Archive for March 7th, 2009

Today will be the warmest day since winter began and I’m sitting here waiting for the mercury to rise. It’s 67.3 degrees at the moment and I want it to get at least to 70, though not for the reasons you might think. I know there are people out there who find 70 degrees to be fabulous running weather. Not me. I hate it. At least in my memory I do.

It stems less from actual discomfort than the horrible memory of my dehydration drama last September, coupled with my marathon training logs when I felt I’d slipped backwards in the speed department. I dread the performance hits I’m likely to see as summer approaches.

On the brighter side of the argument, perhaps the lack of speed growth during last year’s marathon training was also due to going from 6 days a week to 5 (though mileage was comparable) along with following Pfitz’s pace recommendation for long runs, start at MP+20% getting to MP+10% by the end…a slower ratio than I’d be shooting for now.

So this will be a telling season – my second “real” summer of training. And while I have an enormous fear that heat is going to stop the improvements I’m currently experiencing, I’m crossing all fingers and toes that it’s mostly perception leaving a sour taste in my mouth, not the weather itself.

I know I know, 70 is child’s play as far as heat goes, but coming from months of 20-30 degree days, it’ll be warm. And 70 degrees is where my running uniform becomes a sports bra and shorts – sadly, there’s nothing I can do to make myself cooler than that, it’s as close to nekkid as it gets.

So c’mon Heat, bring it on, show me what’s in store. Maybe I won’t hate you so much this year. I can only hope.