When I first started running in 2009, I was dumb. I was dumb because I would run too hard, too fast and wouldn’t give myself time to recover. This resulted in various ailments, ranging from shin splints to cramps and just running (ho ho) myself ragged.
Today I knew the predicted high was 33C and decided to go out for a run, anyway. But because I am no longer dumb, I had already planned to just walk if I found it too hot and uncomfortable.
An early tip-off to how it might go came when I first headed out down Fader Street. I could feel sweat beading up after only a few blocks. But I was walking out in the sun and on a sidewalk, pretty much the worst conditions for heat in the city.
It was better at the lake, especially with plenty of shade from the trees, but it had also climbed to 32C by the time I got there. I started off with a moderate pace and actually came in at 6:10/km for the first km, faster than expected. I dropped on the second km and a bit more on the third, but my BPM stayed steady, peaking around 150. Still, as I passed the 3K mark, I could feel my energy being sapped by the heat/humidity combo, and I also realized I had miscalculated by thinking running clockwise would provide more shade, and that the last 1.5 km of the run would be pretty much out in the open. I ended the run at 3.19 km and walked the way out. I drank 50 liters of water after.
Until the heat finally got to me, it wasn’t too bad—I experienced a little dry mouth, but there was just enough humidity to keep it from being gross and awful. Still, I saw a few other joggers, and they all looked kind of miserable or miserable/stoic. I imagine I looked the same.
And this is where I am no longer dumb. I knew when to call it, instead of stupidly pushing on and then feeling horrible after. As it was, I only felt a need to drink a swimming pool’s worth of water. The walk home, which was now over 11 km, did seem to stretch on forever at times.
But I’m glad I went out and at least tried to keep to my current run schedule–and managed 3/5ths! The weather is due to change tomorrow and go back to seasonal temperatures, so this should be the last Xtreme Heat™ for at least a few weeks.
Stats:
Run 685 Average pace: 6:22/km Location: Burnaby Lake (CW) Start: 1:50 p.m. Distance: 3.19 km Time: 20:21 Weather: Sunny Temp: 32ºC Humidity: 33% Wind: light BPM: 146 Weight: 168.6 Total distance to date: 5028 km Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation) Shoes: 5Brooks Caldera 5 (143 km)
