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Staying cool on a hot summer run

Okay, that title just doesn’t make any sense.  Not if your hot summer run is in Florida.  Staying cool just isn’t an option, but you can at least make the attempt to stay cool.  But that’s all it will be, an “attempt.”

So, first you attempt to beat the heat by running before the sun comes up or after the sun goes down.  Basically, it will pretty much be dark outside.  Keep in mind, though, that no matter when you run, it will still be hot.  If the weather guy says it will be 76 degrees at 4:00 am, what he really means is that it will be 76 degrees with 90 percent humidity.  Therefore, it will actually feel like it is at least 90 degrees outside.  I did mention 4:00 am right? I suppose you can use your imagination to figure out what it would feel like at noon when the sun is high in the sky.  Sure, it might be less humid at noon, but then you have the sun’s heat to bring the heat index up over 100 degrees.  And you know it’s bad when you check the weather online and see a bright red warning at the top of the screen that recommends you stay inside.

Okay, so around sunset or sunrise and anytime in between is your best option to stay cooler.  I didn’t say you would stay drier, but maybe slightly cooler.  And I know how the wind can sometimes be a burden when it is forcing you to work harder during your run (at least when you are facing the headwind), but you are often thankful of its presence during those hot summer runs.

Water is good to have.  Well, I am sure you know all about staying hydrated, especially when it is hot outside. But who likes to drink warm water when they are trying to get cool?  I often freeze my bottles overnight only to find out that they are already warm by the time I reach mile 2.  I would have to carry a cooler of ice with me! Better yet, leave a cooler or two in a designated area along your course!  For one thing, it gives you something to focus on (yes, our next break will be at the cooler!).  It also gives you ice and cold water.  Who wouldn’t want that at mile 5 of a hot summer run?  The ice goes into my bottles along with the cold water that has been sitting in the bed of ice.  Water has never tasted so good!  Then you grab some ice and rub it all over your body.  You could care less about the people watching you giving yourself a rub down.  I usually stick a few ice cubes under my hat and I am good to go (maybe a few inside my sports bra too).

Well, that bliss doesn’t last long because then all of your ice is melted and you are left back in the sweltering heat.  But wait?  Are those sprinklers on in that person’s yard?  Oh crap, they look so delightful, but then you catch a whiff.  It smells like sulphur and some kind of funk.  Right, those darn sprinklers are shooting out reclaimed water and who knows where it was reclaimed from.  I could care less, but I actually really don’t like the smell and it is bad enough that I walk into the coffee shop later smelling like dirty socks, bad body odor and sweat.  I don’t need to be smelling like someone’s funky butt as well.  Skip the sprinklers, but fountains are fair game.  They are usually chlorinated and smell just like a pool.  Some shoot straight up from the ground so bend over and get that rat’s nest wet so it all drips down your body (I don’t recommend getting your shoes all wet… something about water slogging around your feet while you run just doesn’t appeal to me).  Some fountains you aren’t actually allowed to walk into, but who is going to see you taking a dunk at 5:00 in the morning?

Okay, so we know cold water is a luxury so take it when you can get it.  Then there was something new I tried today.  A freezer pop.  Not just any freezer pop, but an electrolyte freezer pop.  It tasted so delicious at mile 5 and I could feel it cooling my insides almost immediately.  I am definitely going to stock up on a supply of those! (however, you do have to take the advice of setting out a cooler because that freezer pop won’t be frozen anymore if you try to carry it in your fuel belt).

Fountain jumping, ice rubbing, cold water stocking, freezer pop sucking and early rising are some ways to stay (or attempt to stay) cool on a hot summer run.  Any more ideas??

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Running Fashionista

I remember glancing through an article in Runner’s World a couple of months ago.  It wasn’t an article that I actually took the time to read.  I think it was titled “Fastinista.”  Get it…  like fashionista, but fast?  Anyway, it talked about the new fashion trends in running.  It discussed women wearing “sassy and stylish athletic wear” to set personal records while gaining attention.  One of the new trends is the running skirt.  When I see them I can only picture Serena Williams out on the tennis court.

