Let’s discuss something that’s on the mind of every runner right now, the heat.
Initially, I was all “yay the heat is challenging and it will make me a better, faster, stronger runner!”
Weeks later and I’m more or less “this heat is b.s. I hate it. Oh and I also hate running. I’m slow, out of shape and don’t know why I thought training for a marathon was a good idea.”
Then today happened. I was trudging along through my tempo run second guessing why I even run in the first place, yet simultaneously telling myself to keep working harder. Eventually, I could feel all my running desires take over the negative thoughts in my head by injecting the phrase, “I will NOT give up!” to the front of my mind.
As I huffed my way through my last tempo mile breathing loud heavy breaths that phrase rolled over and over again in my head.
I finished my run, jogged towards the nearest Juice Generation for a smoothie and felt proud of myself. My running goals suddenly didn’t feel so far off after all.
Upon returning home, I logged into DailyMile and read about everyone’s continual struggle with the heat. While we need to be safe, stay hydrated, etc., etc, we also need to get our crazy runner brains in check. So here’s my note to all of us (myself included):
It’s not you it’s the heat. YOU are a rock-star, speed-demon in running shoes waiting to unleash your furry when the weather cools off and you can reap the benefits of all the tough runs you ran in the heat. You are NOT slowing down. You are getting stronger and fitter. You do not give up on your goals nor do you call yourself slow EVER!
Are you with me?
Thanks for this!! I need to retread this daily to keep it all in perspective.
When’s the first day of Fall??!!
I am with you! From the beginning to the end of this post! And I love that shirt!
But boy, I really am over this weather.
I am going to save that mantra and repeat it to myself. Thank you!!!
Perfect timing! I think many of us are starting to beat ourselves up – I know I have been. And then I have to remember that it’s HOT and crazy humid. And that is going to affect your run no matter who you are.
OMG I LOVE YOU. I mean, I’ve loved you for a while… but I REALLY love you right now. I could barely walk a block today and kept thinking “how the hell am I supposed to train for a marathon in this heat?” AMEN to this post!
Right there with you! I logged my slowest miles EVER this week and was like wtf is wrong with me! So needed this post 🙂
Awesome post! I’m with you!!! 🙂
Thanks for this! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. I’ve always hated the heat and running in it is like torture. I’m counting the days til Fall! 🙂
Hang in there everyone!
I’m with you for sure! Being from Texas, I wish I could say I’m used to the heat…but that’s not the case. 🙂 I do have the “I will not give up!” mentality, and I always feel pretty great when I get through one of these hot runs. Looking forward to cooler temps – they’ll be here before we know it!
Jess, thank you for writing this post! Even though I’ve been running during the mornings, my runs have been less than stellar lately, and it’s nice to hear I’m not the only one feeling the humidity’s effects.
I can remember when I used to run all the time, I would carry a cold washcloth with ice cubes in it. IT really helped, a LOT. Then I heard it was an invention that someone had already come up with, that you put on your neck. I was a few years late 🙂
Great idea!
LOVE that shirt!!
And yes, everyone is down about the darn heat and even in the gym you’re miserable on the dreadmill.
The kick in the pants is a reminder to hang in there and don’t let the heat beat ya!
I really worried about running in sub-zero temps and snow over the winter here in Northern IL, but the heat is so much more challenging!! YUCK.
Thank you so much for this! It helped me stay motivated and not give up on my run yesterday!
You are so welcome! The heat is brutal at times!
Thanks for the message. 🙂 I was beginning to wonder if I was using the heat as an excuse for my poor performance. I suppose not! Lol. It just sucks and that’s all there is to it.
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