Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Heat, Humidty, and Trips Ahead

This weekend's long run went ok. I still have no apparent injuries so I'm pretty happy on that front. Last year at this time in my training I was cringing on the long runs. However, it seems I am dealing with a different dilemma altogether, weather. I don't remember running in the heat last year at all for some reason. I am sure I did, I just don't recall it. Don't get me wrong, we've had a cool summer. But this past week changed things up a bit. I set out for my 15 mile run when it was a bit cooler but still really humid. It was like 100% humidity here during parts of the weekend. I still only have the 2 bottle Nathan hydration belt. I've ordered 2 extra bottles to attach to it but haven't gotten them in the mail yet. The end of my run was pretty tough. I was completely out of water with 3 miles to go, hot and sweat stinging my eyes. That and I had a stomach ache that was causing some cramps. Needless to say, I was walking a good portion of the last 2 miles but still managed to run a bit. I'm just happy that I finished it though.

This weekend's long run is supposed to be 16 miles. I will be leaving for the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri on Saturday early morning and I really don't want to run it down there (very very hilly). So, I'm going to attempt to squeeze it in on Thursday or Friday night. The sad thing is that it is supposed to be 90 degrees both days with more humidity. So frustrating. And I can't run in the morning because I would literally have to wake up at 2:30 to do that. Anyways, as you can see, I am really dreading my long run this week.

Also, next week I am going to have to find spots to run down at the Lake of the Ozarks. Evidently people don't do a lot of running around that area because for the life of me, I could not find a running club or running trails. I tried Map My Run and came across some highway runs but I wanted so badly for there to be a trail around the area. Maybe I'll stumble across something when we go down there. If nothing else, there is an Anytime Fitness so I can go there for the shorter runs.

3 comments:

SueBob said...

Luckily I have managed to get all of my runs in early in the morning (that is about the only time I have) so the heat hasn't been too much of a problem. But the humidity the last few days has been killer!

My advice for your long run...find a shady route! Lake Harriet has some good shade...

EmLit said...

Well, it's great that at least you can fall back on the gym while you are away. That's better than nothing!

As for your long run this week, I know how hard it can be when you are really dreading it. Try to think positive thoughts, though, and it may end up a little easier because you are giving yourself a mental boost! I hope it goes well :)

The Alien said...

For me, when it's the first time I'm running a distance I'm only focussed on finishing it and nothing else. Then, when it's a distance I've done before I start to get more conscious about things like weather and hills. So that might be why the heat is getting to you this year, it probably was there last year, but you only cared about running a distance you had never run before, but know that you know you can do the distance, you want to do it comfortably.

Have fun in Missouri