Is it just me or is this heat kinda of crazy?!!!
After running is day after day of mid 90s plus temps compounded by high humidity, my body finally decided to kick and scream at me during my failed 20mi attempt at Clinton Lake trails this past Saturday.
Yes, this was me last Saturday. I knew it was going to rough as I my heart rate was a little too high and I was sweating profusely even after the first 1.5mi in the trails.
Let me back up a day or two though as I think the problem actually started during Thursday’s evening run…..
Thursday evening was brutally hot..dare I say dangerously so. The temps were hovering around 103-104F with the humidity creating a heat index that was much higher. I had hydrated fairly well through the day, but once I started running the sweat was on! The plan was to do smaller 2.6mi orange loops at Shawnee Mission Park. The first two while purposefully slow were good. Once Beck and I started the third loop, I could tell my body was having hard time. I was literally dripping with sweat to the point I could wring it out of my clothes and my heart rate was high. We walked more than I would have wanted and although I was hoping to go out for another loop, I stopped after 3 loops.
Fast forward 6.30am Saturday morning at Clinton. Despite trying to make sure I was rehydrated from Thursday evening, I still felt ‘off’. But the company was wonderful and it was at least nice and shady in the trails. So I figured it would be ok. After about 3-4miles in I knew the full scheduled 20 might be a stretch today…maybe I could shoot for 17 with the rest the of the group. I slowed down, tried to keep hydrating and salting, but as I got close to the Land’s End turnaround point I knew I was likely done at 10 
.
My Coach being the most awesome person ever…stuck with me and walked back which was so very much appreciated!! As bad as I felt, having her to chat with and just knowing she was right there was a HUGE, HUGE help. I was especially glad to have her right there as I puked up all my nutrition….guess we know now was chewed up dried apple looks like! Coleen and I just kept on moving forward, all the while she kept checking and talking with me to make sure I was ok and eventually we got the parking lot. I felt quite defeated! My heart so wanted to make my body go back out with Beck, Rikki and Coleen as they went out for another 7miles…but my head won out and I called it a day…and smartly so! I had to listen to my body and it was saying no more for today!! Plus even if I wanted to…Coleen and Beck would have pretty much dragged me back to car and sent me off 
I spent the rest of the doing some serious rehydrating and making sure I cooled my body down. Movie time with hubby in a cool theater and some post dinner mango sorbet finally got my body to cool down.
Sunday I felt pretty beat down and the self doubt started to creep in. Can I do this? I couldn’t get to 20…how can I get to 50 in two months time?!!
It’s funny how something little can give you just the motivation you need at the right time.
Saturday I got my first Ultra Running Magazine issue in the mail. But I didn’t really get to reading it until later Sunday. A picture and follow up comments on Facebook was where Coleen pointed this out…. My first result listing in Ultra Running Magazine. It was off Free State in April where I finished 40miles!
Yes, I had a stupid crappy bad long run Saturday where I felt like a I hadn’t run a step before! The damn heat day after day after day finally got the better of me that day. BUT I did run 40miles..see its in print! I got so focused on what I need to do..that I forgot what I have done. I have remind myself that everyone has bad runs and one bad run where I stopped short of what I needed to do doesn’t mean I’m weak..just means my body needed something extra that I wasn’t able to give it that day. It happens! Time to remember that lesson (‘cos yeah this summer is going to be a rough one), keep listening to my body, treat it right and move forward!
Of course…I am also praying that Mother Nature send us some very, very fall like weather come September 8th! Yes, hard work and training is required, but a having Mother Nature on your side doesn’t hurt right
You sweat so much regularly that I couldn't use it to tell anything on Thursday or Saturday, but I know it's trouble when you get quiet. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're feeling better. In the grand scheme, a few missed miles here and there won't make a difference when most of your training is smart, diligent and steady! Look out, September!