As most people do, I have been refreshing Weather.com about a million times a day for the past week obsessing about St. George, Utah on Saturday. Unfortunately, the weather outlook has steadily become worse and worse. Five days ago, the forecast was for high temperatures around 89 degrees. As of five minutes ago, the high is predicted to be 93. YIKES.
Yesterday, I posted on Facebook and Twitter asking for advice for running a marathon in extreme heat. I had some good advice. Some of it even made me laugh. Alyssa and XLMIC both suggested I run naked! Interesting thought…
Two tweets came through that really made me think:
When I talked to my husband about it, he encouraged me not to change my goal. I have been training toward this goal for six months. If you count my failed attempt last year, I have been running toward this goal for over a year.
But running in temperatures that high? In Googling “running in heat” I saw articles saying that running in temperatures over 85 can lower your pace as much as 20%.
I am not going to give up my goal. However, I am going to loosen my grip on it a bit. Last year, I was holding on to my goal so tightly that when it finally slipped away, I was crushed. It still stings. I actually have a bad taste in my mouth for the Long Beach Marathon because of it. I have looked forward for so long to running St. George, I don’t want it ruined. I am determined to enjoy this!
I will do exactly as Mason suggests: accept what the day gives me, adjust my goal as needed and, most importantly, HAVE FUN.
I don’t think there is live tracking for the race, however they are broadcasting the finish line. I will be wearing a day-glo tank top, pink visor, pink compression socks and black shorts. My bib number is 5974. Look for me! http://www.voddov.com/marathon/
I’m off to finish packing. We leave in the morning.
Happy Running…
9 comments:
I hope you have an awesome time!
DANG that is hot!!
But...you are still going to be awesome. Hopefully it will be cool in the morning. Or yeah..just run naked :). can't wait to hear about it!
Good luck and don't be too hard on yourself in the heat! stay hydrated and can't wait to read all about it!
Enjoy the race! Good Luck!
Ugh my heart goes out to you. It's hard to let go of goals but if you're like me, heat will take its toll.
I ran my first marathon (Chicago '07) in extreme heat and didn't decide to back off my goal until after 10 miles. It became clear then there was no way I could hold pace once the sun became a factor.
Minimal, light-colored clothes, you may want to carry water. Ice under a hat or in your bra is great.
Good luck and hang in there. Maybe by some miracle it won't get too hot.
Good Luck! Heat is no fun for running, but I hope you work thru it for a great time!
oh, what a tough break! Sorry the weather isn't cooperatng! Maybe it will be cooler than expected. I love your attitude though, and that will carry you through! Good luck!
yikes! hopefully it'll be a "cool" 93... (does that even exist?) :) i hope it all goes well still good luck!
I'll be thinking of you!!!!!! Go, Lisa!!!!!
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