Running Hot or in the Dark? It’s a C.S.I. Thing
Running the Race is a serious of posts that joins me on the journey to health as I train for my first half-marathon.
I really enjoy detective shows like C.S.I., Law and Order, and Criminal Minds. When you watch enough episodes you begin to notice a common introductory story theme. It is always the jogger who finds the body while jogging alone.
The hardest thing about training for a half-marathon as a Texan is the Texas summer heat. We have been lucky this summer with relatively mild temperatures; that is, until this week. We are now hitting the point where we don’t even cool down at night. Still 90 degrees at 10:00pm . . . seriously!
So, here is my dilemma. In order to get my next long run in, an 11-mile run, I have to run hot or in the dark. What I mean is either I have to start running before the sun is up or start at dawn and run in the heat. (Okay did I just say I am planning to run for 11 miles!?) Starting out of the house at 5:30am means it is still dark, as in the stars at night are still big and bright. What about a treadmill? UGH! Treadmills are so boring even with my best playlist playing or a Downton Abbey episode going on a propped up iPad. Not even the best power song on the planet can make a two-hour run on a treadmill possible. Have I said how much I detest treadmills?
So, off to Academy I went today and got this really cool Nathan LED Safety Strobe that you hook on to your waistband. I just wish they had it in pink!
And I got Nathan’s Dashes and Dots which are reflective stickers to put on my waist pack that I run with.
All that to say, I guess the early morning runs win out now that I am fully equipped with reflective stickers, flashing light, cell phone and ID….. and yes, I am sure I will still glance over as I cross every ravine . . . It’s a C.S.I. thing!
This week’s runs:
Tuesday 2.76mi 12’44”/mi 35:12 Temp 79
Thursday 3.21mi 11’01”/mi 35:29 (Pace run with Magic Mile pace of 10’32”) Temp 79
Friday 3.43mi 12’13″/mi 41:49 Temp 80