How to survive a hazy, hot, and humid run

I'm seeing lots of stories in my Facebook news feed on surviving hot runs. Sometimes I choose to cross-train inside on hot days. But sometimes I run. It hit eighty – six degrees at nine this morning, just as I was getting set to head out. Here’s how I got through the next few hours. 

1. Cold shower.

2. Lightest shorts and top.

3. Lots of water.  

4. Run to bathroom.

5. Repeat three and four. Again. And again.

6.  Foam roll legs until they are jello.  

7. Stick head, neck, and shoulders under kitchen faucet.  Consider that perhaps you were a little too enthusiastic with the foam rolling.  

8. Fill the two water bottles in the fuel belt. Fill a third bottle with ice and water for post-run treat.

9. Drive with AC on full blast to shady trail ten minutes from home.

10. Hit the port-a-john in the parking lot. See number three.

11. Hit the trail slash rain forest. Immediately re-adjust distance goal.  

12. Pay attention to breathing and heart rate. Do best to keep HR comfy and breathing at the most slightly labored. Succeed because the first few miles are all downhill.

13. Smile at every runner, jogger, walker, your fellow psychos.

14. Turn back a titch early, for safety. Heart rate’s up. Breathing is labored.  Staying injury-free is job one.   

15. Walk jog run back to car. It’s all good because you’re moving in the right direction.

16. Slide onto car seat.  Gross. Remember towel next time.    

17. Blast AC.  Gulp water. Drive.

18. Cold shower at home.

19. Enjoy recovery smoothie and endorphin rush. Think: “You maniac.”

20. Sign up for those two fall marathons. Do it.
21. Did it.