Pre-Marathon Thoughts: Heat
by Robert James Reese » May 8th, 2009 » 3 Comments
To simply say that I've been thinking a lot about the marathon would be a colossal understatement. Truth be told, it has completely taken over my thoughts. I've wanted to write about it up here, but each time I try, I get overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin. So, I've decided that, instead of trying it all at once, I'll just chip away here and there on various topics.
One of the biggest things that worries me is one that is completely out of my control: the weather or, more specifically, the heat. I've never been great at running in high temps, but I was able to acclimate myself fairly well over the course of last summer. Trouble is that I haven't been able to adjust yet this year, so if we have a warm day on the 17th down in Delaware, I'm up shit creek, as they say.
A couple weeks ago, when it really started warming up, I decided that I would shift the majority of my runs to middle of the afternoon so it would be as hot as possible and I'd build up my resistance to the heat. I've held my end of the bargain, but mother nature hasn't cooperated. It's rained pretty much non-stop for the last week-and-a-half keeping the weather unseasonably cool. Normally I wouldn't complain, but how am I supposed to heat train without the heat?
Today it finally warmed up a bit and I headed out to do short run at 1:00. My goal for the run was to find a comfortable pace and settle into a groove that I think I could maintain for 26 miles. Good news was that I did find that zone (it happened to be at 6:55/mile – more on that in another post), but the bad news was that I was completely wiped out by like mile three. I was sweating so much, my mouth was so dry, and all I could think about was getting back home and getting a big glass of water.
I managed to finish with impressively consistent splits (min 6:52, max 6:59), and finally did get back home to that nice big glass of water. I also got back to some bad news... When I checked the weather I learned it was only 70 degrees. Seriously? I thought it was like 85 out there. Christ.
So, here's the plan: All you superstitious folks out there, start praying or doing rain dances or whatever it is that you all do so that we can get some freakishly cold weather in Delaware next weekend. Please. I need it.
p.s. It's not looking good so far. As of now, they say 78 degrees and sunny...
One of the biggest things that worries me is one that is completely out of my control: the weather or, more specifically, the heat. I've never been great at running in high temps, but I was able to acclimate myself fairly well over the course of last summer. Trouble is that I haven't been able to adjust yet this year, so if we have a warm day on the 17th down in Delaware, I'm up shit creek, as they say.
A couple weeks ago, when it really started warming up, I decided that I would shift the majority of my runs to middle of the afternoon so it would be as hot as possible and I'd build up my resistance to the heat. I've held my end of the bargain, but mother nature hasn't cooperated. It's rained pretty much non-stop for the last week-and-a-half keeping the weather unseasonably cool. Normally I wouldn't complain, but how am I supposed to heat train without the heat?
Today it finally warmed up a bit and I headed out to do short run at 1:00. My goal for the run was to find a comfortable pace and settle into a groove that I think I could maintain for 26 miles. Good news was that I did find that zone (it happened to be at 6:55/mile – more on that in another post), but the bad news was that I was completely wiped out by like mile three. I was sweating so much, my mouth was so dry, and all I could think about was getting back home and getting a big glass of water.
I managed to finish with impressively consistent splits (min 6:52, max 6:59), and finally did get back home to that nice big glass of water. I also got back to some bad news... When I checked the weather I learned it was only 70 degrees. Seriously? I thought it was like 85 out there. Christ.
So, here's the plan: All you superstitious folks out there, start praying or doing rain dances or whatever it is that you all do so that we can get some freakishly cold weather in Delaware next weekend. Please. I need it.
p.s. It's not looking good so far. As of now, they say 78 degrees and sunny...
3 Comments
I'm very impressed with your purposeful afternoon runs for the heat. Whether it worked or not, who knows, but you sure tried. Way to "cowboy" up. ;)
It's very natural for all of your thoughts to be centered around the marathon. Enjoy this time. Focus. Breathe. And do your best. We'll be thinking of you and cheering you on.
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