Yesterday I bought a pair of fancy new Nike shorts for running because my current pair are starting to develop a kind of post-run lingering odor that even I’m not liking. I also bought a MEC t-shirt for running that is on sale and will get more if I deem it worthy.
I also–hold onto your hats–bought ankle socks, both for general use and for running. The latter even have a tiny bit of padding in the heel and the ball for extra support. I’ve never been excited about wearing socks before.
I was all set to try these multitude of new items today but the temperature rose so quickly in the morning that I had to cool my jets (ho ho) waiting for the temperature to peak and then start to decline in the afternoon, looking for that sweet spot to arrive where the heat would not be unbearable. I even spent some of this waiting time buying my first-ever hydration gear, a simple North Face belt and bottle. The belt is probably as close to minimal as you can get but still seems bulky to me. I toyed with just carrying the bottle in my hand. I wondered what I could do with duct tape.
I waited and watched as the temperature climbed to 35ºC (95ºF for those south of the border). This is not merely Africa hot, it’s too dang hot to even consider running. Much of the trail around Burnaby Lake is shaded but at 35 the air takes on an aspect that brings to mind a blast furnace.
And so it was that the rarest of things happened: I postponed a run because the weather was too nice.
It’s supposed to be a little cooler tomorrow. I shall try again then.
