After a few weeks of cooler weather, this week I had to deal with the return of the heat. Just when my runs were feeling more comfortable and I was getting more confident I felt like this was a setback. I’ve learned during this training cycle how much the heat impacts me, but now my concern is that it will be warm on race day. I guess the good news is that I trained through the heat all summer, so I’ll be prepared for it. But I was really counting on some cooler weather to make running feel a bit easier at this point in the season!
Monday: Strength Training + 4 Treadmill Miles
Nothing special here. My strength workouts are much easier this week and next week, and I won’t lift at all the week before the race.
Tuesday: 5 Miles Easy w/Strides
Got outside for some easy miles and finished up with some strides. My legs didn’t feel great. I assume it was due to the return of the heat as well as still recovering from my peak week last week.
Wednesday: 8 Miles with 3 x 1 Mile MP/1 Mile Threshold
This was my harder workout for the week. I started with 1 mile easy, then alternated a mile at MP with a mile at threshold pace. I really noticed the return of the heat on this one! But I got it done. Then my phone locked itself because I was so sweaty, so I didn’t take a post-run pic.
Thursday: Strength Training + 3 Treadmill Miles
I did a nice easy recovery run on the treadmill. It was kind of nice to avoid the heat! It also saves me some time when I’m lifting and running on the same day.
Friday: Rest Day
Went into the office and barely got in any steps!
Saturday: 16 Miles with last 6 at MGP
Well, the last 6 were not really at MGP. (Honestly, I don’t have a specific pace in mind but it’s around the 8:05-8:15 range, and I’ve been running MP miles more by feel this training cycle). I really struggled through this run thanks to the return of the heat. It was 70 degrees with 98% humidity when I started, and about the same when I finished.
For my MP miles they ended up ranging from 8:11-8:25, which isn’t too terribly far off. But they felt alot harder than I would have liked!
Sunday: Planning 4.5 Stroller Miles
Crossing my fingers that it cools off a bit! I’d like to get in about 4-5 miles on Sunday but we’ll see what happens.
While this was sort of my first week of taper, I only slightly reduced my mileage and kept up a similar intensity to what I have been doing. Next week will see even less mileage but I’ll still try to get in one workout mid week.
The Return of the Heat: Training Reflections
This week really showed me how much I have been affected by the weather this training cycle. It’s like night and day with how I feel when its cool vs hot. And the humidity plays a huge part too. With my race only 2 weeks away, I hope it cools off but it may not. Also, the start time is 8 am and I am usually done running before 7:30. I am prepared to adjust my race goals depending on how things look. And I may already by eyeing a plan B just in case.
You can find my other weeks of training here:
Surviving the Peak Week (Training Week 13)
Welcoming September (Training Week 12)
Embracing the Treadmill (Training Week 11)
Trying to Outrun the Rain (Training Week 10)
Back to Reality (Training Week 9)
Staycation 2021 (Training Week 8)
Closing Out July (Training Week 7)
Lower Mileage and Lower Temps (Training Week 6)
Runstock 2021 (Training Week 5)
Focus on Effort (Training Week 4)
Making Adjustments for Heat (Training Week 3)
Training for a Fall Race: Start Where You Are (Training Weeks 1 and 2)
Did you see a return of the heat this week?
Do you ever change your race goals based on the weather?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
I felt the impact of the warmer temps too. It makes a huge impact on my pacing. Hope it cools down and stays that way for both of us for race weekend
Yes, fingers crossed! At least the course I’m running is shaded, so that will help a little.
Definitely run according to the weather. And I have no tm.
Wed I got caught in a storm. 2 miles only.
I think you are doing great.
Its so tough when the weather doesn’t cooperate! Glad you were still able to get out and get your runs done!
There have been times I didn’t change my race goals due to weather — and I definitely should have! Yesterday was really gross. Today was much nicer. Fingers crossed that you get good weather for your race.
I’ve also been very surprised at some PRs I’ve managed to pull off in hot & humid conditions. NOLA was one of those surprises — to this day, I’ve no idea where I pulled that one from, LOL!
I guess you never really know what will happen on race day!
Yeah, that’s tough. Hopefully in two weeks it will be cooler- but there’s no guarantee. At least if it is hot, you’ll know you’ve trained in heat. But it would be nice to have it cool enough to really run your best. Well, fingers crossed! Nothing else we can do.
Exactly! Thanks!
Ugh, I totally hear you. I don’t want summer to end, yet the cooler morning temps we’ve had in Minneapolis have definitely made a difference. I hope you get some of this weather heading your way! (Well, except today, it’s back up to 90 and humid!)
The weather has just been all over the place lately! Hopefully we all get some cooler weather for fall races soon!
The return of the humidity was not fun at all! It definitely made my 10K yesterday a lot harder. Hopefully, this is just a fluke and the cooler temps will return.
It was definitely a challenging weekend for running!
It was really nice all week but today is so hot! The cooler air is right around the corner again and it’s going to really cool down. Just think of how good you’re going to run when it does cool off!
I keep trying to tell myself that! Hopefully soon!
You are wise (as is any runner LOL) to change your goals if the weather is off the charts. Hopefully, Momma N will bless you with a good day for your race. After a pretty cool week, this past week was kind of a mix of summer and fall…cool fall-like temps in the mornings, and hot summer-like temps in the afternoons. The weekend felt more like a return to summer, which is alright with me 😉
I guess I really just hope its not super humid on race day! I think thats whats really been getting to me.
It was warmer here this past week as well, although it was cooler in the early mornings. Today we are pressing up on 90, although they say that after today we won’t see temps like this until next spring. I definitely adjust my race goals if the weather is going to be hot. The heat really takes a toll on me.
All the best with the rest of your taper!
I really hope this is the last of the heat and humidity until next spring!
Yep, same change to warmer weather here after a nice cool week before. I’m ready for cooler, but not cold weather.
Happy tapering!
I’m definitely not ready for the cold yet either! Hopefully we can ease into it with some cooler weather first.
I am hoping that this was the last week of heat for a while! Since Fall officially starts next week, maybe we will be blessed with cooler weather (fingers crossed).
That would be great! Definitely crossing my fingers!
The heat really impacts me too. I do think it will break soon — after all, it will officially be fall this week!
good luck with your tapering!
Thanks! It already seems like this week will be much better than last week!
It’s been hot this whole time, but now we are finally having a cool streak. It’s delightful, and I’m so gratetful.