IT'S A CRUEL, CRUEL SUMMER

It has always been my steadfast policy to never complain about the heat or humidity in any of my postings on dailymile or Facebook.  This seems to be a common theme of my running friends, but I refuse to join in.  It is Florida people…it is summer people…deal with it!

That being said, I’ve decided to dedicate this blog to piss-and-moan about just how hot it is out there.

Although there are races scheduled throughout the entire year, you would be hard pressed to find anything longer than a 5K scheduled during the summer months (especially in the south).  Although the majority of races begin between 6am and 7am, it’s still too hot and humid for competitive racing conditions.  With that in mind, the “unofficial” race season typically starts in October, and runs (no pun intended) through April.

In years past, I have used the summers to do most of my intensive training for my upcoming races.  My philosophy was that if you can run through the extreme heat of the summer, you would be totally prepared to run in milder weather conditions of fall and winter.  In fact, I would actually start out running around 10am, trading the intense heat for the extra sleep.  It worked out pretty well, although I finished up pretty late (which ate up a good portion of the day).  However, something happened two summers ago that changed everything for me.

My best guess is that the ozone layer just totally fell apart.  I can remember running on one particular Saturday, and could not believe how brutal the heat was.  I had to cut the run short, which is something I very rarely do.  When it happened again the next week, I knew I needed a new game plan.  I actually started setting the alarm to get up earlier in the morning in an effort to beat some of the heat, but it only helped marginally.  Running as much as I could before the sun came out was the best option, but it really takes commitment to set your alarm for 5am on a Saturday to go out and run; fortunately, I have that kind of commitment.  The early runs have helped in terms of avoiding a total beat down from the sun, but the humidity does you in as well.  I have found myself gasping for air, but my heart rate is not accelerated.  The air is so thick, it’s just been impossible to push myself more than 17 miles on any given day.

Hydration of course is another issue.  I carry two 24 ounce water bottles on my belt, but of course that’s not enough fluid.  Many runners will go out in their cars before their runs and stash drinks in the bushes along their routes.  I am fortunate, as I run past my mother-in-law’s condo around the 10 mile point of my run.  She hooks me up with a couple of bottles of Gatorade and a bucket of ice water.  I also take my gels every 45 minutes, and my Endurolytes every hour.  I’m sure they help, but there are some days that it’s all I can do to finish the runs.

I have had to rethink my training strategy for the summer months.  I have been running more after work, which doesn’t seem to be as humid.  I’m not a big fan of running at the end of the day, but it’s a great way to escape the heat.

Not that I’m complaining…

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FALLING FOR YOU

Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that make you happy or motivate you.  As silly as this may seem, getting a new running shirt or a new running belt can get you “jacked” for your next run.

I had just received an early Father’s Day gift from Glenda…a Garmin Forerunner 305 running watch.  Among some of the features of this watch include reading a satellite as you run, monitoring your heart rate, and allowing you to run with a virtual partner (which is good if you’re a “lone wolf” like me).  When you are finished, you can upload your data to your computer, Garmin’s website and/or dailymile.  This allows you to share your routes with other people, and helps you keep better track of your training.

I already have a Garmin Forerunner 201 running watch, which is the equivalent of the Zack Morris cell phone.  It can’t upload your data because it’s so “old school,” but it serves my purposes nevertheless.  Lately, it’s been acting squirrely, and I wanted to replace it before it totally freaks out on me.

I decided to christen the watch this past Wednesday night.  I was about one mile into my run, and decided to take a brief moment to admire my new prized possession.  Then...out of nowhere...FUMBLE ALABAMA!!! I was doing the tango with the pavement. After a quick blood transfusion, I was back on my feet running strong. In all the years I've been running, this is only the third time I’ve gone rumbling, bumbling & stumbling.  Coincidentally, that is the same number of times I watched Pam fall during the Croom 50K last year.

Just sayin'.

P.S. No watches were harmed during the making of this blog.

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GUMBO LIMBO GREEN TURTLE GALLOP 10K - 4/3/2011

I know what you all are thinking.  A 10K???  REALLY???  REALLY???

I hadn’t entered a race since the marathon in Gainesville this past February.  Now that my foot was completely healed, I was “jonzing” for a race with some sustenance.  With spring now sprung, warmer temperatures usually produce shorter races.  There is a half marathon in Pensacola I could have entered (Pam & Jen signed up for this race), but that’s quite a schlep…even for me.  There was a half marathon in Port St. Lucie last weekend, but the course didn’t look that appealing, considering I would have to drive about two hours to get there.  My next best option would be to enter a 10K.

