Day 4,480—Hotter than Florida—

 

Start time: 8:17 a.m.

Weather: Mid 80s to Low 90s, wind 3.6 mi/h, Humidity 89%

        My phone said that it felt like 112 degrees, and I believe it because I was thinking on my way back that it was hotter than it had been in Florida, but I dismissed that because that seemed ridiculous. The heat index was 110 in Florida, and today in St. Louis it is 112. I already decided I would run an easy pace today and take plenty of breaks, but on my way back from Forest Park it didn’t seem like I could find enough places to stop. I stopped 5 times. When I was within 2 miles from my house, I walked to the park to get water before going home. It might have added a little to my overall distances, but I didn’t have a choice; I was struggling.          

    When I got closer to my house, I was fully walking some and running some, something I waited to do until after I got a Slurpee and needed to walk to drink it. I still saw a ton of crazies like me out at the parks, going for runs, or playing pickleball. I was thinking my performance on this run would scare me as I prepare for Vero Beach! I would be thinking, if I can’t manage in the heat today for 15 miles, how was I going to manage in Florida?!! The answer that immediately came to me was ICE! You've got to use ice if you’re running in the heat! I am so glad I had that ice bandana to wear, and that I had brought a hydration bladder with a wide enough mouth that it was easy to fill with ice. If I had to do this run again, I would have used ice! I don’t know if I even want to take my kids outside to play in the backyard. They have been doing the Slip’n Slide and kid pool a lot this week, and I was thinking I would go out and watch them play today, but it is so hot. Maybe they need to stay in.

        I so don’t get my body because no matter how much heat my body experiences, its best strategy is to sweat so much that my clothes start to build up salt deposits. I am just thinking. Hello body? Why not keep some of that water and salt, so I am not having to drink so much? Work on the video continues! I am working on it right now. I worked on it first thing this morning! I am making progress