Humidity Hell!

Yesterday I decided to start my training for the Chicago Marathon. My goal was to run around White Rock Lake, a distance of almost 9 miles. I figured that would be a good start. It was a great day - sunny, a few clouds, and a little breeze. What I didn't account for was the humidity!

When I started my run, it was 85 degrees at 4:00 PM. I should have clued in to the fact that there weren't a lot of "runners" on the path. Guess they were the wise ones. I started off up a steep hill, just to get it over with in the beginning, and when I crested I could tell I was having trouble catching my breath. I figured it was just because it was a hill, and I hadn't really run anything serious in about 2 weeks (except for a 4-miler last week).

Well, my breathing was labored and I struggled with it for the first mile. I checked my pace and it was 9.42/mile. Maybe that's why I was having a hard time. I slowed down, but still was having trouble.

After 2 miles I got irritated and thought it was possibly all of the cottonwood seeds floating around. The breeze had died down significantly, and it was getting pretty dang hot. Around the 2.5 mile mark, I realized I just didn't "have it" today. Sheepishly, I turned around. And started walking so that I could catch my breath.

Well, once you start walking, it's hard to start back up. I went through a series of walk-run-walk until I reached my truck. Anyway, tonight I'm going to the gym and will see what I can do on the treadmill.

Luckily, I spoke with Becky and she had the same problems running yesterday, too. So, I don't feel as bad... but I still am irritated.