No such thing as a bad run ...

[Herbal-T]

... that's my new theory, and I speak as someone who has done 15 'bad' runs in a row since I graduated just before Christmas.

So here's the story. It's summer where I live, and the humidity is my enemy, so every run since Christmas (bar two) has been a struggle. Some mornings, the humidity has been over 85%, and that is enough to have sweat pouring down my face and into my eyes so that I can't see, and literally splashing off my hands and elbows. Nothing can evaporate, so instead of getting cooler, sweating just makes you wetter and more dehydrated and distressed. My hands swell up, and I have to leave a towel on the front verandah or I make slippery puddles through the house once I get home. It can take up to a couple of hours to cool down.

I knew this would happen, so I have been seeking out as much shade as possible and VERY slowly plodding through my 30 mins 3 times a week in the early morning, and then working hard to replace the fluids before my next run. I have had no expectations beyond 30 more minutes in my legs, so have not measured distance/pace. My aim has been simply to survive, so that I maintain my fitness until the weather gets more civilised - hopefully some time in March.

But here's the strangest thing. Despite struggling through every kilometre and finishing every single run feeling pretty awful, I have actually been getting fitter. This morning the temperature was only in the mid 20s, and humidity only around 60 per cent (so sweat just dripping rather than pouring off elbows!), and I felt like I could have run forever. I did 38 mins (within the 10% rule!). Out of curiosity, I have just plotted my route on map my run, and got a big surprise - just over 6km.

So I am still a long way from setting any world records, but I am very happy to be feeling comfortable at that pace, when just over 4 months ago, running for 3 minutes seemed a bit daunting!

I think that the moral of the story for me is that even if a run feels like a huge struggle, it is still a run, and it still counts for something in the bigger picture.

... and of course this forum has been a huge inspiration - whenever the gremlins suggest staying home in front of the fan, a quick peek on here keeps me focussed. Happy running everyone!

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Huge, huge well done.

I am in awe how you run in such heat and humidity! I don’t think I could do it. You have true grit my forum friend.

I think you do right, run 30 mins if you can, but as you say, every run is miles in the tank, so building running legs.

The only records we need to beat are those we set for ourselves .

Thank you for a really inspiring post runner!

[Herbal-T Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you Millsie-J. I am of course in awe of everyone managing to keep up a training regime through the ice and snow (although sometimes I am jealous!)

[misswobble Graduate]

Marvellous post! You kept plugging away and got fitter 💪👍. Well done for sticking with it in less than ideal circumstances. Better weather in the offing for us all hopefully 😃

[Herbal-T Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble - yes, I think we are all looking forward to a change of season!

[Hidden]

I am not sure I would have had so much grit and determination. Really well done and you are inspiring (as well as perspiring)

[Herbal-T Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You have made me laugh helenwheels - I like a bit of a poem!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Great post. I find heat terrible to run in, so I salute you.

You have 100% the right attitude. Here we get winters of ice, snow and temperatures that can drop to -30C. So for me, winter running expectations are totally different from summer running expectations.

Whenyou're dealing with extremes, you celebrate getting out there, no matter how fast or how long. Every run in those conditions makes you feel like a hero and just shows how determined you are.

The special bonus is that once temperatures are more tolerable, you'll be amazed at your running progress from all of those tough runs in the bank.

[Herbal-T Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thanks runswithdogs - although it sounds like your weather challenges are much more significant than anything I face round here! Nothing heroic about me getting out there (I get passed by dozens and dozens of runners), but it has been a bit of sheer bloody-mindedness in not wanting to lose the fitness I had gained through the program.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Yep - only "practice" and "success" runs

[Herbal-T Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish-John, I agree - although I have also had a few 'thank goodness that's over' runs!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Herbal-T]

LOL 😂