Running Hot

      10 Comments on Running Hot

Firstly, I have to apologize for being slow to post lately.  We’ve had a lot of thunderstorms come through this past week, and our power has been knocked out a few times. It hasn’t been for long, but it’s giving my ancient router fits, and causing our wireless to go in and out. 🙁 Time for a new one soon, I imagine.

Anyway, along with those storms, it’s been really hot here in Michigan this past week.  I love the heat for the fact that it means I get to use my pool, but I’ve discovered it’s not much fun to run in. :/ But, run I must, if I want to keep on track for my 2:10 half marathon goal in September!  I have a treadmill, but it’s out in the barn, and since the barn pretty much acts as an oven in this weather, I’d rather run on the road. 😛

Saturday morning, I was schedule to do my first long run of my new training program—five miles.  Here’s what was called for:

“Run the first 2 miles at long run pace (10:46-11:58/mi). Switch to race pace (9:55/mi) for the number of miles specified in parenthesis. Finish at long run pace.”

When I first read it, I was all, “Four miles at 10:46-11:58? Oh, please—I can run the whole five miles at sub-10, easy!” Okay, maybe not easy :-P, but I have certainly had my share of sub-10 five-mile runs.  I figured I’d go out and run it moderately slow for the first two, then race-pace for the third and around 10 for the last two.

Ah, the best laid plans… 😉

Unfortunately, my husband didn’t get home from work until 9:30, and by the time I got out on the road, it was 10am.  And warm!

 

 

I had the forethought to put my bathing suit on beneath my run clothes, and I even remembered to take the pool cover off (with Jamie’s help) right before I left.  I had no idea how grateful I would be for those two small things later!

I ran the first two at sub-11, but it wasn’t the pleasant, easy run I would have expected.  Just as I was getting tired and really warm, it was time to start my “race pace” mile…which just happened to coincide with turning straight into the 10mph wind! Doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re hot and tired, it sure as hell is!

I can’t remember the last time I struggled so much to run.  I ran the entire mile at race pace, but when I got to the end of that mile, I was exhausted.  At that point, I was grateful for having “permission” to run slow, and I took the opportunity to walk, drink some water, and have a bit of Gu.  Good golly it was hot! I walked for maybe a quarter of a mile and then did a slow jog the rest of the way home.  I ran out of water at about mile 3.5, which sucked, but I was able to keep going with the knowledge that I would be able to jump in the pool as soon as I got home.

 

 

I ran a little faster on my last mile than my fourth one, mostly because I was desperate to get to the pool.  And when I got home, as I ran up the walk, I stripped off my Garmin, my running clothes, my shoes and socks, and I jumped straight into the pool.  It felt great!!

 

 

Unfortunately, the one thing I forgot to remove before I jumped in was my heart rate monitor. :/ I was in the pool for 10 minutes (at least) and was actually out and drying myself off before I even realized it. D’oh!  And yet…after it dried off, it worked just fine!  I’ve used it for 3 runs since, and it seems none the worse for the wear. Phew!!

My in-laws were coming over Sunday afternoon, so of course that meant the house needed to be cleaned Saturday.  I was darn tired after my hot run, so when the boys got bored with the pool (how does that happen?!), I decided that they could help.  :p  Then I made them do their dad’s workout video that he’s been adamant they do to “keep in hockey shape.”  😉 They were a couple of tired boys, but just to prove I’m not the worst mom ever, I did treat them to ice cream afterwards. 🙂

 

 

See, that’s a fun AND productive day!  On Sunday, I had another hot run with Jamie…

 

 

We were going to run 2, but we both decided that 1.5 was plenty! I also did strength training AND made dinner for my inlaws.  I think that was more than enough activity for the day!

Monday morning was Day 2 of intervals—oh boy!  No, actually, I was kind of excited to do them. 😉  As mentioned in my last post*, I did my first intervals on Thursday and found that I was much faster than I thought I was.  On Monday, though, I woke up a bit later than normal, and let me tell you, it made all the difference.

