Slogging On

I've been generally pretty happy with the way my training has progressed through these hot days of summertime, when the livin' ain't always so easy if you're a runner. For this part of the world, it's been slightly less hot than it often is in mid and late July. That said, the humidity has been a real deal breaker. It's almost more like swimming than running and you definitely finish a run as soaked through as if you just came out of the pool.

Tonight's run reminded me of a few things which ought to be said for the benefit of those who might be struggling through a summer training program for the first time. First: keep it up. Second: take it one run at a time. Third: some days are going to be better than others. Truthfully, tonight's run was a reminder that any time in the training cycle, hot weather or great weather, your body is going to now and then just say "no thank you, I would rather not run today." Mine pleaded with me as I got off work and headed home with a grocery stop along the way. "I'm tired. I'm out of gas. Let's just call the whole thing off." I almost went for it. When I got home I walked the dogs and thought of the week ahead, scratching my head as to how I would get in the mileage I need. My conscience finally said, "shut up and suit up." That was more like it. The stubborn part of my personality said "right on, let's go!" I headed out the door.

The first mile seemed long, but the sky was clear, the waning moon bright. No coastal clouds rolling in. Maybe the air is drying out. By mile two the sweat was soaking through my shirt and a half mile late my shorts were sopping wet. Feet were heavy, and however hard I tried I just couldn't pick up the pace. Four miles and call it a night? No. (You'll laugh here.) I had told my dogs I was going out for five miles. That drove me onward through the humidity and the molasses that sucked at my feet. It wasn't pretty, but I made it. No victory lap for this, but maybe a purple heart.

Every workout teaches us a lesson. The lesson tonight was that it's not necessarily the long runs that are the hardest. Now and then, you come onto days like this one, when every mile seems an eternity and the finish line is not to be seen. Take the mileage on your log and look to the next run. It is almost always better.