A Run in the Sun 🌞

[Dexy5]

Hello all, we have reached September and it feels like July here on the south coast. After a very hot parkrun on Saturday, I declared that I would set the alarm today to get out early for my long run as I try to increase distance for the Great South Run in October.

Well I forgot to set the alarm but was out of bed at 7.30, with a cup of tea provided by   UpTheStanley . So how come I didn’t start running until 9.00 again? I guess there was the added faff of applying sunscreen as I would be wearing a vest instead of a T-shirt, I had to choose a suitable guided run on NRC (I went for a 90 min run) and do my warmup exercises once I was on the prom, but I don’t know where the rest of the time went.

Anyway I set off and headed into the gentle breeze and according to Mr Garmin it was cloudy (no clouds visible) and it was 22C (that I could believe).

I headed at an easy pace for the Hayling Island ferry, turned and returned the way I came. When I got to a shaded part next to a caravan site I doubled back a few times to enjoy the cooler run, and also had some sips of water as it was the 5k point. I then headed back to the prom where there is no shelter from the sun and with the light breeze on your back you get hotter and hotter. I couldn’t leave this for a cooler day, as I’ve known days like this on the Great South Run so I’ve got to train for it. When I approached the pitch and putt course (7.25k) I crossed the road to see if I could find shade from the trees surrounding it, but discovered that although shadier the breeze reduced further. I kept on running down to canoe lake, avoiding families unloading cars of beach paraphernalia and picnics, on the last day of school holidays for many. I ran around the lake to the shade next to the rose garden and chose several linked paths to ensure that I reached 11k before meeting UTS at the beach cafe. Half a litre of water and an iced mocha went down very well along with grilled peaches, blueberries, granola and yogurt . Yes very healthy. 😇

I’m very happy to have reached the distance, despite the heat, and I kept to my game plan of not going too fast ( apart from the 5th km in the shade, which probably coincided with faster music). So 11km, time 1hour 32 mins. Temperature is now 27c ! 🥵

The photo shows the start of the Clipper Race in Southsea yesterday and Southsea Pier today.

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Well done Dexy5 I think you’re very brave to go out running when it’s so hot! 🥵

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to David_G]

Thanks David. Normally we’d be used to the heat by now but after our strange summer this year it has been a bit of a shock. But I had to do it today as I will now be tapering for our New Forest 10k at the weekend. So just a few easy very short runs to follow. I wore a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and carried water so no harm done. Now for a litre of high 5 to replace those electrolytes.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done on your continued training Dexy, especially in the warm sun. You can guess how mine’s going (but I’ll get round 💪)

Lovely photos. 😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You got round last year against all the odds cheekychipmunks , and I have no doubt you’ll do it again. 🏅🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Oh I will - you know me; a stubborn old bird! 😅

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Well done Dexy - I went along the top of Portsdown Hill at 8 and it was hot enough for me then!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to JonathanP]

Haha, that was my intention! Hopefully you had a nice breeze up there.

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

Yes, it certainly helped!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

well done Dexy, great work.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thanks shakes. Did you have similar conditions yesterday? I need to check out race reports.

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles]

Nice run for you today Dexy! Chiropodist has suggested I stay off my left foot for a day ror 2 to ease the inflammation. Drat!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Oldgirlruns]

At least you’ve had professional advice . Are you on ibuprofen too? I hope it sorts itself out soon for you. A good excuse to sunbathe in the garden, although it might be too hot with current wind direction.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a run in this heat, looks beautiful and lots to look at and pass the time, aren't we lucky we can run? 😀

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to SueAppleRun]

Very. Thank you c25k. 🙏

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

It only seems a few days back that you ran a 10km race and now 11km, seriously impressive to me. Here's to your running continuing well 😊🏃‍♀️

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Yes 10k on the Severn bridge and 10k in the New Forest coming up this weekend, but I’ve also got 10 miles to do in October so I’ve got to stick it out. Thankfully the sciatica is improved by running.

