I haven't updated much since I finished my first half marathon so here it is, an update. I have been sort of on a running hiatus since the race, but not intentionally. My leg was pretty sore after finishing on June 26th, then I got some strange illness that has caused me to cough for almost a month and have a voice that sounds much like a 75 year old chain-smoking man. I have done some yoga and light aerobic activities, but I am ready to hit that pavement again. I guess I might have needed to take a little bit of time off to not experience running burn out.
I was thinking about following Hal Higdon's Spring Training program before I start my official training all over again. It seems like it will make me a little bit faster, and my body a little bit sexier. Does anyone have any great tips for in-between race training?
I also have a small chunk of exciting news! I have been talking to Fitness Magazine and they are talking about doing an itty bitty piece about me in their "I did it" feature. I don't want to jinx anything, but I just got off the phone with the nice lady from the magazine a few minutes ago! It's all very exciting!
I'll keep you all posted on everything!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Runnng in Hot Weather
There are about two months of the year (if we are lucky) in Washington in which we get fantastic weather. And by fantastic, I mean so warm you start to wish nudity was more widely accepted. It's the second week of July now, and we are finally in the midst of this heat. I have only trained in the winter and spring and I am really eager to get out there and pound that pavement again. I also don't want to die of heat stroke or just melt right into the road. This has actally kept me from running all week. I think I have gained 17 pounds in 4 days.
Anyway, I started researching a little bit to figure out how to run in the summer and not die. I have discovered the following tips:
1. Drink water. Lots of water. And not just before a long run. Drink all day everyday. Think of yourself as a sponge when the weather is hot and humid. You don't want to dry out and become all crusty and smelly, do you?
2. Electrolytes. From what I understand, if you are running in the heat, these are an important part of not dying. Gatorade, Powerade.. you know the drill.
3. Run early in the morning and late in the evening, when the temperature is cooler. This one just makes sense. Why would you really want to run at like 2 in the afternoon in 96 degree weather? You may be suicidal and you may need some counseling. That is just my professional opinion.
4. Show as much of your naked skin as you can, without offending someone or going to jail. Don't sacrifice being cool because you are self conscious about a body part. Who really cares? And always remember, cotton is rotten.
5. Wear your sunscreen! Unless you are gearing up for a lobster look-a-like competition, slap on some SPF 30. You would think this is common sense, but people love their tans (and apparently their wrinkly, prematurely aging skin). We also have enough to deal with with all of the chaffing. Can you imagine a chaffing sunburn? No thanks.
Well, this is all I have learned about running in the sun. I am going to test out my knowledge tonight. If anyone has any other tips to add, please feel free to do so!
Happy sweaty, sticky running!
Anyway, I started researching a little bit to figure out how to run in the summer and not die. I have discovered the following tips:
1. Drink water. Lots of water. And not just before a long run. Drink all day everyday. Think of yourself as a sponge when the weather is hot and humid. You don't want to dry out and become all crusty and smelly, do you?
2. Electrolytes. From what I understand, if you are running in the heat, these are an important part of not dying. Gatorade, Powerade.. you know the drill.
3. Run early in the morning and late in the evening, when the temperature is cooler. This one just makes sense. Why would you really want to run at like 2 in the afternoon in 96 degree weather? You may be suicidal and you may need some counseling. That is just my professional opinion.
4. Show as much of your naked skin as you can, without offending someone or going to jail. Don't sacrifice being cool because you are self conscious about a body part. Who really cares? And always remember, cotton is rotten.
5. Wear your sunscreen! Unless you are gearing up for a lobster look-a-like competition, slap on some SPF 30. You would think this is common sense, but people love their tans (and apparently their wrinkly, prematurely aging skin). We also have enough to deal with with all of the chaffing. Can you imagine a chaffing sunburn? No thanks.
Well, this is all I have learned about running in the sun. I am going to test out my knowledge tonight. If anyone has any other tips to add, please feel free to do so!
Happy sweaty, sticky running!
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