Its that time of year again where the world skips spring and jumps right into summer. Except Florida, we went from not too hot to a mild day in Hades. Unless you are training for Badwater, then training for a fall race can become quite taxing. So, the question is...how do you keep motivated and safe during these cow manure conditions? I can tell you what I do, but please dont necessarily try this at home.
If you dont have many scheduling conflicts then the best would be to join the VRC (Vampire Running Club). Just hit the pavement when the sun isnt out and your only issue will be that glorious feeling of running thru pea soup during a steamy day. I dont always have the opportunity to train during the dark hours, so I use the blazing sun to my advantage. Ive always said being able to run through shitty conditions make you a better runner mentally. Also, if you can work through a sauna run then think about how easy a 6am race start will be in way milder conditions. Work with what ya got. Use the not so great conditions to your advantage. So how do you fuel for summer? If you recall, fueling for me is a big challenge and im quite weird about carrying things when I run. For the non weird, carry some form of hydration tool. I hate making recommendations because everyone is so different. Go to a store and test those babies out. Im not shy about returning stuff if it just didnt work for me. You can always trade with runner friends. For me personally, I do my long hot runs on a busier road so I know where all the water fountains are. Occasionally I have a crazy friend who wants to bike behind me with my water and a just in case IV. True story, my friend Vance biked behind me during a 20miler with his medic bag. I only sip water cause too much makes me nauseated. If my stomach is too bitchy, then I will try gingerale. During my 50miler to the Keys in nasty conditions, my drink of choice was flat gingerale. I also popped endurolyte capsules like candy. Endurolytes is definitely something I recommend highly and I dont mind some NUUN in my water (You are welcome Kara Goucher). Its all trial and error so definitely try things out on a shorter run. Body temps can get dangerously high, so always be aware of how your body reacts. Know when its time to walk or call for a ride. Sometimes water is better on you than in you, so go for that good ole fashioned wet tshirt contest. Im also a big fan of laying on my nice cold tile floor when I get home. So basically in a nutshell...come prepared and make summer your bitch. In just a few months everyone will be complaining about the snow and Im sorry to say that Im no help in that department. Queen of the tropics signing off!
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy first steps as a baby according to my parents was actually a run. At 5yrs old my dad took me to the NYC Marathon, but truth be told I had no idea why people were running down the street. All this was foreshadowing for what was to be a life of running almost 30 years later. "If opportunity doesnt knock...build a door." Archives
March 2015
Categories |