The theme for this week — until the weekend — was unbearable heat and humidity. I am not at all ashamed that two of my runs ended up on the treadmill. Recently a relatively young runner died in a race due to heat stroke. And I saw someone go down right in front of me in Wednesday’s race, too.
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home to share how I handled heat, racing, and training this week.
Workouts update
- Monday: Dogwalk, Speedwork 8 x 400 with 200 recovery on TM (total of 6 miles), PB Total Body (30)
- Tuesday: Dogwalk, Swimming
- Wednesday: Firecracker 4 (and yes, that was it for the day!)
- Thursday: Dogwalk, 4 easy treadmill miles, PB Kettlebell Legs (20 min)
- Friday: Dogwalk
- Saturday: 12 blessedly cool miles, Iron Strength Glutes
- Sunday: Dogwalk disguised as a Short Hike
Mileage: 26 (+1)
JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*
*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links
Running Updates
Monday
With a real temperature of 93F (feels like 106) I am #sorrynotsorryatall that I did my speed work on the treadmill. I just couldn’t get out early enough to beat the heat — well, I did to walk the dogs, which is part of why I couldn’t run early.
Was it tough? It wasn’t as bad as I had made it up to be in my mind. Will it help in Wednesday’s hot & humid race? Nope. Not sure anything really will . . .
Wednesday
This was my fifth year running Firecracker 4 — and the hottest year yet! I went in prepared for a slow race. Rachel @ Runningonhappy had a race plan for me but due to the extreme heat, I ignored it and ran by feel (a wise decision).
A group of my friends goes most years. I was waiting for people to bail, but no one did.
I’ll recap it Tuesday, because yes, I like to tease that way.
Thursday
Today we actually did get thunderstorms — good news being the heatwave is finally going to break — yup, another treadmill run. Four miles I have to admit I wasn’t feeling and they felt oh-so-much harder than yesterday’s four mile race — but got it done!
Saturday
I couldn’t have asked for better weather for my longest run of this training cycle. The heatwave broke, it was cool and dry, and the sun was shining brightly. It was a confidence building 12 mile run — and no taping. I felt a little tightness towards the end, but it quickly dissipated after the run.
I happened to “run” into a Skirt Sister right before the run, who was kind enough to take some photos of me even though she was a little late.
Favorites of the week
The heatwave breaking! It’s going to heat back up, but nowhere near as bad as last week. And the weather this weekend was so beautiful.
We finally booked a room for my 1812 race next month! In fact, we booked two rooms. The first place looks a bit sketchy, but we wanted to make sure we had something. Both have a relatively liberal cancellation policy.
I decided that since I felt I liked the brownie sundae better than the cupcake sundae — don’t get me wrong, they’re both good — that I had to go out and get the brownie sundae to celebrate 12 miles.
I’ve run at the bikepath for many years, but it was only in the last few that I realized there are all sorts of trails around it too. Mr Judy, the dogs, and I got out this morning to explore just a little.
Blog posts that caught my eye this week:
This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.
Let’s get the conversation started:
Do you feel you deserve a reward for a double digit run?
Would you rather swelter than ever run on the treadmill?
Do you have a cut off point for running outside when it comes to the heat?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Yikes on seeing someone go down. I hope they were OK? Extreme heat is nothing to mess with. I’m so glad our weather broke this weekend too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I assume he was ok but I have no idea. I didn’t hear anything dire about the race, though. It was definitely a hot one, which is why I didn’t push myself too hard. And hydrated really well!
LikeLike
This was a tough week for training outside. You and your run crew look happy despite the heat. thanks so much for sharing my Bosu post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I didn’t train outside that much, LOL!
The photo was taken before the race, but I think once we hydrated, we were all pretty happy afterwards, too.
LikeLike
Loved seeing the picture of you and your running friends. It’s fun running a race with a bunch of friends, even if it is hot and humid. And that brownie sundae….!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always fun racing with friends!
I’m seriously not sure I needed the brownie sundae — I didn’t really eat as well for recovery as I usually do.
But I sure enjoyed every bite (my half, that is).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ice is really the only thing that sends me to the treadmill. I run in the heat just slower and with lots of walking.
