So, today was my “recovery” run of week 6 of ju-ju’s 10k plan - just a little 4K trot. Was out by 6:15am to try and catch the coolest part of the day. Except it wasn’t cool. Humid and 20 degrees. 😓 Every kilometre was a bit of a struggle, and being quite a sweaty runner anyway, I was sweating profusely. I didn’t really enjoy it. There was never a doubt I would finish the run, but it was with gritted teeth.
The wobble: my next run is 9k. I know I can run 9k, but not in this heat. 😕 Sunday is run day, and even if I get out by 6:30am it’s going to be 20 degrees. That’s the coolest we are getting this weekend; it is 20 degrees overnight! I have never doubted I could do a run before and it is messing with my head. Should I put the 10k training on hold until the heatwave passes? I hate having miserable runs, sort of defeats the object for me. Is this gremlins or is this thinking sensible?
😕😕😕
Sadie-sweats xxx
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Well done my favourite running buddy! A run is a run, even if it’s sweaty. I shared your fears about Sunday being warm, hence I did my long run this morning. And if it’s sweaty you’re after, you should have seen the state of the back of my tshirt after this morning’s run 😂
I know the heat is a pain, and I realise it must be a few degrees hotter where you are. Here the canal runs just above the 500ft contour, so it’s usually a little cooler, but still too hot for me.
Just see how you feel on Sunday, and maybe try to plot a route with lots of shade. The shady bits of this morning’s run were pure heaven for me.
Thanks Neil, for your support. x It is not only hot here, but humid, with no breeze – so even in the shade it feels like running through soup. I feel less miserable now. I have a plan. Cold shower before heading out early (I wake up hot to start with, as it is 20 degrees at night!), freeze my water bottle, and just slow the flip right down if needs be...
It was not too bad this morning, about 15 degrees here in Northampton but I know what you mean. There was a point where I thought maybe I could do an extra 1k and push it up to 9k but I changed my mind about that on the final k, I'd had enough and was very pleased to be back at the car to have a drink and sit down
Well done sweaty Sadie!! 😜😘x My next one is 10k and I keep checking temp for this weekend. At the mo tomorrow morning at 6am is winning by 2 degrees compared to Sunday!
I’ve set my alarm already and going to go for it! Doesn’t look like temps are gong to drop anytime soon. Xx
Thanks darling. Since I have started this running malarky the second most used app (after a running tracker) is BBC weather! I am obsessed. Hope your 10k goes well (how exciting!) I cannot wait to hear how it goes. xxx
Firstly well done for getting out early to do your 4K 👏
I’m like you, I sweat profusely and really struggle but with no end in sight with this heatwave, what are we to do? I have a training schedule and I’m doing my long run tomorrow....9mls 😰....I’m running to the Parkrun 5.9mls then the Parkrun itself!
The more I think about it the more I doubt myself but I’m determined to at least have a go!
I’m going to seriously watch my pacing by setting up speed alerts on my Garmin.
You’ll be able to do it Sadie but it will be tough, no shame in the odd walk break you know, especially in these conditions 😎
All the best for Sunday, those robot legs will pull you through 🤗
Thanks dear Ted. I hate the doubting, normally I am a positive sort of chap, so very perturbed when I start with the doubting! Perhaps we should stop thinking about it…!
I hope your long run goes well tomorrow, Ted. You are right, pacing is key. The odd walk break might also be a good idea – going to see how I go!
