It is that time again! I am “Runfessing” on an uncertain race season. I’ve got a lot of questions about how to train this year and how to stay injury free while doing it. Thanks to Marcia for the March 2021 Runfessions.
Runfessing on an uncertain race season
I Runfess…I am not certain on how to train for races that are still uncertain. When I wrote about the importance of having a backup plan or 2 earlier this week, I was really thinking about my own training. Normally, I would be gearing up to be running The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and/or a spring half marathon. That race is now moved to September. Coming off of a great (for me) season of winter running, I am disappointed not to have my April race options.
I Runfess…I know that training for an April race is a lot different than training for a September race. The summers here are very humid and hot and normally not my most stellar running time. Training for an early September race here in DC will require lots of long runs in August. A time when I usually back down my mileage and opt for cycling and swimming. I am a little nervous about how that will all play out this summer but I am committed to giving it my all and getting it done. Stay tuned for lots of heat and humidity complaints this summer.
I Runfess...I am starting to plan a few summer trips that will give me some reprieve from our humid temp and hopefully allow me to get some longer runs in cooler spots. The things we do for run training right? I think I need to make friends with someone in Alaska and move in with them in August.
I do realize that may all sound a little nutty to some. But, I know you all get me and my crazy running logic. Thanks for letting me bare my “soles”. Hope to “see you” for the Ulitmate Coffee Date next week.
100% agree with you that summers make training for fall races a challenge! I have trained for many fall races and yeah, those long runs are tough. Complain away!
Oh I am sure I will! 🙂
Alaska???? That would be a NO for me LOL That will be odd to run the Cherry Blossom with an absence of cherry blossoms, but at least the race is still happening. The heat can be tough, but training through it does make race day a bit easier….
We shall see! I sure hope so
It is so hard to figure out how to train. My marathon moved to the end of October. That’s right on the borderline for heat here, which means I’ll be going my longest runs in August and September. NOT a great time because while it’s not humid here it’s freaking hot even very early in the morning. I need to meet your Alaska friend! 🙂
sounds like you and I need to both head to Alaska for August! It is going to be challenging for training this year!
Okay, we can commiserate over the heat and humidity! It’s already ramping up here. There’s a blogger in Alaska (The Runner’s Plate) – maybe she’ll put us all up in August! Ha ha, I’m sure she’d love that!
ha ha I may have to befriend her!
I agree it’s a real buzzkill to be running so well only to have any spring races postponed. Summer training is a tough beast. Alaska in August is fantastic! I so wanna go there again!
Sounds like a good plan to me!
Oh I so understand about not wanting to do long training runs in August – humidity is my kryptonite!
Same here! I expect to be complaining about it soon
I’ve been questioning my race plans too because a fall race is much more likely than anything sooner but the summer weather will be brutal! On the other hands its nice to train with some more daylight. It was humid this morning which got me thinking about how rough the summer will be.
That is exactly where my thinking is right now
Even if the race is just for fun, I always consider how training will go in whichever season. It does make a difference! I have done a lot of Fall halfs, so I’ve trained through a lot of summers but ours aren’t anywhere near as bad as yours.
Good luck, Deborah! You’ve got your group — you can do this!
I know I can do it but I just might complain the whole way! 🙂
I feel your pain. Spring races are impossible to find in our area, so I’ve been trying to figure out some options in Philly in May or June. I love running in the fall, but training in the summer is so tough! But I know you’ll do great!
We are in the same position here as you are. Everything is in the fall. We will both figure it out
I was just reading that Alaska is going to be a hot (cool?) vacation destination — better book now! FWIW, I think long bike rides help some with conditioning for running, so maybe you can do a moderate training plan with a long bike ride if you do have to train in the heat in August.
I was only half joking about Alaska! I do love long bike rides in the summer but I do not think they get me in the same shape as running. I do need to get my bike out and tuned up!
I love the Cherry Blossom 10-miler. I have done that race a bunch of times. I have so many wonderful memories of visiting D.C. with a bunch of friends. There are races happening here, but they are small ones. No big ones like the Cherry Blossom.
Alaska in August sounds awesome! I have a friend who is doing a marathon in Alaska in September, but by then, it has probably has cooled off a little bit where you live.
I was only really joking about Alaska but that would be fun!
Oh I know what you mean about training in the Summer. We also get those hot and humid days. We can complain together. 🙂
Yes, I am sure that we will
I’m just not going to run any real races this year and then I don’t have the training issue.
that said though, even here in the Netherlands, where our summers and mostly mild, it is challenging to run here in the summer sometimes! So in a way I am “training” myself to get up earlier and out the door in the morning in the summer, rather than during lunch!
When we went to Denmark for summer holiday it was PERFECT running weather! It’s much cooler up there than it is here! I’d love to spend the hottest period up there! Maybe we can with this work from home gig 😉
I am going to just suck it up and become an earlier morning runner this summer! Remind me that I said that
Training for the unknown can be such a challenge, especially in the summer when it is hot and humid. Hopefully fall races will be in person.
Yes exactly summer running is not my favorite
Are you still doing wineglass in the fall?
It will be stranger to have the Cherry Blossom race without cherry blossoms.
I do train during the summer but ours are not as hot as yours. But I did choose my only marathon that was in Nov so my long runs would be in the fall not summer.
You got this!! Just take it slow.
yes I am doing wine glass this year! The CB 10 miler is 3 weeks before so great training
Training in the heat and humidity is kind of our thing here. It’s hard, but we don’t have much control over it. I am all about giving grace through the worst of summer and hoping for the best for fall races.
sounds like a good plan to me!