 

 

It was downright hot and muggy, and those intervals were HARD! And not nearly as impressive as last Thursday’s.

 

 

(Ignore that last split; I didn’t actually turn it off at the end, and somehow my Garmin traveled .16 miles while sitting on my dining room table! :-P)

Unlike last time, I felt like I really pushed myself, and I was exhausted when I was done.  But I was actually pretty proud of myself for keeping within my new, faster target (8:12-8:32) despite the heat and humidity.  I once again jumped in the pool afterwards, but this time, I remembered to remove my heart rate monitor. 😉  I’m happy to say that the results of my hard work last week did pay off on the scale:

 

 

I lost 2.2 pounds!  I still have four more to lose to get back to goal, though, so this week, I’ve decided to really shake up my diet—I’m foregoing a lot of my usual carbs and switching them out for protein.  I’ve had eggs, cheese sticks, and Greek yogurt for breakfast instead of cereal or English muffins, and for snacks at night I’ve been having small amounts of nuts instead of a piece of bread.  I sure hope that the extra protein gives my body a “wake-up call”! Any other suggestions for protein ideas are welcomed.

One last thing: I have another little “project” I’m going to post about soon.  It needs to be “approved” first, so if you see a “password-protected” post in your feed, you can ignore it.  It’s the easiest way for me to send it out to the people in question to let them preview it before it goes live.  It’ll be fun and interesting and worth the wait, I promise! 😀

Thanks so much to everyone for reading and supporting me!’

*By the way, I somehow neglected to mention in my last post what half-marathon I’m actually running in September! It’s the Chicago Half-Marathon on September 8th. I’m excited, because I have family in Chicago, and my dad promises to be there to greet me at the finish line! 🙂

10 thoughts on “Running Hot

  1. Jenn

    I am exhausted reading your post, Steph. I am very intrigued by your running program. Way to stick with your training, even in the soaring temperatures and “Hazzah!” for your pool. Chuckling over your heart rate monitor… I was imagining it being flatline! And hurrah for your on scale victory. I know it has been a long time coming. I am excited to get a report on how increasing your protein works for you. I worry about plateauing and knowledge is power. Kudos to sticking with the plan and for getting over that hurdle. I hope that this week is similar successful. Go Steph!

    Reply
    1. steph Post author

      Ha ha ha, you made me laugh out loud with “Hazzah!” You crack me up. 😉 Thanks for being so awesome!! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Kelsey

    Second again!

    Heat kills my speed! But you did great! Speed takes so much energy! I am amazed you could run in a swimming suit. I would hate that!

    Excited for your next half and it’s coming up soon! I know you’ll break your goal! Definitely motivate me to keep up with you!

    Reply
    1. steph Post author

      LOL, I’m telling you, no one is as quick as Jenn. 😉 Thanks for the nice words…I’m really excited about my next half, and also about going to Chicago!!

      Reply
  3. Renee

    I confess I am a heat and humidity weakling! If it’s passed 8am on a hot, humid day, I run early or I just don’t run! 🙂 As I’m sure with most runners, high humidity really poses a challenge for my ability to breath. And, let’s face it, you gotta breath. Kudos to you for sticking it out. You know your hard work will pay off. I can’t wait to run up north at my in-laws. After my run, I make a b line straight for their backyard and into Lake Huron!!

    Reply
    1. steph Post author

      LOL, I love the idea of running straight into the lake!! Thanks for being such an awesome, supportive friend–I hope your training goes GREAT this week! xoxo

      Reply
    1. steph Post author

      I use a program that my friend Katie developed for me, which is basically a modified version of Hal Higdon’s novice half marathon program. I used that one for my first half and I really liked it. Thanks for stopping by! Best wishes with the little one!!

      Reply
  4. MountainHawk

    I can tell you’re dedicated because when I see it’s 81F outside, I stay inside. :p

    Very cool (literally!) that you can just jump into the pool afterwards.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *