Sunday, September 24, 2017

Running Hot

You wouldn't know it by the weather but fall has arrived. I'm going to sound like the old timer that I am, but I don't ever remember it being this hot this time of year. The temperatures have been in the 90s all week, smashing records every day. The humidity is trying to keep up with those temperatures. I know you southern folks are all laughing at us, but we northerners are just not accustomed to these conditions this time of year.

It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. I'm just astonished--and it isn't just our weather that gives me pause. Terrible hurricanes, earthquakes...it's like the world is coming to an end or something! Wasn't that supposed to happen on Saturday? If you're reading this, we are all still here and still roasting and running. Runners don't stop just because Mother Nature has lost her mind.



Monday and Tuesday, I was downtown in Chicago, attending the American Academy of Pediatrics conference. I left the house at 5:15 and returned home by 6:30. No, there wasn't any running those days. I took the train and did a lot of walking. I was really pleased to see that I walked 5 miles each day, even though I spent a lot of my time sitting in lectures. Commuting is a workout.


Wednesday, I went to the yoga studio for a much needed class, with an emphasis on twisting. Overall, I felt really good when I left, but there was one activity she had us do which sent red flags up for me. We were in a lunge position, with the back foot on a blanket and she had the class sliding that back leg back and forth. No, no, no, screamed my brain. Danger, danger! I didn't do that particular activity, deciding that a twisted knee would not be a good thing. I substituted back lunges instead.


Thursday was my birthday--yes, I'm in a new age group this year--and I first went to CrossFit to work out with Steph. Sammy Jo had us do front squats this time, along with other assorted fun! After our session, I headed to the pond for 5.5 easy miles in the heat. By 3 miles, I was ready to call it quits. It was miserable out there. I couldn't quit though. I had to do my birthday run. I mean, what would I post on social media otherwise? Ha!


Clearly, we weren't working hard enough!
Steph and Cathy joined me for an 8 mile run on the bike path early Saturday morning. There were no run/walk intervals, which was good. My head is getting too used to them! The temperature started to rise as we ran and the last 2 miles were tough on Cathy and me. Steph, on the other hand probably could have run a marathon. She was running like the wind! I was glad for the company and the push.

Sunday was just as tough. I did a shakeout run, 4 miles, and gratefully utilized my run/walk intervals. About a month ago, Steph and I had discussed running the Chicago Half Marathon which was held this morning--I am so glad we never committed to it. It had to be tough out there, running on Lake Shore Drive in the bright sunshine and heat. Instead, I thought about my friends Marcia, who today ran the Berlin Marathon after almost not getting there, and Holly and Teresa, who yesterday rode a "century"--100 miles, actually they rode 103 miles--in the heat and humidity of Alabama. I am so proud to be a part of this group of badass old ladies!


Speaking of inspirational, have you seen the National Geographic documentary Breaking 2? Saturday afternoon was just too hot to do anything outdoors, so in between getting caught up on blogging stuff, I watched the video. It's well done and worth the watch. If you don't remember the story, last year Nike trained 3 elite marathoners to attempt to break the 2 hour barrier for the marathon distance. Lots of science went into this attempt and I found it fascinating. I knew the outcome but I was rooting for Eliud Kipchoge to win because he comes across as such a nice, down-to-earth guy. He talks about running with a group and how important teamwork is to his success: "100% of me is nothing compared to 1% of the whole team."  Of special interest to me was the involvement of Phillip Skiba, a sports medicine physician from where I work. Another really nice guy, I wish he had an interest in studying 55 year old post-menopausal runners with RA instead of world-class marathoners...

How was your week? Hot by you as well? Ever been to a class where you weren't comfortable with what was being taught? Have you seen the documentary Breaking 2? Who inspires you?

I'm linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap!



68 comments :

  1. This heat is seriously oppressive. I'm thinking about rearranging my schedule this week just so I don't have to run in the middle of the morning when it's scorching.

