I fought the heat and the heat won. I have heard that heat and humidity can have a cumulative effect on the body. I think I experienced this first hand yesterday. Saturday I set out for a slow 10 mile run. I knew it would be slow going with a few breaks needed because of the humidity. I still wanted to maintain 9 minute miles, and was able to do that, which I considered a success. My clothes were soaked through and through and a shower never felt better.
Yesterday, I wanted to run a mere 3 miles so I could reach 100 miles for the month of July. Turns out, I wouldn’t have needed them because the 10 miler on Saturday got me there. I left my high tech mileage tracker at work, so I was going off of what I remembered.
High Tech Mileage Tracker (HTMT)
Mr. BKL had mentioned a bike ride and even though it was hot, I figured I could still do both a short run and a ride. I was feeling pretty full of myself because the 3 miles flew by with ease. Sure I didn’t have my Garmin and didn’t time it, but it felt good. I strolled back into the house, changed clothes, and geared up the bike for the 12 mile ride. It was hot, but we were doing pretty good. Tour de France we are not, but when we bike we are still out there getting the heart rates into the cardio zone. Half way through, we switched directions and were now facing the sun and had a bit of a wind to deal with. I started to feel hot and very thirsty. My water was gone and some nausea started creeping. With 4 miles to go and no chance of shade, I was hurting. I had to slow down and admit defeat. I hate feeling like a wimp.
Once we were home I drank as much water as I could stomach and laid in the A/C for a while. It took a good 2 hours before I felt normal again. I really do believe the combination of the 10 miler the day before and the heat really did me in. I always drink obscene amounts of water but apparently it wasn’t enough.
I think the thing that is bothering me the most lately is my lack of speed work in preparation for the 10 mile race. Since I don’t have access to a treadmill right now, everything has had to be done outdoors and in the month of July, that has meant ridiculous heat and humidity. I must have seasonal amnesia, because I don’t remember it this bad last summer, but perhaps it was because I had access to a treadmill.
Tonight was slightly more confidence boosting on the work part of the workouts. I did 4 miles at goal race pace, with a 1/2 mile warm up and cool down. It was really humid out, but not nearly as hot. Onward and upward! Stay hydrated out there kids.
Do you use a paper calendar? I have an android phone and am clearly not utilizing it.
I’ve also come to the conclusion that I will never train for a fall marathon. I can’t fathom having to be doing that mileage in this heat. For those of you who are doing just that, feel free to complain in the comments below.
