I am not dumb. I know it’s much cooler to run before the sun comes up and sometimes I do. Other times, I laze around drinking coffee in my home office doing odds and ends before I realize, SHIT, now it’s hot and I still have to run. I mean…I GET to run. Yep, that’s it.
This procrastinate-til-it’s-stinking-hot scenario happened yesterday. As I was finishing up this 5 mile run and sweating like a pig in heat, I noticed how my pace had slowed in the heat. No duh it had slowed. And some a-hole had put gobs of sand in the only water fountain available.. But I drank from it anyway because I am a risk taker and I like diarrhea.
I remembered I had seen a chart somewhere saying exactly just how much performance deteriorates the hotter it is.
Here it is. I found it for you. Now we can all feel much better about those summertime suck-fest runs. Just in time for fall. Then if your performance is really bad in the fall/cooler temperatures you can feel terrible about yourself, because it shouldn’t be.
So print this out, put it in your shorts and when you are feeling especially demoralized, pull it out (twss). And bring your calculator so you can figure percentages.
Alright, alight. I know it’s not all about pace. I get that. But, pace has been a way I am gauging if I can meet certain goals or not.
Lately on my hottest runs I’ve been wearing my Garmin but not looking at it until the run is over. That’s because if I look at it I cuss. I often do the same thing on trail runs where pace is usually a good 3-4 minutes lower per mile if you are climbing and the terrain is especially rocky.
By the way, this snake encounter happened at one of my most favorite trails, and I was there that day. I am glad I am not 64 and from Wyoming because that is who rattlers like. Apparently.
One last thing. Fuel Belt sent me a care package this week with many goodies to stay hydrated. My favorite new thing (and I’m not just saying this. I only tell you I like something if I REALLY like it) is this handheld (see how I gaze lovingly at it?):
Better view:
Here's why I don’t like handhelds in general. They are annoying. I don’t like holding anything while I run. On the trails I’m afraid I won’t be able to catch myself right if I fall because I have a bottle in my hand. I feel like it messes with my arm swing and will bulk me up on one side and not the other because I can only carry in my right hand. And, what if I have to pick my nose which is also something I only do with the right hand. It gets complicated.
There, I said it. These are my First World Problems about handhelds.
But, every pretty cool trail runner uses one. And being cool is my only priority in this world.
What do I like this one? Because it is small (only 10 ounces) and if I move the strap over my knuckles it says in place. It is light. It kind of melts into the palm of my hand and I almost forget it’s there. Almost. Plus it’s a pretty color and that goes a long way with me. Don’t be jealous of the quality of my pictures.
Obviously with only 10 ounces you can’t use it on super long runs. But if you are racing, it would be a great one to refuel at aid stations or from your crew. If I only had a crew.
Do you run with a hand held? Why or why not? Which one? I also like the one from Orange Mud but it is bigger.
Ever encounter a snake on a run? Yes, last year I actually ran over a rattlesnake and my partner (behind me) came up on it as it was posing to strike. Yuck.
SUAR