Let me just say that when I am out running on the street I do not want to gain attention.  For one thing, people tend to criticize my running form.  On top of that, I don’t want people looking at any of my jiggling parts.  Then, there is the concern of the tangled hair that looks like a home for a bird.  If I wanted people to look at me then I would wear a big sign on my back that says “Look at me, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

Fortunately for me, I don’t have to worry about finding a date or a soul mate.  I have my man.  I can kind of see how some women may dress up all “sassy and stylish” to lure in an athletic fellow with ripped abs and a nice butt.  Yet, isn’t that what the gym is for?  Most of those runner dudes out on the street are a bit on the skinny side and tend to be shorter in stature (well, I do feel pretty tall when I am waiting at the starting line of a race). I can see how single women at the gym might need those tight yoga pants and strappy tanks and tend to actually add more makeup before they arrive at the gym.   And I suppose the cougars are just looking for some young love.  Sure, I don’t want to look like I buy my gym clothes at a second hand store (wearing someone else’s nasty sweat just doesn’t appeal to me), but I don’t go out of my way to “dress up” when I go out for a run or hit up a class at the gym.

However, for some reason I still don’t understand, the other day I walked into Target and glanced through the clearance rack only to come across a running skirt for $8.   Wow, that’s a steal!  I should just try that on.  Why not?  So, I picked up the skirt and walked into the changing room.  I put it on and looked at myself in the mirror and thought that it looked rather cute.  Then I realized something.  I was trying on athletic wear and calling it “cute.”  It was actually something I thought I should wear for a day out on the town, not while running through town.  I started running in place and wondered how I could tolerate the swishing on my legs. Practicality took over at that point and I placed the skirt back on the rack.  That was silly.

But do not make fun of me if you see me wearing a running skirt someday.  It just might happen…

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10 miles or more…

The team was out running their 7-mile or 10-mile course this morning (distance depends on whether or not they are training for a half marathon or a full marathon), when one participant and myself were passed by three ladies out on their morning run.  They asked us how far we were going and we said “10 miles.”  Then, they asked us if we were training for a full marathon or a half marathon.  I stated that my running partner was preparing to run a half, but training for a full.  Doesn’t make sense, does it?  It just goes to show how remarkably motivated this team is.  They are presented with two training plans and they choose to follow the plan with the most distance involved.  I have no worries about whether or not they will be well prepared for the half marathon that they are planning to run in October.

Sure, today’s run may have actually been even longer than 10 miles, but that doesn’t stop them.  They may complain once in a while that a muscle aches or that the sun is beaming down it’s death rays, but they continue forward anyway.  They know that their pain is only temporary and that is only makes them stronger in the end.  It is unlike the permanent pain that cancer patients and their families endure.  I think they know this and that is why they push themselves.  It is very rewarding to see this type of determination and spirit.  These participants are not only running for themselves, but they are also running for a cause.

I am thankful to be a part of such a remarkable group of people.  I enjoy their silly jokes, playful banter, serious discussions and even their quiet solitude (well, we do spend a lot of time together when we run these long miles).  The experience is not complete without coffee & bagels (okay, sometimes we succumb to the evil donut).

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Serious Runner vs. Recreational Runner

So, whenever I am out running I am always checking out the other runners I pass.  Okay, maybe that doesn’t sound right… for my husband’s sake I will say that I am not drooling over the handsome men who run past me with their shirts off.  By “checking out” I mean that I am assessing their running gear, form & pace.  I kind of feel bad doing so because my best friend recently told me that she doesn’t like running outside because she thinks people are judging her.  I would like to think that I am not being judgmental when I assess other runners… I view it more as a learning process and comparison checker.  Hey, I have admitted many times that I do not have the best form so I will not break down in tears if someone mentions this fact (actually, it has been mentioned by others on more than one occasion so I just roll with the punches).  Best of all, “checking out” other runners keeps me entertained.

Anyway, the other day I was thinking about my observations in terms of serious runners versus recreational runners.  Since I was not making any judgements, I had no way of knowing whether a runner I passed by was a serious runner or a recreational runner.  However, if I could hand them a checklist then I would know.

