There are some very hot temperatures here in Norman, Oklahoma this week where the highs hover around 100 or so. With my work schedule having me work mostly evenings, I have to run in the morning but even trying to beat the heat at that point in the morning can be difficult around here. I thought that shade would help me out so I planned a route out to the OU XC course hidden away off of Highway 9.
I laced up the shoes and headed out around 8:30am after chugging water and the ceremonial poptart I was out the door. The heat was not all that bad to begin with but once I neared the trailhead into the course, I started feeling it. The heat of 86-90 at 8 in the morning can be very daunting for running effectively. I pushed up the little inclines of the course and trotted up and down the barren clay surface. After 2 loops of each a mile a piece or so, I was in desperate need of water. I made the effort to push 2 more loops as the sweat was glistening on my body and the heat of the sun began to bake me like some fresh oatmeal cookies.
After the two loops, I was 47 minutes into the run so I headed for a water spicket at this huge church on the other side of Highway 9 maybe about half a mile from the trailhead. I crawled to the spicket and began to pour the cold water all over my head and body.
At this point I just wanted to finish the run and finish I did in 79 minutes and about 12 miles of effort. The heat really makes training difficult as I am highly considering somewhere that is much cooler than here to live at in the near future.
It is times like this I wish I lived in the mountains!
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