Heat Shmeat...#2

When I first started blogging I wrote an entry about running in extremely hot weather...click here to read that post. At the time, I was only doing 3-3.5 mile runs. I was just starting out with my training. I've progressed and today my plan was to go 6. I had to cut it short because I was feeling pretty terrible. I ended up with 5 miles. I ran a good pace despite the heat and humidity, but today was the first day where the urge to stop running was unbelievably strong. I did not enjoy that feeling. I so badly wanted to walk. I was running with a friend, and that was probably what saved me from stopping. We finished 5 in 42:45, but it was far from fun.

I have ran in extremely hot conditions many times in the short amount of time I have been training and I ran in the heat back in the day (high school). I think there is a difference between doing something because it will make you stronger and doing something that is crazy. For us runners, I don't think anyone would call me outright crazy for running in this weather, but some people might. I listen to my body and I know when enough is enough. A part of why I enjoy being an endurance athlete is the feeling of being strong and pushing through the pain and the desire to give up. It gives me a sense of accomplishment that fuels me to continue. Endurance athletes regularly have to man-up, or in my case, woman-up in order to get better and gain the elusive endurance that we all seek.

Just like the article I wrote a while back about running in the heat, I am very glad that I completed the run today and I am a stronger runner because of it. I won't forget what running in the heat is like and when I am near mile 9, 10, 11 and so on in my race on November 5th, I will be grateful that it is not above 90 degrees and humid.

I am a firm believer in the statement: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
I am also a firm believer in the Bible verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

When I put it that way, bring on the heat!