Guest Post: Keep Your Cool

So quick recap, I am in a sketchy inn off the highway until tomorrow when we go to the actual training place. Apparently it is even sketchier there but at least there is wifi. Currently, I am sitting in a public library I found to get wifi. Can you believe it, I hit Cali and I already search for a library? I am the only one from my company here and it is only 230 pm here. Everyone at work got a later flight but I was shafted because mine was booked later, newbie… But I did get a wonderful run in, something I didn’t think I would be able to do. 7.8 miles in 65 degree weather was a freaking treat. I have to admit though, I am feeling less than stellar after that direct six hour flight. Middle seat, two hogging arm rest guys surrounding me and a screaming baby behind me with no free tv. I was miserable.

On a more personal note, I had a rough night last night. Really rough night. Got only two hours of sleep before my 430 am wake up. I am not proud of my stupidity and it just confirms I need my own place asap. My parents don’t seem to understand my urgency and I keep begging them to understand I need to move out now. I can’t take back last night although I wish I could, I have to admit it is hard to move past it today. As I get ready for the longest four days of my life according to a co worker, I hope you enjoy the guests this week. They may be posted at random times due to the time change.

On a brighter note…. Got to say, I feel lucky to have a blog community with some rocking writers. Michelle’s blogs is one of my favorites so when she said she would guest post I was freaking excited.

Hi, I’m Michelle and I blog over at Blogitness. I’m extremely excited to be guest posting for Alex today! The Run Within is one of my must-read blogs. Alex is pretty much my “blog twin,” we have a lot of the same goals for blogging, have about the same amount of posts and pretty much just want to see our blogs growing and successful! Since Alex is a runner, I figured I’d touch on running…I’m semi-qualified to write this post – in just a few short days I’ll have my M.S. in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. While I am not an expert, here is my take on what to do when the weather is just a little warmer than you would like on race day.

I don’t think there is such thing as perfect race conditions. While everyone may have a different ideal of what is perfect for them, most runners probably don’t expect to running in their perfect conditions. Since a majority of races are held in the Fall and Spring, most runners are normally not concerned with running in 80-degree temperatures or higher. Since we can’t control mother nature, here are some things you can do to make the most of a sweaty situation:

• Train outdoors. Don’t run for your treadmill if the temperatures are unusually high. Aim to train outdoors for 2-3 weeks before your event. This was you’ll be prepared for the elements and not used to running pretty in the air conditioning. Don’t be afraid to break a sweat!
• Get plenty of rest. Start the day off strong by making sure you get plenty of rest the night before your race. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep.
• Avoid caffeine, weight-loss pills and supplements before a race. They can interfere with your metabolic rate, making your feel hotter than you should.
• Dress the part. Wear light colors and moisture wicking fabrics. Opt for a tank top and shorts.
• Stay hydrated, but don’t overhydrate. Regardless of how much you are sweating, do not overdo it on the water. Don’t stop for a drink at every station. Consuming too much water can actually hold you back when it comes to achieving your goals. Too much hydration can make you feel nauseous and vomit. Yuck!
• Don’t hesitate to slow down if you need to. Run at a slower pace. When it’s hot and humid outside, your heart has to work harder to maintain blood pressure to your vital organs as well as your muscles and skin. This can reduce the flow of oxygen to your brain. Lack of oxygen to the brain can lead to fatigue, loss of peripheral vision, fainting or dizziness.

When it comes to running outside, remember to put your health first! Extreme temperatures can make beating your personal best difficult. Remember, there will always be other races. You need to make sure you are healthy enough to run them!

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