All the best to you, too! xxx
Haha, love being your running fiend! 👹
I think you should go out as if you are going to do 9k but not feel let down if you don’t. Wear a hat to keep the sun off your head, take a water hydration backpack or water bottle, take energy gels, I haven’t tried it but people say a water soaked buff round your neck helps, pour water over your head or wrists when you get hot. The only part of this I do is carry water and energy stuff (and hat of course), since I’m ok in the heat as long as my head is covered. I personally think you can do this. Pick the coolest time you can, don’t fight the heat or the distance or yourself or you will turn it into an endurance trial. If you can’t you can’t, there will be other days. Don’t halt the plan, just take each day as it comes. The plan is meant to be flexible anyway, it’s YOUR version of the plan adapted to you xxx
Thanks Flick. x All good advice. I am aiming to get out before 7am, so hopefully miss the full glare of the sun. I will of course take water. Have never tried energy gels; don't really like the sound of them. Would a glug of Lucozade before the run help? I always have a banana 45 mins before. I just need to get my mindset sorted, I think. Like you say, it could turn into an endurance trial if I don't! Thank you so much for your kind response. xxx
Energy gels are disgusting and sticky and sickly, but they work like magic. I found when i got lost and did 11k in the heat that I needed them DURING the run. The salted caramel work best, that is they are the least sickly. Or take some kind of electrolyte instead of or in water, as some people on the forum were discussing recently. xxx
Morning Sadie-runs ....I have just had the worst run of the programme so far...my 7k of week 3 & it was really, really tough...I had to pause my tech for 10 seconds while I was under a bridge just to try & cool down so I’ve had a bit of a wobble this morning too...should I wait now & just keep doing short runs every other day like I did before I started the plan...I don’t want to give up now co it’s been going so well so I do t know what to suggest....think we need help from the grown ups...don’t be sad about it though, you still did it xxx
Sorry to hear this MC. Poor us, wobbling! But you did 7k and that is AMAZING! Especially in this heat. And very wise to take a short break when too hot, you did good, lassie.
I am happy I managed my 4k today, but I was so hot this morning that when I finished it I thought to myself "how can I possibly run double this plus 1k on Sunday – sob, wail!" Maybe this is a gremlin speaking. I don't often get troubled by gremlins, so find it very unnerving.
I was pretty set on stopping the plan for a wee while this morning, but now I have calmed down (and cooled down – thank god for office air con), I think I am going to at least try for the 9k – and I think you should carry on too my dear. Honestly, we are doing so well, aren't we? Just maybe slow it down even more…and get out as early as possible. I am going to see if having a cold shower before my run will help, as even early morns I start the run too hot after a night tossing and turning in the heat. Meh.
A..I won’t desert you, I promise..now I’ve had a cold shower & sat in front of the fan I feel a bit better, we are doing so well, I’m proud of us...we’re nearly there, well you are...we can’t let the sun gremlins beat us xxx
You are both amazing and both what I would consider competent, experienced runners. You’ve just fallen prey to the confidence gremlins. If you can’t do it in the heat, it’s the fault of the heat not you, you lovely, special dafties. Ive realised, looking back on my progress through ju-ju- ’s 10k plan, how excellent it is and how it takes you to exactly where you should be. All the milestones, wobbles, doubts and physical hiccups are all par for the course and teaching you. Now I’m in a place where I’m confident that if I go out, I will run, just as I know I will inhale and exhale, eat, sleep etc - and if I don’t feel it on a particular day, there will be a good reason that has nothing to do with me not being up to it. Without the plan (even if I did only do 3/4 weeks of it) I wouldn’t have the experience to judge my day to day runs or the confidence to keep going out there.
Listen to me being all patronising and woman splaining 😂😂😂 with all the experience of having done my first 10k in April LOL XXX
Aw, thank you Flick. This reply has restored some of my confidence. I do think you are right; this is an attack of the gremlins as much as anything. I ran my last 8k with ease, and it was rather warm then. But that was in Norfolk, and there was no humidity. Bloody London gets really humid, and that is when the body has trouble cooling down. But if there is anything this programme has taught me, it is (s)he who dares wins, so i'll give it my best shot, try not to sweat it (although I will be really sweating) and stop when I need to. I have some electrolytes to pop in my water, and I am going to try the wet Buff trick, too! And you were not patronising – I needed the pep talk, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. xxx
I have faith in you too! You will do it. For a start your expectations will be different - it's long, it will be hard, it will take all I've got... whereas the 4K was expected to be the short, easy, recovery run; you're already better mentally prepared for the next run. I sweat like crazy too. Every run I am dripping and bright red for ages after. But. Having run with a friend at a pace which was a good 50% slower than my standard pace I discovered that at that pace I didn't even sweat, I wasn't even red. So, try to slow down, not just a little but a lot. It will take a lot of concentration but it can be done and it uses sooooo much less energy. Good luck. I planned an 8K for tomorrow and am horrified at the forecast 19C by 7am! I also went for my first ever sports massage today -inspired by your post a week or so ago - and now I'm wondering just how achy my calves will be tomorrow morning!!! I hope I make it, we'll see.....
Hi Linda! Thank you for your lovely message of support, much appreciated! I honestly wouldn’t be doubting myself if we had normal temperatures, I don’t think! But I have a plan now - early out, electrolyte drink, wet buff and SLOW! The super slow I find hard, but I am going to really focus on it this time. I could be out for days...😂 It was interesting to hear about your super slow experience, and I take heart.
