I knew running Rock n Roll Chicago this year was going to be a challenge as it took place hot on the heels of our epic summer vacay (stay tuned for the lowdown on that). Since this was not my first time flying in from Greece (hello 11 hour flight, + connection to a 2 hr flight) I knew there was plenty of room for glitches. Damn you flight delays.
While our vacay was amazing, the before and after was anything but. To make a long story short, long flight delays and missed connections meant I didn’t make it home until the wee hours of the next morning. Just a few hours before the race was to start. Should I be driving anywhere after 24+ hours of sleepless travel and a jet-lagged brain fog.
What is Jet Lag?
Jet lag occurs when your body clock is disrupted by rapidly changing time zones, as you would experience on an overseas flight. Common symptoms include fatigue, confusion and lack of awareness. The rule of thumb for jet lag recovery is one day for each time zone you traverse, so it can take awhile. The way one is affected by and recovers from jet lag is very individual.
Because Greece is 8 hours ahead and Dubai is 9, my body clock felt like it was early afternoon at 4am on race morning. Since I was wide awake, I figured moving would do my body some good after being cooped up on a plane so long. I decided staying home and doing my own version of RnRChi virtually was the wiser, safer option. Better to be there in spirit than not at all, right?
The day dawned cool. 71 degrees. That’s cool by Dubai standards anyway. It was 116 degrees there with 90% humidity. I’ll never complain about Chicago heat/humidity again. Okay yes I will. I knew the run was going to be a challenge so I wore my Heartzones heart rate monitor to be extra mindful of my heart rate. Read more about the benefits of heart rate training here.
To say I took it slow is an understatement. After the first couple of easy miles I started doing run/walk intervals. I could feel how dehydrated I was. The combination of heat, exhaustion and dehydration all result in an elevated heart rate. Certainly jet lag didn’t help. Already, I was grateful I opted not to drive down to the race. I was in no condition.
Massive storms came through the area while we were away and my favorite path was closed due to flooding. Time to reroute.
After 6 or 7 miles the run felt even harder. I considered heading home but visions of the Berlin Marathon danced in my head. I really needed the time on my feet. So I popped in some Run Gum and soldiered on. Slowly.
This was my first time trying Run Gum. It’s caffeinated in case you were wondering. It also contains Taurine and B Vitamins. While I found it to have a hint of bitterness to it, especially at first, I did get a nice boost from it. I would definitely consider carrying some for the latter miles of a half or full marathon.
I plodded on, driving the struggle bus and in the final 5k, the skies opened and drenched me in a heavy downpour. It actually felt very good, although I feared for my phone. I spent some time cowering under a canopy of trees before finally making my way to the end of 13.1. Probably the most difficult 13.1 I’ve ever run.
With the Berlin Marathon a mere 3 months away, I realize I’m going to have to be very careful with fuel, hydration and sleep to minimize the effects of the time zone difference.
Have you ever run with jet lag? Any tips for jet lag recovery?
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I’ve never run a race on jet lag that I know of — I’ve definitely run on jet lag on my own, though! The worst was my return from our Asian trip. I was SO tired at night – I was going to bed by 7 or 8 a few days! For me, it’s like anytime I’m tired – just gotta keep hydrated, fueled properly and run if I can. And listen to my body 🙂
Listening to your body is the way to go! Travel is exhausting, period. I can’t believe you got up and did your own half at home a 5K would have been enough for me! Can’t wait to hear more about the trip!
Wow, 116 degree! Do people even go outside over there?
I can’t even imagine running a half after all that travel! You crazy, girl! 😉 But in a good way, of course.
Which flavor of Run Gum did you try? I had cinnamon so far. It was good but very bitter. I’m looking forward to trying the others on my next long run.
Rachel I won all 3 flavors but I’ve only tried the fruit flavor so far. Yes, oddly bitter!
Way to rock out the virtual half, lady!
