Beating the Heat

Running in the heat and humidity in the south is a challenge to say the least. Racing this time of year, for me, is difficult at best. And, now my hubby has signed us up for one next month...JULY! Why in the world do I let him do this to me? I absolutely forbade him to do this to me again after the Bay Fest 5k where I thought I was going to hang up my shoes and say "it's been a good ride" and now here we go again. Oh, it's not ALL him...guess it's the racer in me that wants to participate as often as I can. But in all honesty, I'm just not a summer runner outside. I've been working harder on this because I would like to do a 5k occasionally in the heat of the year without the stress of passing out or hurting something or someone (no, not really). My brain wants to run and race but it's getting my body up to par to go along with it.

This year I'm doing a little more running outside. Yes, it's early, but at least I'm outdoors some. But this isn't the only challenge I'm facing. We've been busier this year since I've been running which is causing more planning...busy-ness vs. when vs. inside vs. outside. It's all there. Personally, I function better when I can be consistent at a specific time AND at a specific place. Well, let's face it, it's easier to do this when you have more control. Factors like grandchildren's activities, heat and changing locations (via camping) throws in a ton of factors that mix together in different combinations. And, though I've not been as consistent in daily runs, I am trying to run 4 times a week...somewhere at some time. If I can conquer this I'll be more likely to pick up and head out (or on the tm) when the time presents itself in out-of-control days. I love it when my FB friends post their runs! People, please don't stop doing this. You never know how you influence others. Whether they are "good" ones run fast or just the fact that they beat "the system" (environment) and get out and do it, it's all encouraging to me. I can't tell you how much these posts have give me the kick in the butt that I needed to run, even if it wasn't at 6:30 in the morning. Because of this, I've done better than I thought I would.

Now for last week's review.
Monday: Started with a 1 mile warm up followed by 3 miles of running and ending with 1.5 miles cool down. I know that doesn't seem like much or challenging but this is good for me. This was done outside and it was getting hotter and hotter.
Tuesday: Ran 5 miles on my tm and burned 781 calories. Felt good. Later that afternoon I got in another 2 miles on it using 314 calories that time. That's over 1000 calories for the day. I'd say this was another success.
Wednesday: I did my second spin DVD class with Frank. This is hard for me. But I don't like for inanimate things to beat me or control me. With that in mind, I ride a bike that doesn't move, there are hills (in Bay Springs) and humid weather that I am determined to beat. At least, give it a run for it's money. My spin workout was better and I felt stronger than I did the first time. It's still hard for me to spin like the program directs you to but my goal is to do the entire class without having to sit down. On Thursdays and Fridays my quads are tight but it's the good feel that exercise leaves you with when you know you've done well for your ability. Thanks, Frank, for going with me cause I might not have tried it the second time. Can't wait to do it again this week!
Saturday: Before leaving for that day's all-star games out of town, I was determined to run somewhere for a little while. With no distance in mind, I thought I'd go out to the Sportsplex and do what I could as well as I could. Once I got on the street, I realized I felt pretty good. Was going to start with a walk w/u but decided quickly I wanted to start running. Soon my mode changed again to do a couple of speedy 800's. My fartleks are usually made up of 400's and having nothing in mind to do on this run I thought I'd go for it. I began running my first 800 with the fastest pace. It had some slower running in it because I decided after I had started running but still okay with it. This felt pretty good....hmmmm! Maybe I'll do another mile of 800's. So this goes on for 4 miles! I couldn't believe I was strong enough to do so many half mile pick-ups when I've only done quarter mile ones in the past. Then I realized one reason...spinning! I really believe the little bit of spinning I've done has begun to help with the strength in my legs...I could "feel" those muscles working and I really haven't, like this anyway. With 4 miles down now and a little more time to spare I thought I'd shoot for 2 x 400's running as fast as I could, not just faster, but the fastest WITHOUT throwing up...no Magic Mile for me now. I began breathing pretty hard and could hear it well over my music but I kept pushing. I pushed myself as hard as I could. It was feeling great! I never knew this would feel good but I was loving it. My first 400 was down. When equal recovery was over, I shot for my last pick-up as hard as I could go. After I got going I realized the sun was beginning to play havoc with my breathing and ability. I looked at my watch 2 or 3 times hoping it wouldn't be long...and granted it wasn't...but it seemed like a long time to finish. I knew I was slowing down but then I began talking to myself and saying things like "I can hold my breath long enough to finish this!" And before I knew it I was done!! Yep, I was done with only some walking for a cool down. All pick-ups were followed by equal recovery.

When all was said and done I was very pleased with my pace with increasing better times with each fartlek.
800's pace:
1 - 9:20 (should have restarted my lap but didn't)
2 - 8:24
3 - 8:14
4 - 7:57

400's pace:
1 - 6:49
2 - 7:03

This is super for me. I even had a spike of 5:50 in my 400! This has never happened before! Now I'm getting excited that there may be another 5k PR for me this fall. Two great things occurred: I felt great and there was NO pain!! What a day!!

This week was a very good one. Had I planned the week I wouldn't have gotten in the 4-5 runs as I always want to achieve and would have been disappointed.

Lesson learning: To do as much as I can and do not sit around with stinking thinking that it's too late to run when I still have many hours left in the day. I say "learning" because I KNOW I will have to face this giant again. At least with a successful week behind me, I will have begun a track record of overcoming this "control" obstacle that fights me.

Until next time...
Run 4 It