The heat and other random stuff

I'm pretty sure wherever you are reading this, you're probably in a heat wave too.  It's been crazy hot around here these days.  It's been over 90 degrees every day this week since Monday.  And what have I done?  I've actually gone out and run 3 days.  *scratches head*

I hate running in the heat.  Really.  I do.  But Monday, I hit Front Street in Harrisburg for about a 2 mile run (not sure because apparently I forgot to charge Garmin and my Nano, that has a pedometer on it.). According to my car (which I know isn't the most accurate thing in the world, but...) it was 92 degrees out.  I then headed into the Y for my trainer session.  Maybe not the best idea.  I was dying! 

Then Tuesday I hit the mean streets of Manchester to run the Wounded Warrior Virtual 5k, so 3.1 miles.  It was hot then too!  I'm also not a morning person, which means I don't get up at 5 in the morning to run.  I get up my normal time and run.  So, I was out at 9:00 a.m., when it was about 80 degrees.  Fun.

Yesterday, hubby and I hit Pinchot State Park for a trail run.  It was hot!  The car said it was about 86 degrees at 9:15 a.m.  The car doesn't do humidity though and I am pretty sure that was through the roof, under all those trees.  We took the trail I did last weekend and ran up all sorts of rocks.  Then when we hit where I turned around, hubby decided to take us left...up and over even more rocks!  It was crazy!  No wonder this trail is labeled difficult!  We managed approximately 3 miles in 40 minutes.  You would not have wanted to be around us afterwards though.  LOL! 

Then yesterday, we hit a lake for a picnic with a friend and his family.  It was oppressive!  We hung out on the shore, hubby managed to get into the water, we road around on the boat, then had a yummy picnic dinner.  Sadly, after dinner, a thunderstorm came through and we had to cover the boat and miss the fireworks.  :-(  We ended up hanging out at a local restaurant/bar for a little while, enjoying the air and lack of rain.

I'm hearing tales that the heat wave may be ending.  I'll believe it when I feel it.  And they say global warming is a myth....

Summer Heat

This is me these days.  The temps here in the Mid-Atlantic have gotten in the high 90s and I'm not handling it well.  I hate the heat.  I've never liked the summer temperatures and now that we've hit some doozies, I'm all for staying in-doors, but that's impossible.

I work in an Archives, which regulates the temperature and humidity to protect the documents.  I work mostly on the 15th floor of our tower.  Each floor has a temperature/humidity reader.  My floor the last few days has been 72-73 degrees, with humidity ranging from 62-55.  Sounds lovely if you're sitting around doing computer work, research, watching a ball game.  But, when you're lugging 40-50 pound boxes off shelves, then putting them back it gets hot.  I was sweating at work yesterday.  Not cool.

And this weekend?  It's supposed to be 92 both Saturday and Sunday in Baltimore, where we will be.  Hubby is running the Dreaded Druid Hills 10k (sorry!) and I'm volunteering, then Sunday I'm running the Baltimore Women's Classic 5k.  Why is it always hot this weekend????

I need it to calm down temperature wise just a little because I'm having a real tough time getting my workouts in.  Ugh.  That Spartan Sprint in three weeks!!! isn't going to run itself.

The heat is here.   No lie.  The temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic have risen above my comfort level.  I do not like the heat.  Never have.  I've always been an air-conditioning kinda gal in the summer.  Strange that the best job I had before college was a camp counselor for four years.  LOL!

I hate running in the heat.  I really do.  Bring on the cold weather.  Bring on the cold gear, gloves, hats, scarves, and jackets.  But, it's summer now and those are now packed away waiting for the fall/winter. 

I have to get over the heat and get out on the roads.  Seriously.  I have to get over my hate of the heat and run.  I have several races planned out for the summer - three to be exact, well four if you count September.  The Baltimore Women's Classic (June 24th), the Sunset Stretch 5k (July 28th), and the Harrisburg Senators Family Fun Run 5k (August 11th).  Oh and if we're counting September the Sasquatch Trail Run (September 15th).

I must acknowledge that my eight PR streak is going to end.  I do not run well in the summer.  I run much slower than usual.  But, I will run.  I will get my butt out on the roads and get the miles in.  They will be slow miles, but they will count.  Slow miles are still miles.

Weekday Run

I went for my first weekday run in ages this morning.  And the above photo is what it felt like to me.  I am so not a warm weather runner.  To be honest, I'm not a warm weather type of person per se.  Sure, I like hitting the beach and sitting out on a deck for dinner.  I like going out on a boat or playing mini-golf.  But, I've never been a fan of heat or summer.

The body just isn't used to heat yet.  We've had such a cold winter and just this past month, it's just been rainy and chilly all the time.  Having several days where the temps are warm and the sun is out is...odd.  I don't know what to do with it.

But, I went out this morning for a run because my last one was such a disaster.  And sadly, this one wasn't much better.  I got in 2 miles in 29:25.  I'm sure that's faster than Saturday, but it's not where I would like to be for 2 miles.  I've done 2 miles several times in the 26s, and many, many times in the 27s.  I'm not happy with 29 minute 2 miles.  Which means, as awful as it sounds, I need to run more.  Bah.

The rest of the week shapes us thus:

Wednesday: Bike (12.5 miles)
Thursday: Run (1 mile interval)
Friday: Bike (11 miles)
Saturday: Run (2-3 miles)
Sunday: Rest