diving was my favorite part of going to the swimming pool as a child - I tried going off those same boards a few years ago and it just wasn't the same :-)
ReplyDeleteThe short diving board feels really high when I step up there! Why is that? It's just a couple of feet from the water. If that.
DeleteLove the picture of you diving into the pool at the end of your run! I put off my long run until tomorrow. Now I have to get up early to try to avoid the heat and humidity. What was I thinking signing up for an August marathon?
ReplyDeleteLove that diving pic! A pool appears to be a must-have in the south! Not as common in Minnesota since you can only use it for about 4 months. Thanks for hosting the link-up!
ReplyDeleteI could have used a pool after my long run today...I was so sweaty, I might as well have already been in the pool! I am in a similar spot as you with respect to accepting the summer heat and slower paces.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a pool to dive in after hot runs. :) I can't even stand the heat over here, so I would be terrible in that heat and humidity over there. Must be nice to run whatever you feel like doing. Great job on your four runs!
ReplyDeleteour weather is just dumb. it doesn't know whether to be hot or cold. right now it's chilly with not too much humidity, by the end of the week, if predictions are right, it should be blazing again. I give up. I have to accept it as well.
ReplyDeleteI love the less is more approach to running and have started my marathon training already with max 3 runs a week. Though I like the run when I want and how I want approach too. BUT... since I am finally going to do a marathon again I'm going to stick to my plan as much as possible.
I'm not a great diver, no :) I hardly ever go to the pool but when I do I most certainly am not diving (too much anxiety for that!).
I'm in the acceptance stage. It's going to be hot, it's going to be slow, but I have to get it done anyway :-)
ReplyDeleteI always have intentions of getting up early to get my run out of the way, but then I decide to opt for more sleep and I am kicking myself later that I didn't get my butt up earlier. Darn summer heat!
ReplyDeleteJumping in the pool after a long, hot summer run is my favorite! I hope to do Rock n Roll Chicago some day, it's on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteThe heat+humidity are not my friends, but I feel like we are starting to get along a little better! I am not sure how the heat in Chicago compares to the heat in Kansas...but I hope I am ready! Less than a month to go!
ReplyDeleteThe pool sounds like it would be perfect after all those hot runs!
ReplyDeletei'm not super active right now, mainly because i'm about 4 weeks postpartum. i'm doing as much walking as i can with our newest addition, and starting some walk/runs soon. can't wait to get back out there! but the heat is something i don't really like, so i guess it's not the worst time to be off running.
ReplyDeletei cannot dive at all - and am not a big swimmer. but you make it look actually kind of fun!
Wow - that is hot! We rarely get that hot in Seattle and usually the mornings are less cool, but then I'm a total wimp to the heat when traveling anywhere in summer. The pool sounds amazingly refreshing after runs in weather like that.
ReplyDeleteWe're still in the cool mornings stage of summer here. Very and hot and full sun in the afternoon, so I try to work around it. We also have more humidity than normal because of above average rainfall, but even still it's like 65%, so nothing like southern/Midwest humidity. People are complaining about it, but I remember hot-hot-hot Ohio summers, so I'm fine!!
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for getting the miles in that you did. Its hard to remind ourselves that its okay to slow down, and run fewer miles, during the hot summer months. But its definitely a necessity.
ReplyDelete