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    1. I went at 8 this morning and it was already too hot. Run/walk intervals for the win!

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  2. This heat is really confusing me! Especially because when I started running again at the end of August it had been getting cooler. I can't believe this is the last week in September and its still been so warm.

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    1. I keep saying the same thing! I don't ever remember it being this hot in September.

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  3. I feel your pain about the weather. And yes I am complaining. This weather needs to go. I ran the 5k this morning instead of the half marathon and am glad I did. One of my coworkers told me about the Breaking 2 documentary and I plan to watch it one of these days.

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  4. Yup, this week was definitely "running hot". I'm hoping that Mother N shows us some love and brings Fall weather to us very soon!

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  5. Happy birthday to you!! We had the same heat wave. I can't deal with this weather any more. I hope that after this cold front moves in we will land back in the start of fall and stay there! Great week of workouts!!

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  6. Good call on avoiding that yoga move! Sometimes I modify the OTF workouts, but they encourage that anyway. I sure hope fall arrives before the Chicago Marathon -- and before ^^my^^century ride next weekend. Happy birthday and anniversary - what a great week for you!

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  7. Hope you had a great birthday! Those ladies in your new AG better look out!!! :) I would think that move you described is not meant for everyone and yes you could easily hurt your knee or groin area.

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    1. I was glad I knew to avoid it (and it wasn't a yoga move anyways) but I worried that someone would hurt themselves.

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  8. I forgot about the Breaking 2...I need to find that. Is it on Netflix, by chance? Yes, we have the same July-like weather in Iowa. I actually am enjoying it, but I didn't get to experience it the first go-round LOL ;-)

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  9. Happy Belated Birthday! It was hot and humid here as well this weekend. Definitely does not feel like fall weather.

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    1. We should get relief by Wednesday. Next weekend looks like fall.

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  10. I didn't know that about Saturday. I just went out there and did my run, to get back on schedule. My recovery week is done.

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  11. I have been stalking Chicago weather since the marathon is only 2 weeks away and I am freaking out!! Please tell Chicago to cool down!!

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  12. Great job in that heat! Hope you had a great birthday! Always nice to get in a new age group. The Breaking 2 documentary sounds interesting.

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    1. These older age groups are kind of a double edged sword! Because it means: older!

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  13. I remember watching Breaking 2 when it was on tv. They are crazy fast. It'd be interesting to see the documentary! Great job in the heat! We had cooler weather last week but it's going to get hot again for us this week (back in the 90's).

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    1. I really enjoyed the documentary. I can't believe how fast those guys are. And they make it look effortless!

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  14. I'll be an old timer and say the same thing with you - I don't ever remember it being this hot so late in the season. It's crazy! I watched the Nat Geo documentary too. C-R-A-Z-Y awesome! :)

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    1. We are supposed to get a break in the heat in a couple of days. I won't lie--I'm looking forward to it!

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  15. SO SO SO HOT UP IN HERRE IN AUSTIN TOO.
    And me? Im all about the substituting those kinds of stuffs in yoga too.
    Ill leave em for the young whippersnappers :-)

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    1. Yoga isn't supposed to hurt you--I don't understand that move she wanted us to do at all.

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  16. I'm with you on the hot weather! I want my cool fall temps back :-((((
    And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and congrats on a new age group - how fun!!

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    1. I'm not sure if the 55-59 age group classifies as "fun"....but thank you! :p

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  17. The heat is insane, and I've been trying to be super careful because of it. Aka lots of inside time, lol. I love twists in yoga--probablly my favorite!

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  18. Mother Nature has lost her mind! You had a great week despite her madness. I've got to check out that documentary.

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    1. I'm pretty happy with how my runs went in spite of the heat. What's a runner to do?

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  19. I've def been there with a class before. Best to listen to your own body!

    It's been really hot here too, but I'm just trying to soak it up. I'm sure plenty of cold weather is coming!