You really got lucky with the weather for your longest run. Hope you have the same on race day.
I reward myself for all my weekend runs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I go extraordinarily lucky saturday! Unfortunately Boise looks to be hot. Much hotter than I anticipated. Of course it’s way to early to tell, which makes packing nearly impossible, and I’m counting on the dryness and the elevation to make it ok.
LikeLike
Downhill hill race. You’ll do great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great group of running friends you have for support! Firecracker 4 sounds like a fun way to celebrate the holiday. Great job toughing out that heat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Firecracker 4 is always a ton of fun & we were all glad we didn’t bail!
LikeLike
So impressed with your training for this race! I’m sure you’re going to do very well. I hope the heat stays away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to admit the fact that Boise is almost in the triple digits every day is a little frightening . . . who knew I needed to heat training for ID?
LikeLike
Look at you doing 12 miles! So proud of you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I kind of felt like I didn’t train that hard (although I did) this cycle — there were 4 double digit runs, after all.
Remember, this is all folding into my 18 miler training, too!
LikeLike
If I was running I probably would have done a few runs on the treadmill last week as well – it was just way too humid outside. I think that sometimes we underestimate what working out in the heat and humidity can do to our bodies. I heard about the running that died in a race last week – so so sad.
Congrats on your 12 miler – that’s awesome! And I love that you celebrated with a brownie sundae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a tricky balance running in the heat. Hard to know where to draw the line, sometimes — good thing I’m a person who likes to hydrate!
LikeLike
The heat is always tricky. I’m trying to do as many runs as I can outside, but the weekends have been tough. I don’t normally take cold showers, but I did after my Saturday run, and it felt great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The heat IS tricky, especially when it’s not like TX, where you know it’s going to be hot all frickin’ summer. It’s hard when it comes & goes like it does up here.
LikeLike
I saw someone go down from heat in a race too, it’s always really scary when that happens and definitely puts things in perspective. I’m glad the heat broke and it was a bit cooler this weekend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, it *was* cooler. 🙂 Actually, while it’s heated up a bit again, nothing like last week.
LikeLike
I’m sure the cooler weather for your long run was a relief! When I lived in TX, during the summer I ran either early morning or after dark. Even so, I’m sure I’ve run in at least near-100 degree weather before. I also feel like I swelter just as much on the treadmill – I’m not sure my gym has A/C, and at least outside there’s a breeze. Some days the only solution is a cold shower afterwards!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I lived in TX, I wasn’t a runner. 🙂 But I was a walker — and that is actually when we got the treadmill — so I could walk inside on those really hot days (aka all summer).
I am so happy that I have a treadmill at home. And it’s on our first floor, which stays very cool.
LikeLike
Thank goodness for breaks in the weather on long run days! I’ve been doing workouts in the park and love when the temps dip down a little – makes a BIG difference!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a lot of back & forth weather. I won’t complain about it, it’s better than relentless heat!
LikeLike
Well done for getting those runs done. The gym I go to is even hotter than outside so no treadmills for me (however the weather is a bit milder). How unnerving to see someone go down in front of you – and you never do find out what happened, do you. I hope it didn’t knock you too much to see that. Hope the weather stays cooler for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely wouldn’t be on a treadmill if it wasn’t cool inside!
There was another (much cooler) race where someone collapsed, but we did hear what happened ultimately.
I’ve not idea what happened to this gentleman. I’d guess him to be my age or older.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, must have been scary seeing someone go down in a race! Hope the person is alright! Great that the heatwave broke for your 12 miler! I’m not sure what my cut off point is for running in the heat. I’m not a TM fan and I usually run in the morning when it’s cooler. But heat and humidity kills me since I’m not used to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Luckily we don’t get humidity all summer, but it can get nasty here & there.
LikeLike
I’ve seen a few people go down in hot races (Mobile, Nashville, PCB) and it always unsettling. Really, it could be any of us. Thank goodness you had great weather day for your long run and could end your training on such a high note. You’ll do great at the race. Thanks for linking!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oops, somehow missed this one. The heat has been ridiculous and I’m with you on indoor speed training. While I prefer the outdoors, sometimes climate control is just way better
LikeLiked by 1 person