Monday’s workout was a harsh one. Difficult to do even on the best of days, so it didn’t help that, as my coach Dennis Barker put it, “You are going to need gills for this run”. Even at 8am when I began the workout it was in the 80’s and it was close to 100% humidity (it began to rain later in the morning). Nonetheless, like any running addict I pulled on my shoes and got out there in the elements and completed my workout of 1000m repeats. The workout went really well despite the weather, which was due in part to being properly fueled and dressed for the weather.
On those hot and sticky summer days when we wish we are fish, it’s important to be smart about the way you dress and hydrate. If you have any questions, visit the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) website for lots of great tips.
There are sadly too many tragic stories across all disciplines of sport that happen due to poor hydration. The girls I run with and I always plan our runs along the paths that are populated with drinking fountains, especially on days where we are going to be out in the heat for long run. Don’t have access to drinking fountains? Get yourself a fuel belt or take your car out before your run and plant some water bottles strategically along the course. Where there is a will, there is a way! Running in the heat or any other extreme elements is possible; it just takes a little more planning. For tips from a master of planning for long runs, in all kinds of elements read the book Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes. You don’t have to be an ultra runner to appreciate and benefit from his wisdom and humor.
Until next time, anyone have a pair of gills I can borrow?
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