Still Wilting in the Heat

 With memories of the grueling Penistone 10K still fresh in my mind, I took on another 10K race last week.  Although it was in the evening, it was still extremely warm and I really struggled again.  I was the same on Saturday when I took on Potternewton parkrun, not realising just how hilly it was going to be.  Again, the combination of heat and hills made me feel like the most unfit blob on the planet.  I am now a bit nervous about the forthcoming York 10K which, although not hilly, could turn out to be another hot one.  It doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.  In future I think I will stick to my old rule of not entering any summer races.  Spring and autumn are my racing times and it's all about just keeping it ticking over in the summer months.  But, I need to go into this race at York with a more positive mindset and find a way to get the best out of it, whatever the weather might bring.  With that in mind, I've made myself a list.  There are always lessons to be learned in running and I do love a good list.  

1.  Remember that in hot weather, normal rules don't apply.  Don't compare yourself with what you can do on a cooler day.

2.  Think SAFETY FIRST.  Heat can be deadly so respect it.  Don't try to fight against it.  Work with it.  Better to go slow than collapse.

3.  Redefine what a 'good run' means in these challenging circumstances.  It might mean accepting a slower finish time.  It might just mean finishing safely. 

4.  Respect your body.  Don't get frustrated with it for being slow and useless.  It is having to work so much harder in these tough conditions.  Don't push and abuse it.  Listen to it, be guided by it and show it some love!

5. Walk when you need to, even if you are that person who 'never' walks on a run.  'Jeffing' is not for everyone but it you have ever been curious about this run/walk strategy, there couldn't be a better time to give it a go than during a heatwave.  Nobody's saying you have to do it all the time, but it may be an interesting experiment, another coping strategy and you could be pleasantly surprised by the results.

6. Get serious about hydration.  Take electrolytes.  Have a supply of salt stick chews.  Don't just hydrate on race day either.  The build up is just as important.

7.  Remember that after all this tough summer running, you are going to feel so amazing when you get into autumn.  What hasn't killed you will hopefully have made you stronger and wiser.

Just occasionally, I can perform well in summer.  Here's me on my way to winning a trophy for 1st lady in a local 5K race a few weeks ago.  It wasn't nearly so hot then though, not even shorts weather!