I am trying something new this summer. Wearing clothes. That’s right, even though it is 4,000 degrees here, I’m staying covered up. Now, y’all KNOW I would run in less than I do if it was legal. Good golly Pete it just gets so hot here. And once your dry-wicking clothes are soaked, well, they don’t do much good. Heck, I’d run around shirtless all the time if I didn’t think my friends would shun me. Evidence I don’t wear clothes – here and here. Also, evidence that I eat crap when I run long. It’s a good system.
Welp, I’ve got this little race coming up in October that the locals like to call the Chicago Marathon. And the past few years it’s been a little warm for the race. I figured I’d take advantage of my heat training here and just ramp it up a bit. So I’m going to train in a shirt. (You’re welcome, neighbors) Not even a tank, but a full on shirt with sleeves and a neck. I know, crazy talk! So last night I put on my new shirt from my last race and not only is it HUGE but it’s pretty thick. And I sweated like a glass of ice tea on the patio in July. I just don’t know how the rest of the world runs in clothes but whatever.
Gotta love a giant race shirt.
I’m also covering up more for cycling. I bought some UV protective arm sleeves because I am one brown bunny and it’s still early in June. Yes, I still apply sunscreen liberally, but this extra coverage will hopefully keep my arms from turning to leatha. They are supposed to keep me cooler but I’m not sure that is the case. They don’t seem to make me hotter anyway. Oh yeah, I wore them Saturday when I headed to Dublin, TX with Mama C and Team K for their first rally. My frunners are all getting bicycles!
Mama C (thx for the pic) and Team K
It was so fun to share in their excitement! It was NOT fun getting but three hours of sleep. I drove to Fort Worth the night before for a concert and was out late. That’s me, I get up early and I go to bed late. Someday I’ll catch up on sleep, someday. Mama C graciously opened her house to me so I at least didn’t have to make the drive home Friday night. (and then back on Saturday)
They were great, yes they played my very favoritest of their songs and yes, I cried.
Such a girl.
We were treated to some cooler temps and the first part of the course had some great flats where I could stay in my big chain ring and really get a good cadence going. After the first aid station, we re-grouped and decided to stay together.
Mama C, ready to ride!
Mama C and EK, downing the Dr Pepper at an aid station.
And things went well. Until they didn’t. I got a flat. AGAIN. And we all know how incredibly slow I am at changing flats. I felt badly that I was holding up MK (Uh, EK and Mama C didn’t hear us hollering and left us in their dust) so when SAG came by and offered help, I agreed. Mistake. Here is what I know, my bike is my responsibility and I shouldn’t let anyone else work on it. I’m accustomed to SAG being some dude from the local bike shop (hey, remember me begging water off the BSG at Shiner?) who can change a flat in seconds. Not this time. I appreciate him volunteering, but I ended up changing my own tire after all, but not before he lost the nut to my pin. So, tire inflated, there was no getting it back on. I sent MK off to finish the last six miles and I hopped in the truck. And promptly noticed there were two curious donkeys about 25 feet from where I had been working. I missed donkeys! I’m just thankful it was me that had issues and not my friends. I didn’t want anything to spoil their first rally!
Fixing a flat on the flats.
Mama C had the BEST time! As soon as she rolled up to my car, she threw up her arms and demanded, “HUG ME!” I pink sparkle heart this woman.
She did it!
My amazing FIGJAM girls - great job, ladies!
Do you remember how you felt after your first rally?
oh man a tshirt! I'm such a wimp with the heat!! I'm so much of a wimp that I'd rather run on the dreaded treadmill with an A/C!
ReplyDelete"And I sweated like a glass of ice tea on the patio in July."...... awesome writing right there! I'm actually getting kinda fond of the heat and I usually quit running for a while when it's too hot........ we'll see if I can keep it up this summer!
ReplyDeleteAn old roommate of mine back in Florida only run with long sleeves on, even in the summer and I totally get it, avoiding the UV rays is tough, es evidenced by my raging burn right now. So are the sleeves you got thinner at least then say, zensah sleeves? I usually wear them to be warmer.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe how big that shirt is on you! When will the RD's ever learn?!?!
I like your idea of piling on the layers to help replicate heated conditions. Maybe I should do that at the gym because it's obviously nothing like outside right now.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is an awesome song! Love it!
I second what Susan said! Love that description. I waited a long time before I rode a rally. I always preferred long solo rides or shorter rides with a buddy or two. I received complimentary registration (media sponsor perk) for my first rally — the now-defunct Wish 100K. It rolled through Collin and Denton counties (cities of Plano, The Colony, Carrollton, Frisco, Allen) and it was awesome! Afterward, I felt ... tired! I didn't eat/drink enough (stopped at only one rest area and had one water bottle on my bike) and hit a wall. But I also was excited because it was so much fun riding with thousands of riders and scoping their high-end rides.
ReplyDeletetrying something new! wearing clothes! ahahahaha. it just made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteTraining in extra clothes sounds like a good idea - you can never be too prepared for a hot race day! Just don't bring out the fleece pants and sweat shirt or you might die. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been curious about the sleeves! Sorry bout that flat...I am a slow flat fixer too.
ReplyDelete