The last time I ran in major heat and humidity with out adequate hydration was the day I went with my friend and kept going and going and going. My list of things I want to try include a hydration belt so I am not with out water. I really slumped on that run. Part of it was from thirst. Part of it was that it was probably just too early to run 7 miles after doing the Boilermaker.
Anyway, the forecast called for not super high temps (85 or so) but high humidity, and I wanted to make sure I didn't bail on my run today, so I dropped the kids at summer recreation and then drove into town to run in the park. The park has a mile and a half loop, and lots of places I could stash water. Also, it has two bathrooms. It seems like I can't step out the door to run with out having to pee in the first ten minutes. This is why I love running skirts...much more modest to stop and 'tie my shoe' in a skirt than in shorts. Anyway, I took the 10 minute drive and went in knowing I would run at least two laps. The first lap I stowed a gatorade bottle (my husbands, yuck, I hate the stuff) with ice, water and nuun in the planter by the enterance. My first trip around was nice and quiet, pretty cool temperatures and few bugs. I stopped and peed at the first bathroom (it was inevitable) got back to the start and drank half the bottle of nuun. I felt so good, I imagined doing 2 or 3 more loops. Next loop: Started out good, but I crapped out somewhere on the last half mile. I ended up finishing my drink at the end, walking through the small 'off road' trail and headed back to the car. What happened?!
I think I should have gone in with a clear game plan. None of this "I might run 3. I might run 4. Let's see!" crap. I know unless my limits are set for me ahead of time, 3 miles is about my sweet spot. I can comfortably run 3 with no effort or desire to stop, but if I know I have to keep going I hit my wall later. Also, I'm getting really really comfortable with taking short walk breaks. Too comfortable. I'm not trying to Galloway it. Not that that's a bad thing to do, and I plan on incorporating walks into my half marathon at water stations (or maybe every 3 miles)? I need to figure it out, but I'm not figuring it out very well by taking a walk break every time I kind of sort of feel like it! Hopefully, lesson learned.
Tonight's homework: Actually map out the rest of my plan for this week. Maybe not which work out which days, but a checklist of sorts.
Today: 3
This week: 8
July 39.6 (see?! IF I had done one more loop I would be in the 40s)
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