Slow, Hot Summer Running
Happy Friday! I'm so excited the weekend is almost here.
For some reason, this week has gone exceptionally slow, and I've been itching for the weekend to get here since Monday. I have super exciting plans for a long run and some softball. Man I live such a thrilling life!
You know what else has been going slowly lately?
My runs.
It pains me to look at Garmin and see how slow my times are this summer.
I know it's just because of the heat and the humidity and that when fall rolls around and we finally get some relief from this weather, my normal running times will return. But it's still frustrating.
Take Wednesday's run for example. The training schedule called for six miles with two at marathon pace. The plan was to use the first two miles as a warm up, hit marathon pace for miles three and four, and then cool it down easy on miles four and five. Sounds easy enough, right?
The first two miles went OK. They were slow, so, so slow and it was so humid, but I got through them.
Then came the speedier miles. I felt like I was pushing with every ounce of energy and effort in my body, and I was struggling to maintain a 9:09 pace. I somehow managed to get those two miles to clock in on pace, but I had nothing left when I was done.
You would have thought I just flat out sprinted for two miles, I was so gassed.
I tried to keep shuffling my feet forward in mile five, but I eventually had to stop and walk. I was pretty much gasping for air and my legs were toast and couldn't handle the hills. Mile five clocked in at like 11:11.
The last mile wasn't so bad since there were some nice downhill sections, but overall this run was just brutal.
It amazes me that just a few months ago, I was able to break two hours in the half by running faster than a 9:09 pace for 13.1 miles, and this week, it nearly killed me to run that pace for two miles.
Happier running times
I know this is a fact of life with summer running, and I know I'm not the only one it's affecting. But man am I ever ready for fall.
Better running weather, tailgate season and football...lots and lots of football!
Only three more weeks til I'm reunited with my tailgate crew!
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5 comments
I know I am just a beginner at the long run thing, but I have noticed that my run times are significantly slower with the humidity than ever before!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait until the fall weather rolls in and my times improve!
Girl - I am SOOOO with you. I feel so freaking slow that I have just stopped paying attention to time period. You just can't when it gets so brutal. It's 84 degrees at 5:30 am and 80+ percent humidity. It's going to affect your run. Just keep in mind that you're keeping up the running and in the fall it'll be amazing!
ReplyDeleteOf course, Raleigh in June is an ideal time to race. I really think you should come down for ironman 70.3 raleigh. step up your game and join the party. It's not going to be nearly this hot then.
ReplyDeleteYour speed will come back in the fall. Cooler, more dry days are ahead. it will be pleasant and fast.
don't be down on yourself! 6 miles is an accomplishment I've been only able to run that once! (:
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely slowed down recently. During my training for my first half (just a few weeks ago), I found my pace slowing...it was aggravating, but I figured out that the weather was NOT ideal. Everything felt heavier, and I know that's normal. I hear it all the time! I can't wait for fall running. Chin up...crisp air, cool temps...they're coming!
ReplyDelete