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Now you are muddling me! I thought the week before a race would not include a long run from your taper message from a while back. I'm sure you know what you are doing! 😂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to over61andstilltrying]

I decided that after running over 5 years, a run 24 hours late would not affect me too much and I will treat it like when on the magic plan where I do one long run a week. The main aim is to get some miles in so that I and my body are ready for the Great South Run in October. My taper starts from now with just 3 short easy runs before race day.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

You are tougher than I am Dexy5. I ended up with 24 degrees this morning, no cooling breeze….so 6k became 4K and flat white became a bottle of chilled water! I must be getting soft! Just going to lift a sports drink out of the fridge.😋

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes it was beyond 22C when I finished I’m sure. It wasn’t easy BC but it was good training at running in the heat and sticking to the distance. I was glad I was able to find some shade though. Yes our order changed from the usual cappuccino to an iced mocha- just perfect. We’re still drinking high5 mixture.

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Well done on the 11k in the heat. The sea looks beautiful! I too got out later than planned for my long run of the week. I felt really quite smug when I found a new footpath in my quest for shade. It was lovely-for about 30seconds before it went around a corner and popped back out onto the road I had turned off in a bid to find some shade 20 minutes before!!!

Never has a glass of water in the garden in the shade tasted so good!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Week7]

Shame about your shady path, but well done to you for keeping on. Yes a lot of water consumed today.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Just glorious!! A run in the sun indeed!!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Oldfloss]

I must say it is lovely to feel the warmth of the sun Oldfloss . 🌞

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Dexy5]

Isn't it? That photograph of the boats...stunning!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Oldfloss]

It was a wonderful sight Oldfloss , and what a lovely day to send them off,. The wind was lighter than they would have liked , but I at least they could parade around the Solent for everyone to see.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I'm the same! An early start is never quite as early as I imagine ... Still, good practice for silly races that don't start til virtually 11am!!!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Not so silly if you have to drive there though. 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

That's very true!

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Well done for sticking to the plan despite the heat.Running in full sun is tough. I think I have probably become a bit acclimatised as I am finding 30c quite comfortable after 7 weeks in France, but I really do need to get some serious training for GSR having not even run 10k since June 😬

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

I was the same until the Severn Bridge run Sandie1961 but it was fine on the day. 10 miles is another matter though. Another parkrun to add on.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I just keep thinking it’s double the furthest distance I’ve done recently, which is a bit scary 😬

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

I’m sure you’ll be adding the kms on once back home Sandie

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Well done Dexy, brilliant that you ran in that heat and achieved your goal! Was that one of the nice cafés we went to ?? Good luck for the weekend! Xxx 😘

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

Yes it was the second one we took you to. Another VRB meet up on Sunday. Yay!

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Phew! hot hot Dexy, you did well to run that distance in the heat 👍

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to lexi6]

I looked like this at the end 🥵

[lexi6 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

😂😂

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

I love those photos Dexy5 ! Glorious day. Hoping for slightly cooler weather on Sunday though 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Two great photos and well done on running 11K in those high temperatures, good luck for your New Forest 10K this weekend, hopefully it will be a little cooler by Sunday.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to AlMorr]

⛅️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Oh I feel the heat from your description Dexy 🥵

Extra well done for running 11K in it 👏 I like the sound of the shade next to the rose garden and I’d probably spend my time there talking to the roses 😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

The rose garden is a memorial to the Cockleshell Heroes IP, and the scent of the roses just takes your breath away when they are in full bloom.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Oh how lovely 🙂🙏🌹🌹🌹

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Especially poignant then😍

[misswobble Marathon]

gosh that’s a hot one! 🔥😎. Well done! If feels harder work when the sun bears down. I ran in 22 degrees and it felt kna**ering 😁🥵

Sounds like a lovely route. Running by the sea 🌊 lovely 😃👍