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Let's Talk Summer Running Changes

Well. It's Tuesday. I would love to say I have a recipe for Tasty Tuesday or some fantastic story to share about the weekend. It was really mostly running, biking and enjoying. No complaints about that.

I got in a run Saturday morning (6 miles) then some pool time with friends before we had a crazy rainstorm that was apparently only in our county and the one just near us. The rest of the state was sunny and clear. Go figure right? It did drop the temps from 98 to 77 degrees though. I call that a bonus and an even trade.

Sunday Jason and I went for a long bike ride. We got in 28 very hot miles. We stopped a few times, re-filled water bottles, that sort of thing. But it was a gorgeous day to be outside. And I'm continually getting more comfortable on the bike. The one good thing about biking is that you at least get the wind rushing at you so you stay much cooler than if you were running.

I should have been more productive over the weekend. I did get a bench painted, some laundry done, ciabatta bread made. But I chose some pool time and then a late lunch with Jason over house work. I think that's perfectly acceptable on the weekend right?

Yesterday we decided to go for another ride after work. I was secretly hoping Jason might decide he really didn't want to go. I was just feeling worn out to be honest. But, I also knew that once I got going, it'd be all good. It would be a nice way to cap off a Monday. I got home and got in biceps, triceps and abs before we headed out. We ended up with a solid 15 miles, and I slept very soundly.

This morning I got up to go for a morning run. Jason was going to do 6 with me and I figured I'd do another mile or so after. My goal was 8 miles. But, it was so hot and humid, I really wasn't sure I'd last - especially after riding bikes 2 days in a row.

We kept the pace fairly slow. It's a mental challenge for me now. I had been increasing my pace over the winter and spring. I was darn proud of myself actually. But the minute the humidity crept in, my runs have just gotten so much harder feeling.

My perceived exertion level just seems so out of whack. I'm going slower and it feels increasingly harder. So, I know that slowing down really is ideal. It makes the run more enjoyable not feeling like you want to keel over. That's a novel concept huh?

Jason is really much better at pacing down than I am. I start getting competitive with myself. He just hums along evenly. I need to take advice from him huh? Recently, my pace has slowed to somewhere between 30-40 seconds slower. I have been saying that over and over, "my pace is slowing," "I was so much slower," but I guess I need to change my thought process and call this my Summer Pace.

My summer pace is slower. That's ok. I can still keep up my mileage endurance by slowing down. There's no need for me to push myself to the point of misery (saying this out loud so I can re-read and convince myself this is true). Time for a midset adjustment.

I think most runners find their paces slowing in the summer. But how do you handle it? Do you adjust your mindset knowing that you have different paces throughout the year? Or maybe you keep your pace and just lower the miles....I'd love to hear your responses to how your runs change seasonally.

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