You might be serious runner if you:  1.  Are carrying some form of hydration and nutrition (usually when I am out running around my neighborhood I am the only one carrying water… therefore, I have to assume that I am running farther than the other runners I encounter, but some people just don’t need a lot of water so who really knows?).  2.  Have no issues running in any weather conditions because you would rather fight mother nature than run on a stupid treadmill.  3.  Are training for a long-ish distance run.  I am sure I might get complaints over this, but I do not consider a 5k a long-ish run.  You can be solely a recreational runner and accomplish this feat (but I will say that you could be on your way to becoming a serious runner).  Additionally, you always have some upcoming event marked on your calendar.  4.  On most of your running days you run farther than 3 miles.  5.  Kick yourself in the rear and drown in disappointment if you do not run a set number of miles per week.  6.  Go for a run when you are feeling a bit crabby, depressed, sick, stressed, disheartened, irritated (okay, you catch my drift) and end the run feeling a whole lot better than when you started.  7.  Are asked by random people if you are a runner because you just look like one (and you are on top of the world when this happens… more so than if someone told you that you should be a model or that you are smokin’ hot).  8.  Wear the proper attire.  Hmm, not quite sure about this one because I see older folks running around in cotton shirts/shorts and they have been running for 50 years.  Maybe I will put it like this: you do all of your other athletic activities (strength training, elliptical machines, spinning, yoga) in your running attire because you really don’t see the reason to own any of those stylish gym clothes.  9.  Run through the pain because you know that it will eventually go away (or get so bad that you finally have to seek medical attention).  10.  Have no issues waking up at 5:00 am on a weekend in order to go for a nice, long run.

Now, on to the recreational runner.  Basically, most of the above list does not really apply to them (one or two items might).  Recreational runners primarily run to stay fit or lose weight (and running is fabulous for both!).  They will most likely walk into the gym and decide to run on the treadmill because they did the elliptical the day before.  They really have no interest in training for a racing event and don’t feel the need to log mileage in some type of computer program.

As long as people are doing my favorite sport, I could care less if they are just running to run or actually running with a goal in mind because it all comes down to the simple fact that running is running.  Now, it can get a bit off the wall when you become obsessive… (but hey, I always say it is better to be addicted to running than addicted to drugs).

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Rain or Shine?

During the summer in Florida, a runner dreams of cloud coverage.  At least this runner does!  And it doesn’t hurt if a little rain accompanies that cloud coverage.  What’s the difference if you walk outside on a sunny day or on a rainy day… you are wet either way!  Oh, I see.  Some of you in the western states have no idea what I am talking about.  It’s called humidity.  I think we pretty much average 90% humidity around here on a daily basis.  Couple that with nearly 100 degrees and you’ve got yourself a really HOT day.  Just yesterday, there was a black flag warning.  Well, that pretty much means that you should stay indoors with the air conditioning on.  Not a chance when you have to get outside to run.

So, the other day, I was standing in my garage with the jogging stroller taking a peek outside.  Lots of clouds. Lots of black nasty clouds.  Some light showers.  However, it wasn’t quite clear when those “light” showers would turn “heavy.”  It could happen any minute around here.  My only hesitation was the kid in the stroller (yes, my kid).  But heck, I had a plastic tarp for the stroller so she wouldn’t get wet.  It wouldn’t be as bad as the previous day when we were out shopping and all of a sudden it started pouring rain and we were not able to make it back to the car without getting completely drenched (there was even a puddle in the stroller when I pulled her out).  And we were actually waiting for my running buddy to pull into the driveway, so I really didn’t have anymore excuses left.  A few minutes later we were both standing there pondering over the question of whether or not to run.  But, it wasn’t a very long discussion because we both knew the conditions were actually ideal running conditions.  And hey, at least the sweat and salt would be washed off our bodies right away.

As we started our journey I looked up and saw a patch of blue sky off in the distance.  However, I was not craving its presence.  At that moment, I was actually happy to be running underneath the clouds.  Considering the soaring temperatures, it actually felt great to feel rain hitting me.  Not only that, but my daughter was flailing her legs in excitement as she watched the water trickle down the tarp.  Another runner’s dream is not to be hindered in how fast you can go.  The heat tends to do that.  Yet, that evening, it was so much easier to pick up the pace and I felt so good when we finished.  That was not the case a few days later when we attempted to run in the morning… 7:00 am is not early enough.  The sun rises in the clear sky and casts its death rays upon you.  My legs only felt like dead weights that day.

So, rain or shine?  When it comes to summer in Florida, I will choose rain any day.