I just returned home last week from a mini-vacation in Arizona. One of our nieces got married, and we went to cheer her on. It was an incredibly meaningful and sacred wedding, Erin was the definition of radiant, and her husband, David, was lit from within with joy. We were so glad to be a part of the celebration, and really enjoyed meeting the couple's friends and David's extended family. We are so happy for the new Mr. and Mrs. Plummer!
I had never been to Arizona before, and coming from lush, green North Carolina, the terrain gave me quite an environmental shock. I have always imagined deserts as smooth white sand. No. Not there, at least. It was more like...ummm....regular dirt with some scrubby bushes scattered around. Not nearly as romantic as I'd pictured. Not bad, just different.
And hot. We were there during a record heat spell. It was 99 degrees the day of the wedding. Whooee. I went running twice, and let me tell you, heat does take the perkiness out of me. I "glowed" all over Tucson. ("Glow" is the Southern Belle term for perspiration.) But it's that dry heat you've heard so much about, so it evaporated immediately, leaving me like Lot's wife -- a long, tall salt lick.
We saw some cool sights, though. Prairie dogs were everywhere. They looked like tailless squirrels to me. I swear one was chasing me as I ran through the rose garden in the park. I really had to be careful I didn't step in a hole.
We also saw some giant saguaro cacti. It was really interesting -- birds flew in and out of multiple holes in them. There were a lot of other cacti too. I almost leaned up against one that looked like a tree while I was taking a panting, gasping break from running. Thankfully, we did NOT see any scorpions or tarantulas.
We may have seen some dancing elephants, since we spent a lot of time out by the gorgeous pool, sipping some refreshing drinks. It was good to have some down time and relax for a few days.
My half marathon is coming up May 19. After running only a total of 8 1/2 miles in Tucson, I am really beginning to worry about how I am going to manage 13.1 in the humid North Carolina heat. Any tips or advice from anyone?
Epilogue:
I just learned that May 19 is also the date for my son's prom. He is our last child; this is his first prom. It's really important that we be here. We don't want to miss it -- and yet, I've trained so hard for this half. The race is 4 hours away from where we live. I'm going to see if I can manage to do both -- run the race, leave as soon as I finish, and get back home in time for pictures. Maybe I can change into SuperSpeedyMom!! Has anyone else been faced with this kind of dilemma, and if so, what did you do?
Never been faced with that but I will be praying for you to be able to do both! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I'm praying, trying to figure out what would be the best thing to do...what a choice! I hope I can do both.
ReplyDeletePatsy, Carla's mom here.
ReplyDeleteMy life-saver in all runs (BUT ESPECIALLY THOSE ON HOT, HUMID DAYS) is a loooong tube sock filled with ice cubes that I can tie around my neck, OR tuck under each of my sportsbra straps to hang across my chest OR across my back. I take it to the race in a little swinger icechest. At the last minute, after drinking water, bathrooming, checking sock smoothness and shoe laces, etc, my husband takes my excess "stuff" back to the car and I have my icecube sock in my hand. I have attached a shoestring to each end so I can tie it if desired. The open end I leave so I can reach it easily to either take out cubes to hydrate myself OR drop cubes under my arms into my sportsbra. Since body temp rises so much by the time you have run even a mile, this REALLY helps.
I have tried purchased belts that you put in the freezer, etc....but NOTHING works so well for me. Without this trusty companion, I doubt I could run. Even on my YMCA Reindeer Run, it keeps me from having to stop at the water station. Hope you don't mind my commenting.
Also, if you have a wonderful driver for the 4 hours, then take a pillow and stretch out as much as possible in the back seat on your return drive, so your muscles won't cramp up. Then soak in an Epsom Salts bath as long as time allows before you start taking your Prom Pics. Warmest wishes and luv, ruth
Hi Ruth, thanks for the great advice!! I was going to buy one of those freezer belts, but am so glad you told me about the sock idea. That does sound so much better. I really like that I could have a cube whenever I need one too. I get so hot anyway, even when it's cold out. Yes, my husband will be driving but we're bringing my mom and her dog back, so our car will be full -- lying down will be out. At any rate, if the weather is going to be too hot and humid, I'm scrapping the whole thing. I am terrible at running when it's too hot -- I'm a wimp. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you commented. I would love to hear more from you in the future. Hope you will keep reading and check back in with me again.
By the way, you have a wonderful daughter! I am so glad that we have become friends. She is quite an inspiration (and has the most adorable children too.)
U must live on the East coast if my e-mail went thru at 4:34 a.m.--cuz I was not up that early??
ReplyDeleteYou will eventually be able to guess about how MANY ice cubes to take. Best to take too many, than too FEW. They will all melt, sometimes even 2-3 miles into a race, but they help keep my temp down even on a cold day. You can always pitch some over on the shoulder if u find u have too many and won't need them.
One more rec: Air-e-ator running socks. I think they are made mostly for cyclists, but they are the BEST for not wrinkling and causing callouses or sore spots. Made by deFeet, and they also have SPEEDe MD stitched beside DeFeet on the sole of the sock. Expensive, but worth it. luv, ruth
Lol, yes, I live in NC. I am already scheming at how to make one for myself, and I can't imagine throwing away any ice. I know me :)
ReplyDeleteI will check out those socks. Have you ever tried Experia? I really like those! Have a couple pairs and they are always the ones I am searching for in my drawer.
I used to do road races when I was younger and loved them :) I haven't run for anything other than exercise or fun in years though. I was lucky that I did most of my runs where the weather was cool, even here when the humidity gets high I run in the morning to avoid it! New follower from circle of moms, I look forward to your future posts!
ReplyDeletehttp://wvfrugal-wvsaver.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you found me!! The heat and humidity do me in....Ruth, who commented above, gave me some good tips that I'm going to try. Races are so much fun, you should do one again!! Age doesn't matter -- I'm 53 and love them. Again, so glad to meet you!
DeleteIt there's anything that can prevent me from going for a run it's heat. I run through snow, icy rain, mud, kids, anything. But heat can really do me in.
ReplyDeleteI am exactly the same way! I ran my first 10k back in January in the NC mountains. It was in the low 40s and poured rain the entire time. I loved it! But the least little heat and humidity makes me feel like I'm going to keel over within the first couple of miles. I like your comment about running through kids -- I can visualize them scattering like bowling pins, lol!!
DeleteWell I get the joy of living in AZ, and exercising from may through October is super not fun here! People look at me funny when I am only in a tiny tank top and shorts in the winter, but I'll take all the cold I can get since it doesn't last long here! It is so nightmarish to run here in the summer, even at 5am it can be 90 degrees! I really despise the heat!
ReplyDeleteI hear that, Carie! I am yearning for fall so that I can go outside and run again. I think I hate the treadmill as much as I hate the heat! Btw, did you read my post, "Is That Boo Radley Hiding Behind My Door?"? You'll love the description of how I look when I run...and I have to admit, yes, it's true. The heat destroys me....
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by and I hope you come back often!!