20 miles this morning. I am not exaggerating when I say this was <b>the hardest run I have ever done in my life</b> because of very high humidity and temperatures of 85. I made two out and back trips from my friend Bill's house. The course was totally open, with little shade, and did I mention it was 90% humidity? I had water out every 2-3 miles ... but it turned out to not be enough.<br><br>
The first out and back trip I felt great. I cracked up Bill by stuffing my bra with ice for the second trip. I easily kept in my "long run pace" through 14 and then began to fall apart. Then, I got crazy in the heat:<br><br>
Mile 13: I do something I've never done before and take off my shirt to run in a sports bra and shorts. The melted bra ice had soaked my shirt and it was too heavy.<br><br>
Mile 15: I stop to drink and have a "pep talk" while standing in the shade of a bean tree. I wonder what the beans taste like.<br><br>
Mile 16: My brand-new mp3 player dies. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Sad"><br><br>
Mile 17: I stop and sit under the shade of a tree. I have never done this on a run before either. While I sitting there a woman who had been out running earlier and waved to me then drove by, stopped 20 ft from me, and picked up a water bottle. She did not even say hello or ask if I was OK and I was right there. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="sad2"><br><br>
Miles 17-20: Continue the 10 min/mile battle of wills. Each time I stop in the shade, I am gasping for breath at a pace that normally I could do all day long without fatiguing.<br><br>
Mile 19: Clouds cover the sun and a breeze comes up. Where the hell was that 10 miles ago? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
Mile 20: Almost cry at relief of making it back safely.<br><br>
I was really not feeling well the last 6 miles and know I was dehydrating. I felt dizzy, chilled, and stomach cramping. I just slowed down and was as careful as I could to finish. I do not do well in heat. After the run and partially rehydrating I am still down 3 lbs and my skin feels dry. I will be drinking and drinking the rest of the day.<br><br>
Even though this run wasn't good at all pace-wise, I am proud that I never wanted to quit and dug deeper than I have ever dug to keep moving forward.<br><br><b>To everyone racing in warm weather this weekend, I wish you your best possible race in the conditions -- most of all please be safe!</b>