Random Thoughts about a Dead Heat and Swamp Monsters

Thanks to a nasty cold, I hadn’t run in over a week, but with the girls back at school this week, I was ready to get back into a regular routine again.  However, the heat is seriously killing me.  I’m usually one of those people not bothered by the heat, but I’m feeling it now and it ain’t got nothing to do with hot flashes, honey.

Anyhow, yesterday I woke up plenty early to fit in three miles before the back to school chaos.  I braved the heat and finished a sad, slow sweaty three miles.

3.1 miles

Time 33:18

Ave Pace 10:44

Max Pace 7:44

Even in the early morning hours, the humidity clings to me.  There’s no breeze only steam rising from the lakes and the storm drains, which is unbearable.  It’s like a swap monster or storm drain clown is breathing down my neck.

Besides the swamp monsters and storm drain clowns, I’m worried about my running because I haven’t been getting my miles in to be prepared for the Space Coast marathon which is only 13 weeks away.  The farthest I’ve gone is 10 miles and that was weeks ago.

My Garmin must have sensed my anxiety and couldn’t handle the stress and decided to check out.  Like a Monty Python sketch, my Garmin “is NO MORE.  It has ceased to be!  My Garmin is an ex-Garmin!”  But then, as I typed this post, I bumped its charging dock and it seems to be all right now.  I guess the heat is getting to my Garmin too.

A running friend, Larissa, is training for the Savannah Marathon and she mentioned to me the other day that she has been using the Galloway method to survive training in the heat.  She suggested I try it.  Following this method, I would run 3 minutes and walk one minute for recovery.

So, this morning I tested the Galloway method for 4 miles. Well, it was more like “run a mile walk a couple minutes.”  Plus, because I was Garmin-less, I guesstimated the total distance to be about 4 miles, but when I mapped it out on Map My Run, it was more like 4.47 miles.  Whatever.  The bottom line: The Galloway method certainly helped.

4.47 miles

Time 47:00

Ave Pace 10:30

A couple of weeks ago, I was supposed to participate in the All Out Running 5K.  A few days before the event, the race coordinators sent out an email about the trail and included these photos.

Needless to say, I freaked out!  I expected a trail run, not a mud run. And look at the height over those runners!  I guarantee those gentlemen are much taller than little ol’ petite barely 5′ me!   And I’m sure there’s a swamp monsters hiding in those waters!  Not to mention, I hadn’t trained for any swimming and it’s possible I would drown, if a swamp monster didn’t grab me first.

But thankfully, the race gods heard my cries and postponed the race, however, I’m not sure when the new date will be.  At least I have some extra time to work on my breaststroke while preventing a heatstroke.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

2 comments

  1. marathonmom says:

    The 3 digit temps for the last 2 months have killed my running too. I am so ashamed….but lately I have tried to do 3 miles in the evenings. I even bought an elliptical so I don’t have to go back out in the heat to the gym after work! I do a good hour on it but I miss my running. Hoping it cools off everywhere soon!

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