Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Survivorwoman.

It's another scorcher.  Even the homeless panhandlers are no where to be found in the heat of day.  I think something like 8 billion people were shot this weekend in Chicago.  The italian ice vendors are out of everything but lemon by evening.  Everyone is grouchy.  People are out walking their dog before 6am, not just me anymore.  And most importantly - hooligan cooling is in full force.


(if you have never lived in a somewhat less affluent urban area, you are missing out.  We know how to party when its hot. this hydrant was jam-packed with no less than 2 dozen people until well after midnight.)


And most importantly, Tom Skilling is predicting an extra hot summer to rival 1977.  (which apparently was the hottest on record? - i wouldn't know, i wasn't born yet.)  


I could list a bunch of great tips for summer running - always have water, don't run during the hottest part of the day, but we all know that.  I don't know what it is, but as soon as i hear "don't run during the hottest part of the day" i slip on my running shoes and run during the hottest part of the day.  


You might be thinking "but wait, didn't the rockford marathon kick your ass less then a month ago, leaving you a hollow dehydrated shell vowing to never race in the heat again?"  That is very true.  And i won't race in the heat again.  Especially not a marathon - that beast is hard enough in good conditions. But that doesn't mean i won't go on hot weather running adventures!  In a hot weather running adventure, you can stop and cool off if you feel too hot, you can change your course to run in the shade, or even to splash through some water, you can run as slow as you want, whatever distance you want, and you can enjoy the path all to yourself, because most likely, other crazy runners are few and far between.  


There is something about running in extreme conditions that appeals to me (despite my constant whining) - i like the challenge, and i like the feeling of conquering that challenge.  It's just as much a mental exercise as it is a physical exercise - almost like a meditation.  Yeah, it's crazy hot and uncomfortable, and the shortest, slowest run feels like an endurance event, but by the end you almost feel cleansed.  


97 degrees?  110% humidity? 150 mph winds??  In Chicago, we call that "running weather."







****Disclaimer: I always have either my ID or an emergency contact bracelet.  Or if i am really off the grid, i bring my phone.  I am a badass, but i am not stupid - prepare for the worst no matter how tough you are.

28 comments:

  1. Haha I love this post!

    There is truly something badass about running in extreme conditions. I'm mighty pleased with myself for pulling off a tempo run in the 95 degree headwinds from hell conditions last night. Asides, how else can we be adequately prepared to run in warmer temps if we don't run in hotter temps? If we can slog through 95 degree days, then imagine how frigid 75 or even 55 will be :)

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    1. And, just throwing it out there - sometimes our marathon's can end up being 95 degrees with 30mph head winds. I have SEEN it! :D

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  2. Yeah I run in the hottest part of the day too. Either that, or 2am when I get off of work. I think training in the heat actually helped me when I did my race in nice, cool temps.

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    1. I totally agree! "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger"

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  3. Are you kidding? I see people running in the mid day..extreme heat and think WHY OR WHY? I guess now I know...they are the badass runners like yourself. ;-)

    I am a morning person ... who hasn't run in almost a month...but next week I may try a couple of miles...F.I.N.A.L.L.Y!

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    1. I do run in the morning too, but until i really feel comfortable with the heat, i will try and run during the hottest part of the day!

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  4. I stepped outside for a second to take out the trash (since I'm working from home today) and even though it was MUCH hotter than I thought, I still wanted to be outside running around. Anything but cooped up inside slouching at my computer...

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    1. You should have! It had cooled down to a brisk 91 by the time i finished.

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  5. Haha! I do the same thing! I ran when it was 5 degrees one night in the winter. And I always say "I love running in the heat!" Really, I like training in any temp just in case! But yes, it's the challenge that I like! This morning, I ran and the humidity was so high! I complained like a baby! That's when I don't like to run. Although, I still do it!

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    1. Oh, i complain the entire time. Its like the whining fuels me!

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  6. I will do extreme winter running, no problem. But as soon as it is hot, I'm a pansy.

    And all I read here was "hot hot hot bla bla I love heat BOBBI YOU ARE EFFING OLD heat heat hot bla bla bla I'm not stupid." The heat must be messing with my head. Right?

    (and WTF with that wind yesterday?)

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    1. that wind made it an obstacle course. I think i ran sideways at one point....

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  7. My goal this year is to not be afraid of the heat. I let it defeat me last year and I'm not going to let it get me down this year. Especially since my goal half marathon is in July. It is time to get acclimated!

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    1. Yeah, i feel that way too. My goal half is in september, which is no more predictable than july these days...

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  8. I'm glad I'm not the only one! When I hear "90" MPH winds (I live in OK) I experience an urge to run in it! That's got to be cardio + strength training at the same time, right?! I'm trying to get used to running in the heat , too because I can't run all summer on the treadmill. Good luck to you! And as Gingers, we will no doubt get a few more freckles for our efforts.

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    1. I am actually currently working on a freckle tan line!

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  9. Now that my school year is done and I can sleep in again (if you can call 6am "in"), I would be wise to get out in the cool of the early/mid morning to do my training.....but I'll still probably go out in the heat of the afternoon. Am I just lazy, or having survived Boston, merely letting my badass flag fly? It's supposed to be hitting the 90's here the rest of the week....perfect running conditions! LOL

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    1. I think you are supposed to get it even worse than we did! I totally think it is just being a badass :D

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  10. it is really hard running in the heat, I thought of you today when I ran

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    1. Good for you for getting it done! Welcome to the badass club :)

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  11. i'm such a wimp when it comes to the heat! Yesterday was in the low 90's, and i wimped out of doing 5 miles, and did 3 instead. Today, I'm skipping my speed workout for an easy 4 miler. And the only reason i'm even running is bc of peer pressure, I would much rather spend a 95+ day on the sofa beside the air-conditioner!

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    1. Your wimping out is my actual training plan :D I could never do speed training in heat like this. (or maybe ever...)

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  12. I usually never run before 7am, but this time of year, I have to get out by ~6am. Afternoon runs? Forget about it. Will winter ever get here? :-)

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    1. According to the Starks of winterfell - it's coming.

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  13. Love this post! I saw on your Facebook wall how someone was asking you if you were going to run in the heat and you said yes. I had to laugh because just that am, my Father-in-law said to me (seriously) "You don't run in this heat do you? It's not safe!" WTF, Dude. I have been running for years, including in this heat, GFY, you know nothing about working out, let alone running. So I had to read your Facebook conversation to the people in the car... including him. Sigh. Running in the heat can be done safely, people.

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    1. Like we would really be all rookie sauce, running our max rate for 3 hours with no water and wearing cotton tshirts and pants. In her defense though, it was my mom, and she spent the last hour of the Rockford marathon driving the last 6 miles of the course looking for my body, and i think it might have traumatized her! :D

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  14. I secretly like running in the heat too. It's challenging and kind of exciting! But only for short distances. This past Sunday I awoke early for my long run and as I ran under trees I would shake them with my hands and water (it rained at night) would shower down on me. Haha it totally worked to cool me off!

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  15. Ha! The organic orange juice part kills me. In college, I interned in Downtown Detroit and us interns went out for Thai food for lunch. On our way back to the office, my friend offered her leftovers to a homeless man who refused the leftovers and said "I can't eat spicy food, I have an ulcer." I still remember this moment!

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