I lived in Germany for a while, and always got lucky coming back to the States. I picked flights that arrived around 6:00pm, enough time for me to grab dinner and visit with fam, then fall fast asleep. I was also in my early 20s, so there’s that.:P
Tiffany I never had problems flying West when we lived in England but that was only a 6 hr time difference. I think the 8hr difference plus all the delays put me over the edge this time.
I sure missed you on Sunday. I needed Thelma to my Louise for the epic adventure I had!
Wow, what an adventure coming back home. That’s the thing with traveling that you never know how it will go. Glad you and your family had a great time and got here safely.
A few summers ago we had back to back European and Asian trips. It was tough going for about a week afterwards but so worth it right? Your trip looked amazing. That gum sounds interesting-is it hard to chew and run at the same time LOL?
Like I said this weekend, you are a rockstar! Most people would have rested all day on Sunday but because you’re such a dedicated runner and in training, you did a virtual half marathon. You go girl!!
I like RunGum as well. I don;t use it for every run, but it is nice for an extra boost!
I find jet lag harder going over to Europe – can you get there a few days early to acclimate? If not, you’ll just have to count on the race day excitement to get you going. I do find that getting outside in the early daylight helps with the adjustment. But, you have experience from Ireland last year, so you’ll be fine!
No jet lag running for me, but wow! What an adventure!! Way to knock it out of the park. 🙂
Nope! Normally I’m sleeping when I get back from a trip. I find going back in time zones is easier than going forward. the second time I visited Hawaii and flew back to Boston, I ended up taking 3 naps that day, and I still zonked out that evening.
Lesley I agree with you that going west and “gaining some time back” is easier. I think I suffered from exhaustion just because I went too long with no sleep. My kids however are still wanting afternoon naps they wake up at 5am which is so abnormal for them!
Even though flying cross country is tiring, it doesn’t compare to a transatlantic flight (been there, done that). And since most of my races are travel, that’s exactly why I like to get there early. It works for me, but hey, I’m not running any marathons.
I think I would definitely have waited a day if it were me, so slow or not, you got it done under difficult circumstances — to say the least!
When I first read 116 degree’s I was thinking, that’s not too bad that’s what its been here. But then 90% humidity, um yeah that’s bad LOL We have been lucky to get 2-10% humidity this year. Yikes, but I bet it was an awesome trip. I would never have thought of Dubai as humid, but I guess it makes sense it’s surrounded by water.
I’ve never had jet lag, I have this great ability to sleep anywhere anytime. So I just sleep and then no matter where I travel I am fine LOL I can thank my Epstein Barr for that sleep ability though!
Great job on getting your run in through all the heat and tiredness though!!
That was a good call, I can’t imagine the body clock being that far “off” just a few hours is challenging! I have never traveled overseas.
My phone got drenched in April at a half and it really has not been the same camera, ever since. I always put my phone in ziploc in summer but for some reason I forgot that day!
I can not get over how much rain you had!! That is a crazy amount. I really want to try the gum now!
Well done getting your miles in 🙂
Gosh, air travel is exhausting enough without adding in the time zone dilemma. Way to get it done on your own (which, in my opinion, is even tougher than doing a 13.1 in the midst of fellow runners). #beast
My badass Lou!!!!!
I cannot imagine trying to run a half after having just gotten off of a long flight. Jet lag is no joke, and trying to adjust to everyday life after a long day of travel is hard. Taking it easy and not being hard on yourself seem like the best ways to work on overcoming jet lag.
You are amazing. Can’t believe you had the energy to run 13.1 miles. Good for you. I bet you felt like a beast after that run.
The travel piece of trips and vacations can be so brutal! And then to throw a hot half marathon in the mix… I am in awe of you! I’ve never planned any kind of race post jet-lag. I don’t know how I would have survived!
I can’t imagine that kind of jet lag, I was all out of sorts just from flying from Philly to Seattle! I love that you still did a virtual 13.1…it’s too bad you had so many flight delays but you definitely made the right choice!
That was pretty badass Marcia. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with 116 degree heat, ever. We all need to demand action on global warming so where we live doesn’t become unbearably hot (and Dubai would be uninhabitable).