Ooooh how did the massage feel?! Mine was rather painful. But he did really unkink some tight spots for me and I felt great after! I didn’t ache much the day after, but General advice is to take a day off running after a deep tissue massage.
Ohhh! That would scupper my plans for tomorrow I'll have to go back to my spreadsheet I'm trying to fit things around a race for life in a couple of weeks then going away for a week shortly after. I was hoping to do my 10k by the sea (it won't be all that much hotter than here!) so I'm not sure I have a lot of wiggle room. But ignoring general advice doesn't seem like a very good idea given I keep picking up injuries even when I'm playing by the rules.
And yes. My massage was painful too. I might substitute 'very' for 'rather' ... but that would make me sound like a total wimp
It’s tough making it work sometimes. I have house guests next week and wondering how rude it would be to be out for over an hour in the morning doing my long run, that I have to save for the weekend?! 😱 I always heed general advice as I am terrified of injury given my track record! Google it and see what you think, Linda. x
London is like a ruddy oven I don’t envy you running in that heat. Mind out for energy gels they give some people the squits! Not what you want on a 9k.... Am sure you will do a fab job.... but if something happens and it doesn’t go to plan it’s only cause of the heat and nothing to do with your running excellence! Good luck xx
It is. And it’s starting to make me very bad tempered. I have heard that about the gels, and won’t be going anywhere near them! Have some electrolyte tabs to add to my water instead - my issue is copious sweating and hydration more than energy I think.
You still on the IC with your arse-cheekitis my love? How are you doing?
I am unfortunately... had 2 weeks of lovely running only to cock it all up this week when arse cheek twanged again at 32 mind..... Defo need to see a physio. I have one lined up just need to save up a bit/ get a decent paying job!! 🙄 meanwhile, back in the gym 🙄🙄🙄. So much easier just to run! Until then though I will be happy hearing your fantastic progress. 😊xx
Oh FPF, sorry to hear this. Have you thought about going to your GP to get referred? It might take some time, but if you are having to save up anyway? It is eye wateringly expensive, you pay your tax so use the good old NHS! xxx
I did do that last year for my shoulders/back and 1st physio said run every day ... then saw senior physio who said don’t run at all!!! 🙄😂 I have a lovely lady marathon running physio recommended to me. I can probably see her in August so not toooo long to wait. Then I might be able to catch you up! Well, trail behind with my arms stretched out! 😂xx
Oh lorks. For runners, I suppose it is far better to see someone who knows about their running. You never know what you are going to get in the NHS I suppose. I do hope you get sorted out - but in the meantime the gym is a great idea. You are fab, Fishy, and will soon be catching me up. xx
Tbey didn’t give me the squats but it’s right what she said in Run Like a Girl, about them resembling an adolescents boy’s enthusiastic efforts going all over his hands.
You're doing great. Try not to let the sweating get to you. I had the mistaken belief that the fitter you get the less you sweat... turns out the body just sweats more efficiently... I've gotten used to soaked tops and sports bras I can wring out 😔
Try a headband. Really keeps the dripping into eyes/face down. A running visor is also good keeping the sun at bay. I couldn't possibly wear a hat, my head cooks as it is.
As your cardio fitness improves each (similar) run should require less effort, which in turn will eventually (eventually) turn down the faucet. At least that is what I'm finding.
Electrolytes are great. We buy huge tubs of powder for our cycling hydration packs but the tablets are good too.
I can't swallow the energy gels but the other half swears by them... they just remind me of castor oil that my mother used to force down me! 🤣
Maybe I'll try one at some point. I just feel really hot headed... even in winter I can't bear a hat. The visor is really good though. Keeps sun... and rain out. 😉 we had about 6 drops yesterday 🤣
I don’t mind sweating, JoJo, I just worry about dehydrating in this bloody heat! I think I have blown it all up in my head - but now have my psychological crutch - electrolytes! Thank you for your kind reply - today I am focussing in getting a more positive attitude! I think I just have a touch of gremlins grrrrrr! xxx
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Sorry to hear this MC. Poor us, wobbling! But you did 7k and that is AMAZING! Especially in this heat. And very wise to take a short break when too hot, you did good, lassie.
S2R 12 - a bit wobbly
