Although we enjoyed somewhat of a break in the ridiculous heat that much of the country has been struggling with, it was still a humid 75 degrees at 5 am when I headed out for yesterday’s 12 miler. I knew my usual running routes would leave me suffering, swearing and probably cutting my run short: something I DO NOT want to do in the second week of Marine Corps Marathon training. Since I’d milled all of this week’s shorter runs, I really wanted to get out.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. I took to some deeply-shaded trials instead. I’d not run them in years, and then only a time or two. Mostly I biked here with the Caveman in pre-wedding days.
The trails were nice and dry since we haven’t had rain in eons. Few other runners were out to start but mountain bikers were: some friendly, most not. To add to the excitement and intrigue, I took a ‘wrong’ turn and ended up lost…sort of…for the next few miles. My damn hip started grinding between miles 6 and 9 so there was some walk action there…mosquitoes love walking, just saying…so those intervals did not last long. My hip finally behaved for the final miles. Overall it was a pleasant experience and I think I’ll be coming back to these trails more often.
I neglected to take any pics of the trails but here’s my sweaty, happy-to-be-done self afterward.
Are you changing up your routine to deal with the heat?
Do you run on trails regularly?
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Nice job in getting out there! I love your shades as well! 🙂 If it is really hot and I am not feeling like dealing with it, I’ll mill it. There were lots of trails back in Upstate NY where I grew up and lived up until about a year ago but now I am in Central NJ and there are not a lot around me. There is the D&R canal towpath which has a lot of shade but I run like crap most times when I am on the path for some reason. Happy Monday! 🙂
I love trails, but my pace is so much slower (hard to believe it can be slower than it is on the road since it’s at pathetic slow there, but it is even worse on the trails). I do love them though. I also love my treadmill in my nice AC cooled basement :).
No mosquito issues here but the other day on the trails the horse flies were killing me slowly. I have 4 big welts on my back and back of my legs. Hate those suckers.
You look adorable, really!! Love you tons!
I have never ran on the trails before but should try it! I have having to get up and out on my runs much earlier than I would like to but it’s well worth it. This week is going to be a hot one so I am not sure how this week will work out.
I love trail running, but I’m not very good at it – I fall. A lot. But I do enjoy those random, spur of the moment, get a little lost, kinda runs. And I always feel so good about it afterwards! Sounds like you had a great run (but sorry about the hip).
We love to run on trails, not really to beat the heat but just to change it up. We get bored easily!
I’m glad your run went well, sorry about your hip and the mosquitoes!
Today we had a break in the heat – and I think I was shivering at 70 degrees before I started running. Not normal.
Trail runs are the best – so much shade. Nice to get our there after milling it.
Great job getting in your mileage! So impressed that you were able to drag yourself out that early:)
I love running trails. Basically I alternate road marathons with trail 50Ks to give my body and mind a break and I get to enjoy the scenery!! 🙂
Oh man do the bugs love walkers! I’ve stopped walking Bungee almost completely in favor of running her to avoid the bugs.
I love trail runs! Nice job getting out there in the heat.
LOVE the trails! and i smiled at your comment about the mountain bikers. i always just try to be nice and some smile…some look at me like I should try to not exist on their trail any more. ummm okay!?! haha! i hit the trails this morning definitely so I could get a later start but still enjoy the shade! the roads make things tough in the heat! eeeek! glad you pushed through a great run!
I’ve been sweating out on the road, just trying to get up earlier and earlier in the morning. Sounds like I need to find some trails to run!
Shoot, I wish there were more trails around me, I would be on them much more. Probably the reason why I suck at racing on them 🙂
You look pretty happy in that picture! I’m excited for you to get to run in the MCM, it’s such a GREAT RACE! You’re gonna love it!
Hope your hip is okay–sometimes these pains come out of nowhere. I’ve been dealing with a sore shin, so I’m doing lots of biking and swimming which works well in this heat anyway. 🙂
Since my runs are all so short right now (but at least they are runs), all I have to do to avoid the heat is get up reasonably early!
I hope the weather’s starting to improve a little for you. Marathon training isn’t so much fun when it’s stinking hot. The trail running sounds great – apart from the bugs and the hip issues. And there’s the extra added bonus of the positive effect on metal health that being right out in nature brings.
Good idea with the trails. It’s been oppressively hot here. My last two runs turned into run a mile and a half, then walk home to avoid heat stroke.
I love running trails, but I’m bummed about the unfriendly mountain bikers you encountered. How hard is it to be nice to a runner?
My hot weather training routine has been…avoidance. 🙁 I’m so out of the habit and having a hard time getting back in. I’m meeting a friend to run tomorrow morning, though, so hopefully I’m on my way back!
P.S. Finally below 100 here! 🙂
I need a trail
it is not even 9 and already above 90
I hate going inside when I have a few hours without the kids while they go to camp in the morning.
so for now I go slow and shorter. because i have had an injury for the last month I have not gone over 5 miles in the heat.
i’ve been wanting to go on a trail run to escape the heat but still haven’t done it. instead, i’m running slower, and running earlier or later. or just getting on the treadmill.
I am going to make it a point to run more trails this summer…there are tons around me I just have to make the effort.