Acclimated? Yeah. Right.

My weekend of running began with waking up very late on Saturday. 10AM I knew that I was a) either gonna battle some heavy heat/humidity outside or b) grind it out inside on treadmill. I mulled the decision over drinking coffee from this mug that Kera gave to me almost 1 year ago.



After spending 3 out of the last 4 runs on treadmill, including the 10.3 miles last Sunday, I just could not get back on the ever so trusty machine. I tried to mentally gear up for the run which was now gonna take place outside.
WEATHER STATS: 89 degrees, 65% humidity
I started out running and 1st mile was ok. After embarking on some uphill during 2nd mile, it became very brutal, very quickly. To add insult to the weather conditions, lifting each leg to propel me forward was like lifting stone bricks attached to my quads. Heavy duty. As my movement progressed, each step seemed to take so much out of me. I looked at my GARMINto check my heart rate and it was WAY up there. WAY to high. I managed to run for 4 miles and then I just walked. Not sure if you know this or not about me, i really DISLIKE walking during a run, UNLESS I have planned for it....like i did for my 40 Mile Run.
But, I was just feeling pretty damn beat. So, I walked and had no idea how far i would walk. Then, somewhere along the way, I just said, ok...I will walk 1 mile and then see how i feel. I ran the next mile and then walked/ran the last mile. So, in total, 4 miles running. 3 miles walk/run. I was feeling pretty lousy about this for a while but then realized that of course, for the marathon, its really about putting the time and miles out there on my feet. So, I had to let it go and rest up for the long Sunday Run.

SUNDAY: Wake up call was 5:15am and thankfully, woke up pretty easily. Coffee, Clif Bar and banana and then I was out the door by 6:30am and on my way to Silver Comet Trail, one of the prettiest places to run around Atlanta.





No iPOD today. Just wanted to hear my breathing and the natural sounds surrounding me. Run started right at 7am and there was hardly anyone out of the trail, which was unusual. Usually, lots of people out running, biking, walking. I was happy for the quiet. I've said many times that Sunday Runs are my "church". I feel closer to God and closer to my own sense of spirituality than at any other time. The quite, The beauty, The Space to be free and clear....ahhhh...heavenly. And yes, Even when the conditions start getting to me.
WEATHER SUNDAY: 72% degrees. 92% Humidity.

I really didn't think I had much in my tank. Legs continued to feel incredibly weighed down. I just kept going though...I know the mile markers like the back of my hand, so i just kept thinking of the next mile. Make it to the next mile. And then the next and so on. Before long, I only had 2 more miles to go. I sucked down my last GU GEL and kept on movin'.
12 Miles done. And I am not doing a double of any kind on treadmill tonight. Tomorrow is massage day and i think i will give my legs 2 full days off to rest.

So, even though I have lived in Atlanta for years now, NO, i am not acclimated to this weather. Some of you may think the running gets easier for me since I have been at it for a while, but i don't think it gets easier. It is just different. I'm not sure I felt a "runners high" on either of these runs this weekend. But, I did feel a "runners peace" today and that is why I keep comin' back for me.

Peace out. Keep Movin'