Stir crazy

I needed to run today or I was going to have to duct-tape my girls to the wall, after being indoors with them all day yesterday. Went to the Y and checked them into kiddie jail there and did 3.5 miles on the treadmill in the relatively cool fitness center. Things are better now, even though it was already 105*F heat index at noon. Whew, close call. Might be able to survive the rest of the day.

Looking forward to swimming under this bridge in Philadelphia in 12 days - should be fun! I'll be testing my lack of running with a 10K race this weekend, first. That should tell the tale of how much my running fitness I have left.

How I racked up another DNF

I stopped after the 12k run today at Blackwater Duathlon. Those folks were tough and fast - at 1 mile into the run (that I hit at 9:59) the other women looked like they were all a half mile or more in front of me! (Only I and one other woman finished the first 12k at a pace slower than 10 min/mile).

It was just too freaking hot for my state of fitness. I couldn't keep my heart rate under 170 and still jog. Too early in the day to race with a higher heart rate than 170, with 40 miles on the bike and 5 miles in the run yet to go. I had to keep dropping to a walk to get the heart rate under control. Started gettting goosebumps. I finished 12k in 1:23 (12:22 min/mile) with each mile dramatically slower than the last (plots to follow if I download them from my Garmin). I found my bike was the VERY LAST in T1. It actually started to go a little bit dark for a moment there in T1.

I figured that I'd have to walk most of the second run in order to finish. I just didn't have the gumption to want to walk the second run for 5 miles.

Instead I opted to ride my bike out (after I recovered a little) and work the last aid station during the run instead. I had MUCH more fun, and helped the other death marchers make it home.

I might have qualified for the World Championships if I had finished - there were only 3 finishers in my division. (And I hear the duathlon World Championships course in Richmond this year is pretty hilly and brutal.)

But that's racing. There's always next year!

Sweaty

Just got back from jogging 5K around the neighborhood in the heat of the day. Heat Index was 89, which was hot but not too terrible, and still mild compared to what I will be racing with on Sunday. If I didn't have that race coming up and need to get a little more heat acclimated, I would have waited to do it in the cool of the day. If it had been longer I would have carried water. I went at a comfortable pace and wore my heart rate meter and checked it often.

Some idiot was out there running in one of those old-fashioned plastic sweat suits. That's INSANE. All that will do is get a person dehydrated and hyperthermic. I know of no legitimate use for them, with the possible exception of training for the Badwater Ultramarathon.

I think I just rolled my eyes a little and said, "Jeez, good way to get heat stroke."

He didn't answer. Probably too close to passing out to talk.

Be careful out there, folks!

It's starting to get hot here in the middle Atlantic seaboard. Today the babysitter arrived at 2PM (after lunch) and I need some heat acclimatization, so that meant I was running in 94*F or hotter heat index.

I was extra careful - I only went out for a 5K jog, and even walked 1/10 mile in every half mile when I drank out of the water bottle I carried.

When I got back inside I was 2.8 pounds lighter than I was first thing this morning. That's equivalent to 43 fluid ounces lost. Even while drinking frequently.

Who said I don't sweat much for a fat girl!!???

Now that's heat stress!!!

Heat acclimatization

Every year I forget how long this process takes.

Today I ran 6 miles around the neighborhood. It was only about 86*F, but it sure felt hotter. (I know, in July I'll be begging on my knees for an 86*F day).

I just kept telling myself how much worse it was going to be on that shadeless, merciless Eagleman course in 12 days from now. And I'd already have 57+ miles in my legs for the day. And 6 miles won't even get me to the turnaround point on the run course.

Yep, that's good training!