Happy Friday my fit friends! This week has been kind of “zooey” as we started school before Labor Day for the first time ever. We had a few rough, coffee filled wake ups this week for sure. With Labor Day being the official end of summer, I thought it the perfect time to assess my what I learned from summer running.
What I learned from Summer Running
I don’t like it
Really, I did not enjoy running this summer. Yup this mother runner and MRTT chapter leader really just did not enjoy most of my outdoor running this summer. I really struggled with the heat and humidity this year and just felt like I was dragging myself through so many of my runs. Knowing that my friends were out there waiting for me helped get me there for sure.
I lost some running speed
Doing shorter runs all summer had consequences I kept up my cardio and endurance by doing lots of biking and swimming but my current run pace is about a minute slower per mile than it was at the start of summer. My run leg of the triathlon races I did this summer were much harder than previous years.
Embraced my love of biking
I cycled way more this summer than in previous years and came to really enjoy it. The heat and humidity did not seem to bother me as much on my bike. I was happy to see improvements in all of my bike and swim times this summer.
I love running in the rain
The few times that I did run in the rain, I really kind of liked it. The rain kept me much cooler and my pacing was better. Go figure!
It really doesn’t matter
Now that summer is winding down and the temps are starting to drop just a bit, I am already feeling so much better out there on my runs. I know that taking it easy this summer with my runs won’t make a bit of difference in the “long run”. I really enjoyed all the other fitness activities I did and that’s what is important to me. I have to love what I am doing or it’s not happening. Time to stop beating myself up over it too. I have signed up for a bunch of 10K’s the next few months that I am really looking forward to. More on my current running status tomorrow on the Ultimate Coffee Date. You will be joining Coco and I right? See you there!
What did you learn this summer about running/fitness/workouts?
linking up w Friday Five
Fairytales & Fitness and Running on Happy
Summer running is pretty challenging! Its great that you were able to enjoy biking this summer. Training in the summer always makes fall running feel SO good!
I am so looking forward to fall running it’s my favorite season
Totally agree, you got to love what your doing or why do it. Sounds like you had a great summer of workouts regardless of running. I also learned that running in the rain is kind of fun!
It really can be!
I really enjoyed not being in training for anything this summer! I did that half in July, but other than that, I just enjoyed running. It feels good. This summer was so fun for me.
You did seem to have lots of fun this summer! I did too but it was not all about running for me for a change
I wouldn’t mind running in the rain during a summer run either! I didn’t have many of them though.
We get crazy rain here sometimes! It feels good to cool off
I LOVE running in the rain, and I rarely get to do that in LA… I learned that inserts in my shoe really do make a difference for plantar fasciitis… I’ll continue to use them
which kind of inserts do you wear? I was using them for a while and then I did not think they made a difference
I think it’s called sure foot…
Thanks I will check those out PF is the worst!
I definitely slowed down a bit this summer! I do love running in the scorching heat, but I have to accept I just won’t be as fast. So I’ve just kind of been plodding along the past couple months. Now that work has started again, I run in the morning, where it is definitely a lot cooler, but I haven’t been bringing my Garmin so I don’t know if I am faster and at this point I can’t tell!
My trainer kept telling me to ditch the watch and just run but I couldn’t do it! You are smarter than I am
I ran much less this summer too. Can’t say I missed it but I am just about ready to get back to it!
I am too! The weather has been much better for it this week
Aw man! Hate summer running?
I’ve been out for almost 6 weeks with this broken elbow… hoping to get approval to go back next week.
Fingers crossed for you!
I totally agree with you about not liking summer running. This summer seemed worse than last year because of the humidity. I’m happy that Fall is right around the corner!
Me too! I don’t know how you have done all of these long runs
I think we all need to realize that ultimately, we are running for ourselves. We aren’t curing cancer. If you love or hate summer running, do what works for you–embrace it or say, naw, I’ll wait for fall!
Yes I totally agree. I have to remember that
I’m surprised your pace dropped — maybe it just have to do with summer? I definitely am slower in the heat (well, sometimes I’m slower when it’s cooler, too).
