Beating the Heat

Although I've now considered myself a runner (as opposed to a swimmer) for the past two and a half years, somehow, this is only the first summer I've beeen running 25+ miles per week.  I was battling a hammy injury last summer so I had to take it easy, and the summer before that, I think the elliptical became my best friend when summer heat presented itself.  

Boy have I learned quickly how tough it is to run in the summer - not so much because of the heat, but the humidity!  I know I live in New York, so I can't complain as much as those in the South.  I understand it could be much worse :)  But hey - we have both extremes up here - I was doing 9-10 mile runs this past winter in single digit temperatures, and in white-out conditions.  I still don't know which extreme I prefer...

Winter (from Syracuse.com) brrrr!!

Summer (also from Syracuse.com)

I try to make smart decisions when going on my summer runs.  During the week, I wake up at 5:15 to get out there before the sun is up.  Note: it is still terribly humid at 5:30am -- I'm talking 90% humidity -- yuck!  I have a few dri-fit shirts and shorts, and I think those help too.  I'll be ordering some more apparel this week!   Does anyone have any suggestions?  I'm also thinking one of those water belt thingy's could be good for when I start my long runs in August... I found these hot weather running tips, too.  Looks like I am doing some of the right things!

Question time!  Would you rather run in extreme heat/humidity, or freezing cold/snow? 

When Work Travel Interrupts Training / Always Pack Underwear!

All of us athletes know how to make sure we get our workouts in when we're traveling for work.  Pack your running shoes.  Ask the front desk where to go running.  Head to the hotel gym.  Easy enough, right?  But what about when you were only expecting to be gone for ~15 hours, and that 15 hours suddenly 35 hours?  What do you do then?...

In anticipation of my 4am alarm Tuesday, I did a double workout Monday.  I ran 7 miles in the morning, and then did 30 minutes on the elliptical and lifted weights at night.  So when I left my apartment yesterday morning at 4:30am, I thought I was going to enjoy a nice recovery day.  Boy was I wrong. 

Here was the original plan: fly to JFK airport, go to a couple hours of meetings, head back to JFK to kill a few hours before my 6pm flight home.  Home in time to see the series finale of the Hills ;)

Here's what actually happened...
 

Little Bitty Cycles?

I swam my whole life, through college.  Since college, I've become a runner.  Naturally, people often say to me, "You should do triathlons" adding that "you've already got the hardest parts down."  Well, despite the fact that my brother and sister have become avid triathletes themselves, I've done a good job maintaining my role as a spectator.  You see, when I swam in college, I had serious issues at swim meets.  I got so nervous.  Luckily, I got had to longer races, so I had a few minutes to get rid of the pre-race jitters and relax.  Anyway, I've enjoyed my relaxing active life post-college. 

Anyway, now that I am living back upstate in the land of open roads, I drive past people all the time riding bikes.  It looks like fun, in a relaxing but healthy sort of way.  And it would be a nice way to exercise on my rest days from running.  And now that I'm not paying $900 a month to share a railroad apartment with a roommate (flashback to Hoboken days), I have the money to buy a bike.  And (because I haven't said the word 'and' enough in this paragraph), most importantly, my sister found me this bike.  I am a sucker for anything turquoise/aqua...

 So this bike.  I think it might have my name on it.  It is usually $949 but on sale for $599.  Hmm.  Do I do it?  I don't want to feel pressured to do triathlons by buying a bike.  Well, let's face it, I won't be pressured.  :)  But what do you think?