It’s summer! I can tell from the oppressive heat and damning humidity outside. Last time we hit the mid-nineties power was failing all over the grid as people sought the comfort of the Gods of Air Conditioning. Luckily, my house was exempt and I was able to wallow away the day in stagnant, recycled air. I’m not generally a fan of closing up the windows. I feel I get enough of that during the nine months of Winter up here. But, the wife and daughter need it, so I make the contention without too much complaint. Anyway, today I’m applying all this to the running lifestyle.
In my humble opinion (imho), running in the heat is all a matter of perspective. I’ve always liked the heat. Not sure why. Maybe some of my ex’s are right and I’m actually from hell! But honestly, I think people hate running in most extreme conditions mainly because of perspective. People think running in the heat and humidity is going to suck, thus it sucks.
Resolved: A proper mind-set can make anything not only doable, but enjoyable.
I read an article a while back that said the very act of having a smile on your face can make you happy. In other words, my forcing yourself to smile and to stay smiling, you can positively affect your mood, change it to one of positivity and happiness. I can’t verify this one way or another, but from time to time, when I’m in an especially foul mood, I give it a try. It can’t hurt to try to be in a good mood, can it?
So how does all this translate to running? Well, like I said, I’ve always liked running in the heat and humidity. Oddly enough, my run time gets faster in the extreme heat! I’m not sure why, but I have a theory. My theory involves hills. You see, I’ve also always loved running up hills. I know, I know, I may be a masochist! But, I see it as a challenge. In the Marines they compounded this by compounding this challenge with cadence. “Up the hill… Fuck the hill… Little hill… No pain…. No gain…” This, of course, sounds better in cadence and with sing-song. So, I’ve always attacked hills with gusto. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let this hill kick my ass.” You need to walk? You walk going down the hill. There’s plenty of downhill to rest.
Now I know hills are not easy. I know they are physically harder then running on a flat surface, but yet I want to attack them. The only logical reason for me enjoying them is my state of mind. This can just as easily be turned toward the heat and humidity. Every time the temperature goes up, the treadmills inside fill up. No, not me. I’m attacking this day and making the heat pay for daring to challenge my pride! For that reason alone I look forward to the mid-nineties and ninety percent humidity. Are they easy? Hell no! I feel the cramps and pain as much as the next person, but when I finish I feel better about myself and my abilities. So what do you think? Can a positive mental imagine impact your activities or is it all happenstance?
Until next time, trying to be honest with myself and the world.
Time Out: 1207 Time In: 1239
Distance: 2.67 miles
Walks: 4! Inhaler Use: 1
Songs:
Plus One Per Diem Live Show
Breakfast:
Yesterdays Calorie Intake:
Bagel, plain; 250
Lunch:
Bag of Cheetos; 160
2 slices of small frozen pizza; 300
2 small pieces of cheese bread; 250
Weird Old Chicago pasta thingy; 250
Dinner:
Mac & Cheese, 1 serving; 259 Calories
1 Slice of Dominoes Pizza; 390 Calories
½ Cheese Bread Dominoes Pizza; 300 Calories
3 Glasses of Cool Aid; 133 Calories
Total Intake: 2,292
Total Expended:
Sedentary Activity Level; 2,300
Running: 467
Total Expended: 2,767
In: 2,292
Out: 2,767
Net: -475
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