Before I was a runner heatwaves were great. Perfect days for sitting outside a pub and investing heavily in my local brewery!
It’s not the sun, it’s me… I’ve changed. We are no longer in a relationship but it stalks me still and it’s annoying!
I’ve read a lot online about how the British can’t handle the heat… this is on first glance a true observation of us. I have in the past sat watching a 30 minute weather bulletin while sat in a Texan hotel room, laughing to myself that it really doesn’t need 30 minutes to tell me it’s going to be 90-95 and dry every day! The thing is, when I first arrived there I spent a lot of time stood under a cold shower when I got in from work… and then I loved the fact that there was air conditioning everywhere. A couple of weeks later though and walking around town was pretty much the same as here. If I’d been a runner then I would have been happily running in that heat… and after a couple of months away, returning to a British summer I felt cold.
The issue we have here is it’s not this hot for long enough to acclimatise… and that makes my favourite activity tough. I don’t do any long runs, I slow down from snail pace to that of one with severe asthma.
To all of you struggling out there, very well done for keeping going. It’s harder than it was last week… extra kudos to you all.
Our bodies are pretty good at regulating our temperature, but to achieve this we dehydrate more overnight… and also we sleep less well (even if we don’t wake at all during it). So, we get to our start line with less energy, and with imperfect hydration, there’s two big factors in how the run will feel guaranteed to be off.
It’s time to cut ourselves a little more slack than we normally do. Was the run supposed to be 20 minutes and you managed 16? Wow… that’s actually pretty amazing and when this heatwave is gone, you’ll be just fine hitting that 20 up again… you’ll be stronger physically because you ran, and you’ll be stronger mentally because it was tough out there! You’ve got this!
Happy running everyone, can’t wait to see run reports from Monday onwards!!!
Written by
UnfitNoMore
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Yes, yes yes! You've summed this up perfectly. I only managed 1 run last week, this week 2 so far, but I will do a 3rd and it will be early. I will make sure that I tell myself an extra 2 minutes on my 5k isn't an issue at all.
My mantra this week has been "Slow run, or no run"
Thank you for posting and glad to see you're still here 😘🥵🥵🥵🥵
29 degrees (whatever that is, my thermostat won’t go into Fahrenheit) in my lounge, which is making my water a little harder to sip at… my usually very good hydration regimen is way off!
Yesterday my daughter wanted to run, so we had a mile run at 10pm. 13:07 for the mile with as much effort needed at 10:00 usually takes, I certainly won’t be trying for a 9 for a little while 🤣
We’re a nation of moaners when it comes to our weather here in the UK. I’m included in that statement unless it’s nice and cool, lol.During this heatwave I’ve been running in the morning when it’s cooler. So far so good, done my 28 minutes run this morning.
Great work… I’m having problems with replies. My post started life as a reply to someone, but after 3 attempts to post it I figured I’d best just start a post. Strangely it isn’t affecting this thread 🤔
I’m not a morning person, so have been doing the polar opposite and running late… mentally I was even cooler last night as running in the dark made me think of winter!
Exactly! We don't have hot weather for long enough that we can properly get used to it. And when a hot spell ends and normal temps return, everyone's shivering.
healthunlocked.com/couchto5... true my friend...but, the runs will wait an maybe now is not the time to be heading out at all?
Speaking personally, I shall, if I do not get out before 7, be remaining inside and working out !
I find the heat draining and almost, wish ( almost) for that wind which we ran with at Plas Heli!
But, the delights of feet dangled in a paddling pool, ( filled ready for small runner in training) , and a shady corner, make the wait for the runs worth it
Stay cool.... Park Run and Pwllheli will be waiting in September ! Yikes !
Now how did September arrive on the horizon so soon?
Rest day yesterday… late and short again today I think. If it wasn’t for little miss actually wanting to run at the moment I think no run would be my preferred option.
Looking at, possibly, getting over there for the bank holiday weekend… though I do still fancy Bala.
I think we will be in Wales for Christmas… which opens up a cold run on the beach, which would be lovely I think. Just have to coax little miss into either sleeping in or coming for a run first thing!
We are heading next week maybe, not sure yet! J and I have our 49th Wedding Anniversary the week after...Bala does sound good... about 45 minutes from Criccieth.
Christmas in Wales...well, it will be a change... and hopefully a restful time?
In answer to your question, I do not know where this year has gone!
Oh I love this post! I totally agree, I used to live in the United States and I’d never known heat like it, but as you say, air conditioning was everywhere! I’ve felt like a wilty sweaty cabbage leaf the last few days, and managed one early run on Thursday, and hope to do a short early one tomorrow. But I shall cut myself some slack if it’s not my best run ever. All the best UnfitNoMore ! 😊😊😊
Exactly right, we’ve spent a lot of time i the sea, but running a little and swimming a lot round a busy full time job has taken its toll, got home from work yesterday and just couldn’t face another short run and swim so flopped, cooked, ate, slept and it doesn’t feel much cooler this morning even though I know it is. Day off tomorrow so catch up on sleep and hopefully run in the rainGood advice as always 😀
I get bored really quickly on the treadmill… I think this is magnified by me rarely using headphones on a run, my playlist is given to me by the birds, sheep, some cows, and even on occasion some turkeys!!!
After a run on a cool (or even slightly warm) day, even if physically tired, mentally I feel great. Ninety-nine percent of the time, with a long run, my brain says more, but its my body that is telling me it is a good time to call it a day.
As the temperature rises above about 24/25, I not only feel physically sluggish, but my brain gives up too. I don't enjoy the run so much, and no matter what length of run I had planned, if the temperature is very warm, I persuade myself to limit it to 5K.
Its a bit like drinking 10 double espresso coffees, then finding they were decaffeinated, there is just not that kick after.
Although I would run outside by choice, my neighbours offer of using their treadmill in their nice cool gym does mean that I do get that kick out of the run.
The alternative, of getting up as Silly-O-Clock to run when it is cooler may help with the initial euphoria, but my mid afternoon, I could really do with a nap!!
I do love the feeling of the tiredness being washed away after a long run… I don’t get to experience it often as I do like to run in the evenings so I miss it by sleeping!
Love your analogy… I’ve never worked out why anybody would drink a decaf espresso though, there’s only one point to espresso! I kinda get using that to make cappuccino though, I just can’t see myself ever opting for coffee without a hit!
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Completed C25K, it didn’t feel like I thought it would...
Can I do it? I have completed week 8 and just feel like giving up 😩
Man, I feel like a runner! 
I feel like Slim Shady 
Feeling good😊 Felt like sharing 😊