As I told Rachel, my tempos really kind of sucked the last few weeks. But the one easy run I’d run by myself later in the week always seemed to be faster than usual. No idea what it all means, but I’ve already had a good year of running so what will be will be!
Have a great weekend, Deborah, and see ya tomorrow! 😉
I definitely was hating the humidity this summer so much! Feeling so much better this week with the drop in temps
I did not run as many miles in summer months but ran two pretty fast 5k races. I was really pleased my speed picked up over the summer, but I did not run over 5 miles much. Maybe a couple of 6 milers at the beginning. Even though I’m not able to run right now, I’m looking forward to running in cooler temps soon!
Yes me too!
You must be so excited for running this fall! I also love running in the rain. Feels so therapeutic! Thanks for sharing your reflection 🙂
I can’t wait for the cooler temps!
I read your title and said out loud – ‘It SUCKS!”
Then I read your number one – apparently we all feel the same.
Yes we do! Bring on fall 🙂
Summer running definitely reminded me that the heat and humidity will slow you down, whether you like it or not. There’s no way around it, no matter how hard you try. Hopefully us pushing through this summer will lead to some speedy runs for us this fall. Fingers crossed!
I hope so! You did a great job getting in your long runs despite the humidity
That’s the ONE part of being injured I didn’t mind. I was in the pool on some really hot days that would’ve been awful for running. I love that you biked so much!
Yes swimming is so great in August. I just realized that I had my highest bike mileage ever this month. Now ready for fall running
I used to love running in the rain too Not so much the soggy feet, but just the coolness and almost peacefulness of it.
Yes I totally agree and it looks like I am going to get another chance on Saturday morning 🙂
I think you still had a stellar summer! Like you said, you dominated in your swimming and cycling, and those were priorities anyways, so you did exceptional. So what if the running was not a big deal…we all need a break from stuff to focus on other things, and I believe (like you) it all balances out in the end.
You are just the best! I am already starting to feel better about the running. I know you are going to be in great shape when you get the green light to run again.
Hahaha, at least you’re honest that you don’t like it!! But your first headline totally made me LOL. 🙂
Tell it like it is! 🙂
I learned I’m happy with the decision not to train for a marathon this summer. I’m not sure I could have gotten through it. I had zero runs in the rain but I did have a long ride in the rain. It was the best ride I had all summer!
I am so glad that I did not need to train for a long race during the summer either!
Ugh, heat and humidity is the worst part of summer.
It sure is! Bring on fall
It’s been hot and humid much of the summer here, and so many times I really did not feel like running. Most of my runs were shorter than they should have been, and I’ve gotten to the point where I may just like biking more than running!
That is exactly how I have felt the whole month of August! Bring on the cooler temps
“Ditto” to all of these! Ready for Fall ….That is all! 🙂
Right there with you!
Some of my best runs have been run dates in the rain with my husband. There’s just something about it.
There really is!
i did some outdoor yoga this summer….and realized that i need to find a cool spot. also, i need to hydrate myself better.
Yes I definitely need to be better about hydrating for longer events
I’m totally with you on all of this! I do not like running in the Summer either, the heat really gets to me!! I do tend to spend more time on my bike during the hot months as well. YAY for Fall 🙂
I definitely spent way more time on my bike and loved it!
When i first moved to Florida I blamed my slow paces on summer running, unfortunately that wasn’t true…..it was me. I will say that the hot humid weather does play a part on you slowing down……..
I think it was a combination of both really!
I learned that you run slower in the summer because it helps keep your body cooler given how much hotter it is outside. At least that’s what I was told when I was running outside in the God awful heat of summer in Florida.
But it will totally help you come fall race season! Great job!!
I sure hope so!! Thanks
I’ve learned that I have to get u as early as possible if I want to run. Otherwise, the weather was unbearable for running! Don’t you find it challenging to run in the rain?
I find it way more challenging to run in the early morning. The rain kind of keeps me cool.