Summer Running

photo credit: ecstaticist via photopin cc

Now I have the song from Grease stuck in my head.  “Summer running, had me a blaaaaast…”

Except summer running is decidedly not a blast.  Not for me, anyway.  I hate running in the heat.  A lot of that has to do with my heart issues (the warmer it is, the harder it is for me to keep my heart rate down).  But in general, I just don’t like to be hot.  I don’t know how you people in warm climates do it.  I joke about moving to Florida, but I could never live there.  Too hot.

So that means I’ll be relaxing this summer, right?

Yeah, no.  Though I won’t be doing as many crazy long runs.  Or races, for that matter.  After this weekend’s half, my next half marathon isn’t until September.  Last summer, I also did the Women’s Distance Festival, which meant running 4 5ks over the summer.  I have decided to not do that either.

That means my only summer races are two triathlons – one in less than two weeks and my “big” one in August (which is still “just” a sprint, but that sprint seems really far).  Triathlons in the summer have one advantage – warm weather means warmer water.  So that’s a plus.  And I don’t have the same heat issues with biking.  The run… well, I’ll just have to deal.

It definitely means a change in my training focus though.  I think I’m going to try to keep my “long” runs at about 8 miles, maybe occasionally throwing in a 10 if there’s an overcast day or I happen to wake up extra super early (I don’t run until the sun comes out because the raccoons will eat me).

And of course, June and July are going to be about training for my triathlon, and what that means is much more time on my bike.  I’m getting comfortable with the swim.  I’ve covered the distance many times.  Now it’s just about keeping my stamina up.  Biking though, that’s still a learning experience.  The pedals are definitely what’s throwing me, but I’m getting better.

But I will never be able to give up my first love, running.  Half marathons are incredible.  Even the bad ones are good.  So I have to keep up my summer running to keep my body into shape for the 4 (I think) half marathons I’m running this fall.

Oh yes, and then there’s that pesky marathon in January…