Wednesday, June 27, 2018

WWU - Proof That We Are Crazy?

I mean, I kinda already knew that we were crazy to run in the hot and humid months like we do, but what option do we have?  Stop running for six months each year?  That's not going to happen, so we run, and we deal with the conditions as best we can.  The weather here is a challenge - it doesn't cool down much overnight, and the humidity is highest in the coolest, least sunny part of the day, which is just before dawn, so that's when we run.  Lately our starting temps have been around 77-78 degrees, with 96-100% humidity, and the dew point usually one tick below the temperature, so if it's 78 degrees, the dew point is 77.  I always knew that made for a challenging run, but when I came across this chart from a running coach in Florida, which has to be the second-worst place to run in the hot summer/spring/fall months, I got confirmation of our insanity:
We are pretty much always above a dew point of 70 right now, so the suffer greatly part is real.

Does this make me feel better to know for sure how terrible we will feel when we run in high dew points?  Kind of...but mostly it is a good reminder that crummy run after crummy run can be attributed to the weather instead of my running ability.  That said, I had two decent runs last week, but I woke up around 1:00 am early Saturday feeling nauseated, and was awake most of the night before finally getting up at 5:00 am to go to our group run, and boy howdy, I was not doing well.  Diane and I ended up walking quite a bit, and once we got back to the clubhouse, she continued on, which I was glad for, because she really didn't get much of a run with me.

Because we were on a walk break and obviously not in a hurry at that point, when we came across two young deer we stopped so Diane could take some pictures - they let her get really close!  Had these been fully-grown bucks, there's no way we would have been so close, but these guys would have run away instead of charging us, which we're always wary of when we have an adult deer in our path:
Hi deer!  Thanks for posing for the camera!

********************

After the run we cooled down on the driveway before changing into dry clothes.  Logan went for a 6 mile run with his dad, and then sat down with his mom to have a pancake appetizer before we headed out to Blue Baker:
Carbing up like a pro!
He also demonstrated his fine motor skills by playing with the band of his mom's Garmin - nice pincer action there, Logan!

At Blue Baker, we played pass the baby with Logan - everyone got a turn, and he even took a nap with Julia.  Here he is with Jimmymeow, taking command of the table (and yes, we're at the point of having to keep a wide berth of anything we don't want him to be grabbing):
Hi Jeff!
Hi Karen!  Hi Diane!
That was a funny joke!  A real table-slapper!!

Mason was at breakfast for a little while as well, but he was at the far end of the table.  One of these days I'll get a picture of the two Renegade babies together.  Mostly Mason is more interested in running around, climbing up and down the two steps to the upper eating areas, and keeping him moms on their toes - so much to see and do when you're 18 months old!

24 comments:

  1. Well, if it makes you feel any better, we are about to get a stretch of that kind of weather here so I'll be suffering along with you especially if I can't kick this bad asthma I've been having from allergies this year. I have to admit, when we were in Florida a few weeks ago I wondered if I lived there would I be a runner. I mean, even my walking pace suffered down there!

    For some reason Logan suddenly looks so big to me - not a baby anymore, more like a toddler in waiting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Florida is pretty much the same as here, so you'd still be a runner...but you'd be a different runner. Toddler in waiting - that's a good description. Logan is changing quickly!

      Delete
  2. We are in for at least 4 more months of miserable weather just like you guys in Texas. If I have to go out I try to do it before 10 in the morning then come inside and try to stay cool in the ac.

    I can't believe those deer just stood there for a picture like that this behavior won't be lasting much longer.

    Logan sure is growing up fast getting to be a toddler.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do the same thing, run errands in the morning. It's torture to go out during the rest of the day!

      Delete
  3. Every summer I go through this whole "I'm a terrible runner, I'm so heat intolerant" and then I read posts like yours and realize, nope, it's not just me. It's amazing how bad it feels to run in the heat and humidity!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, we all need to remember it's the weather more than it's us, but every year, it gets me.

      Delete
  4. We get the heat sometimes but almost never the humidity. Sometimes when we say it's muggy you probably wouldn't even notice it! But then we get the brutal winters, I guess it's a trade-off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are correct on other area's determination of muggy, that's for sure. But yeah, those brutal winters would do me in.

      Delete
  5. I read this post and looked at the chart before my run this morning, which was with a 66 dew point and 90% humidity. I've never looked at dew point before (and admittedly don't really know what it means) but did find being prepared for a potentially challenging run helpful. At least there's no surprises!

    It's great that you guys are still getting out there, despite the terrible heat and humidity! Like you said, you can't really quit running 6 months out of the year, and running will feel so much better once the weather cools down again (in what, October or so?).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does help, doesn't it? Just knowing that you are dealing with really tough conditions can make a slower pace more acceptable. And we'll start to cool down in October, but it's not steady. We'll be cool and then shoot back up to 90 degrees.

      Delete
  6. Our dew points are in the mid 70's...which is basically "skip it" on the chart! But - like you said - we can't stop running for the whole summer! It's nice to see that chart though. Somehow, I feel validated. LOL. Baby Logan is all kinds of cuteness!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I like the validation of that chart too!

      Delete
  7. I think Logan could run for president! (which in this day and age might not be a compliment, but you know what I mean :) )

    I remember when I lived in Wichita Falls (which wasn't nearly as humid as you are, but it still got humid) my friend and I used to walk at 10:00 at night. That worked pretty good. I'd never do that now, but we were young and stupid then.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, he does look pretty presidential sitting at the table!

      LOLOLOL on being young and stupid...yep. Been there, done that, lucky to have survived some stupid decisions.

      Delete
  8. So instead of running...just call it swunning. Half swimming half running. Because you have to feel like you are just running through a really hot pool.

    Logan is adorable! Getting so big!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hah - that's pretty much what it is, swunning. Good term.

      Delete
  9. I am glad you saw that chart! Comparing the dew point and humidity and temperature to how much harder it should feel doesn't make the run easier, but can make you feel better, I think! And power to you guys, for running in all seasons!

    And I hope you don't wake up feeling sick like that again soon!

    Logan is such a ham! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly I do feel better seeing how hard it is to run in our weather - I mean, I knew it, but I like having it official. ;)

      Logan is a charmer - he is very fun to be around.

      Delete
  10. I always love seeing deer on my run (when they are not charging at me of course). There is just something peaceful about it.

    Logan is tooooo Cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, it's always a special run when we see deer.

      Delete
  11. I think that is cool that Logan and Mason are growing up with such a big village. Can’t wait for the pics of the two of them together. I’ll order some 60 degree weather for you;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really like that dew point chart! It's spot on for sure. I'm also with you - I can't skip a run 6 months out of the year, so we just have to deal with it. Ugh. The baby is so precious! I love seeing pictures of him and watching him grow! It happens all too fast for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You deal with the same sloppy conditions, but often pushing a toddler in a stroller - it's extra challenging for you!

      Delete

Comments are now moderated to prevent spammers from leaving, well, spam - but rest assured that as soon as I read a real comment, I will publish it. So please, comment away, even though the blog is officially closed. Thanks!