The Gumbo Limbo Green Turtle Gallop took place at Spanish River Park in Boca Raton.  I have run this course many times before, and I enjoy it very much.  The race begins right in front of the park on A1A.  After about two miles, you run into a residential neighborhood with old houses that are worth in the upwards of a million dollars.  You circle through, back out onto A1A, and finish out doing a lap in the park.

As I entered this race into my dailymile calendar, I noticed that a few other runners using this social media site had entered as well.  I extended a friend invitation to some of them, and we agreed to look for each other during the race.  I was excited about the prospect of actually bonding with someone at a race not named Pam, Jen or Elaine.

I did a 12.6 mile run the day before, and was pretty tired when I woke up at 4:45 on race day.  There were 602 entrants in the race, which is a very nice crowd for an event now in its second year.  I started out pretty quick (for me at least), but I got very tired two miles into the run.  I was able to suck it up and finish strong, but not really the time I was hoping for.

After the race was over, I spotted my new running buddies Elizabeth, Damaris and Michelle.  We spoke for a while, and they all told me they enjoyed the award winning documentary “I Am a Runner,” which is currently playing on my dailymile page.  It also turns out that Michelle works at FIU with me, and I went over to speak to her today.  We made tentative plans to run on Wednesday night with the Gold Coast Runners Club.

Look at me being sociable…Pam would be so proud.

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SPRING BREAK…IT’S DAY & NIGHT

Ah…Spring Break.  It’s a time to reflect on what’s really important in life.  No school…No studying…  Going to the beach every day…Watching (or participating) in wet tee shirt competitions.  For me, Spring Break means only one thing: more time to run!

Although FIU was officially open during spring break, I took a few days off to spend time with Rachel (and to run…of course).  Having the opportunity to go out and run during the week, either early in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon, was a great way to catch up on all of those extra miles I missed while I was waiting for the swelling in my foot to go down.  In total, I was able to run a little more than 36 miles. 

The key here is running during the day.  I have always had a very difficult time motivating myself to run at night.  I’m not talking about running in the dark…I’m talking about running after I get home from work.  I don’t mind getting up über early to run.  In fact, I have been known to roll out of bed at 4am on weekends during the summer to beat the heat.  Since I typically get up at 5:30 to go to work, the morning run is virtually a no go.  I’m usually home by 5pm, so the time to complete a leisurely 8 mile run is not an issue.  I simply cannot embrace the run at the end of the day.

I run in the morning because I look forward to it; I run at night because I’m obligated to do it.  I would have hoped my mindset would have changed after all of these years.  Any and all suggestions are welcome here. 

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TOO MUCH REST FOR THE WEARY

The healing process is going slower than I anticipated.  After my visit to the doctor (the day after the 5 Points of Life Marathon), I figured there would be no recovery run during the week.  I was planning to put in 10 to 12 miles on Saturday, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up.

When Saturday rolled around, my foot was still pretty swollen.  Rather than prolong this injury, I decided not to run.  I FELT LIKE A CAGED ANIMAL!!!  No running for an entire week…right off the heels of back-to-back marathons!  I didn’t know what to do with myself.  The plan at this point was to put in a run or two during the next week.  I figured a couple of three to five mile runs would be a good start to get back into the swing of things.

As the week went on, the foot was still pretty sore, and I didn't get to run at all.  It was getting better, but not at any kind of acceptable rate for me.  My brother came by on Friday night and took a look at the foot.  He was pretty sure that it was just bruised, but did not rule out the possibility of a stress fracture.  If I were still experiencing pain in the upcoming weeks, the game plan was to get an x-ray on the foot.  I told him that I was planning on running tomorrow (Saturday), and that I would call him with an update.

My goal on Saturday morning was to do anywhere from 14 to 17 miles, although I knew it would probably be closer to 14.  It’s amazing just how much not running after two weeks can set you back in your training.  The foot felt good while I was running, but it hurt whenever I had to stop (crossing the street, going to the little boys’ room, etc.).  It felt great to be back out there pounding the pavement, but 14 miles was a good distance for my first day back.  I iced down for a long time after the run and was limping a little bit for the rest of the day.

The good news is that my foot has been getting progressively better during the week, but of course not fast enough for me.  I’m thankful that my run on Saturday did not set me back, but I decided not to push myself.  I took off the rest of the week, and will look to put in a 17 mile run on Saturday.

Next week is Spring Break for both FIU and for my daughter.  I’m planning on taking a few days off, and I’ll resume a full running schedule during the week (translated…making up for lost time).

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PHOTOS FROM 5 POINTS OF LIFE MARATHON

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PHOTOS FROM DONNA

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