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  20. I actually love this summer weather, and don't even mind it when it comes to the running. However, if it could cool off just for the marathon, I'd appreciate that, and then it can return to the summer like weather.

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    1. It just feels wrong to be this hot so late into the fall! I know I'll regret saying this, but I'm ready for it to cool off.

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  21. Those birthday runs get harder and harder, and the heat sure doesn't help - but woohoo for hitting 5.5 on your special day! Happy Happy Birthday. :)

    Also, I'm so over this heat. We are still having 90+ degree days. Boooooooo.

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  22. I guess I had been under a rock I did not know anything about the world coming to an end...I think maybe I would have skipped out on the long run since I wouldn't need it ha! This weather is quite astonishing to say the least! I'm not going to laugh at yall with this unseasonably warm weather cause it will come back to bite me in the butt when i gets cold. I can not deal with freezing temps for very long!

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    1. I don't love the freezing temps either, but a little moderation would be nice!

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  23. I will take all the heat we can get! It will be cool and dreary for a long time.

    My running friends inspire me. Right now I have a few friends training for ultras and running all the miles, they are amazing!!

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  24. Wow what a good week, especially with the hot weather! And happy birthday for Thursday, congratulations :)

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  25. It was 48 here on Saturday morning and I was in shock. It didn't last, we are back to typical So Cal "Fall" = Santa Ana winds with high temps/low humidity and high fire danger.

    It was breezy and warmer yesterday morning but I finally ran 4 miles without IT band pain. #winning

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    1. Yay to no ITB pain! That is the worst, most stubborn injury ever!

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  26. Happy Birthday... I hope the celebrations are continuing!

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    1. Thank you! Things have kind of wound down for now, but we've got some more celebrating coming up.

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  27. YOU inspire me, Sista! Badass old ladies unite!! We baked for so long in Saturday's heat that I turned down water skiing. Turned.it.down. Who am I? Congrats on the new age group! Thanks for linking.

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    1. You are a centurian. I think skipping water skiing was probably, and I mean probably, ok for that day. The way things are going, weather-wise, you'll probably get a few more chances this season!

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  28. Definitely hot. That's too bad that he doesn't study menopausal 50 something runners. :)

    The weather has definitely been extreme & I believe in global warming for sure, but still ... not my area of expertise. Sometimes you do just get extreme weather.

    I'd be happy for mild winters & summers, I won't lie!

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    1. I'm pretty sure this is beyond extreme weather. Moderation would be a-ok with me.

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  29. The heat and humidity have been beyond oppressive. Thankfully it looks like ti will start to cool off starting next weekend. I'm not sure I'd make a marathon in this weather.

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  30. Yup, it's hot here. And we had that fun hurricane, too. I'm ready for winter.

    I've been to a few classes where I wasn't up to the activity. I just mention my concerns to the coach or modify quietly to something where I'm more comfortable. I know my body enough to know when something will end in disaster, and i'm not willing to risk it.

    It looked like you had an awesome birthday!

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  31. Hard to believe it was so hot in Chicago! Over the weekend in Denver it didn't get out of the 50s with rain. Hoping the cooler weather finds you soon!

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    1. It was another record hot day today, but I think this is it for a while. I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad!

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  32. It's crazy hot even in Minneapolis! Fall has GOT to arrive soon...

    Strong week still getting things done!

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  33. It's hot even for Virginia right now. I'm so tired of temps in the 90s with crazy humidity. Bring on fall, please.

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  34. Awww, thanks for the shoutout Wendy and all the support for our little 103 mile trek ..we certainly needed it and felt it!

    Oh yeah, it's hot. It's just hot every-damn-where!

    I, often times, adjust and/or modify certain moves in a group class if I think it could cause injury. I'm too old to take those chances anymore! :)

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    1. You guys just amazed me! We are a bunch of crazy old ladies and I love it!

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  35. I'd be happy to run a marathon in 4 hours! 2 hours? Mind blowing.

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