For the love of all things holy....if this heat doesn't break...

I spoke with a good friend of mine who has run a marathon before. I joked with her that the next time (if there is a next time) I lose my mind and decide this is a good idea, I will train in the winter for a spring marathon.

She reminded me that she did just that. She trained all winter for the Disney Marathon, which takes place in January. She said that day in Disney was so hot she ended up walking part of that marathon.

I don't think she has any idea what a relief it was to hear her say that. This friend of mine is a true athlete. I look to her as an athletic role model, of sorts. If she had to walk part of the marathon, then it's okay to do that! I no longer feel this insane pressure!

The week is good and hot, but I manage to run the prescribed mileage for the week. I don't think I've taken a hot shower in weeks because it's too damn hot for hot water and cold just feels so good when you have sweated your nipples off of your breasts.

I even planned to start my Saturday run at 6:30 to beat more of the heat and not hold everyone up. Only ten miles. No problem, right?

Sweet Jesus and all his disciples.

I can honestly say I have never sweated through my clothes. Ever. I mean, all the way through. My shorts, my underwear, sports bra, t-shirt. In fact, I was able to wring the sweat out of my t-shirt. It was such an uncomfortable run, I don't even know what else to say.

I knew I could run the ten miles, but at one point I realized that my run is as fast as my walk and what am I doing killing myself? I joked with our walkers that I was keeping pace with them. On any other day, that would be sad. One of them mentioned that today shouldn't be about time, but about getting through the distance. Amen.

So at about mile 8, I walked. What was the difference? In fact, I think when I started to walk, I was able to pick up my pace a bit.

And I have a bone to pick with those folks who don't sweat. What the hell is wrong with you!? How is this even possible? How is it that I look as though I've been in a rainstorm and you are ready for a nice breakfast and a spot of tea? Tell me! I dislike all of you non-sweaters!

Now that I've calmed just a bit, I am ready to put this long run behind me and move to next week. Hey, that's what you have to do. Keep moving along. I've made the commitment and I intend to finish.

Twelve Miles...Can it be done?

After my ten mile debacle, I was understandably nervous. The heat broke a bit but it is still hotter than hell and more humid than anything. I sweat sitting and dread running because of the heat and humidity.

But once I am armed with my Gatorade and towel and get moving, I find my groove and love it.

I have also discovered my new favorite five mile route. There are a few rolling hills in the first 2.5 miles, which may as well be Mt. Everest to me, but then it flattens out on this quiet, quiet street. I saw deer crossing the road! I saw a baby skunk that I managed to avoid. That would certainly have sucked if I got sprayed by a damn skunk in the heat and humidity while I was running.

Saturday arrived and I was ready. It was already humid in the morning. I wasn't sure if I would get through 12, but I was certainly ready to try.

....

I have resigned myself to the fact that if I have to walk some of this marathon because I couldn't run in the heat, so be it. I was exhausted by the end. The heat and sun were killing me. I was going to run out to five and back and then out to one and back since the route from zero to one is shaded and breezy. I got as far as seven miles and talked to the coaches. Ron ran with me - or rather walked with me. It turns out that when the weather is like this, my running is the equivalent of other people's walking. And in this weather, I don't care. It bothered me last year and it bothered me in Africa. It no longer bothers me. I know that when the humidity is lower, I can actually run. I know that my body is able. That is good. But I cannot fight genetics. Nor will I even try.

The coach asked if I could run/walk the last five miles. I said I thought I could. I gave myself permission to walk for .2 miles and then run the other .8 of the mile. I did that for three more miles and called it a day because I thought I might die.

So I ran, sort of, ten miles. And I am happy with that. I will keep doing this and keep trudging along. Cancer doesn't take a break, nor will I!

WTF, with this humidity and heat?!

We were warned by the meteorologists that this week would be incredibly hot and humid. They weren't kidding! We had days when it reached in excess of 90 degrees with a heat index that made it feel over 100.

And I had to run.

Perhaps next time I should train in winter.

This week I have to figure out how to run 3, 5, 3, 3 miles from Monday through Thursday so that I can run ten miles this weekend.

Um, right.

Actually, the runs during the week weren't so bad. I discovered that if I run in the evening, it is cooler and I am able to do it. I was armed with my Gatorade and my towel. I tucked my towel into my shorts. I am sure I looked like an ass, but I didn't care. I had some running to do.

But my company, Wild Mountain Organics, was participating in a show this weekend, so my long run would have to be on Saturday. I ran three days and took Thursday off. Then I tried to run on Friday...in the morning.

STUPID!

My goal was to run out five miles and return. I got to four and thought I better turn around. I could easily add two miles at the end once I recharged at home with more Gatorade.

I turned around and ran another mile. Then I had to stop. My body was overheating! I was rather frightened, actually. I had to walk three more miles back and said, screw the other two.

I was disappointed that I only ran five miles, walked three and abandoned the last two, but it was better than nothing. Or was it? We shall see.

I am very nervous about trying to run 12 next weekend. Egads!

This heat was oppressive! I am lucky I managed to run at all.

And it is only July. What does August bring?

Ooops, Monday...

My friend was in town this week. We went to Toronto on Monday and I missed my three mile run. I was going to add a mile to each of the next days, but decided against it. I don't want to get hurt. I should be okay.

Training went well this week. I love this! I ache and am tired when I am finished, but I am injury free (knock on wood) and enjoy getting out, listening to music and running.

Now I am trying to pay attention to my diet as well. I notice that when I eat like crap, I feel like crap, and my run isn't as good. Summer is the perfect time to concentrate on eating well with all the fresh fruit and vegetables available. And our garden is looking good. We have lettuce and radishes. Yummy!

Even without my three mile Monday run, I am able to muscle through the Saturday eight mile run. I take my bottle of Gatorade with me. I like to sip as I run. The trainer comments that I don't need to bring my own drink because they provide it, but I need it before and after the three mile mark. I need to hydrate and replenish!

Since we were to run eight miles, our run consisted of an out and back to the four mile mark. See how clever we are to figure that out? At mile three, we have beverages and encouragement. And when I had three miles left, I said, hey, only three miles to go.

And I meant it. Only three miles to go and I felt good. Ron, a former Team In Training member and current mentor, was on the run with us. He was encouraging. I told him to try yoga because it helps and he kept encouraging me telling me that no matter how fast I was running, I was still out there making a difference. Sometimes that's all you need.

And Shiela is one of our more seasoned runners. I think she is in her 70's and ran her first marathon when she was in her 60's. She is often on the trail with us. She inspires me. If she can do it, so can I.

I told Ron that my mantra becomes, you can do anything for a mile. He liked that I was able to break it up into smaller increments. He thought that would help.

So far so good.

And I've run eight miles! Woo hoo!