I'm Getting Heated About The Heat

No, Not This.

Nor This!

This is the type of heat that I am talking about.

     Here comes another rant or a pet peeve that I have related to recent warm weather and people exercising in it. Just like this photo displays I hate that people think safely exercising in warm weather is all about preventing dehydration, and drinking copious amounts of fluids. Some athletes and coaches think that they can work vigorously and non-stop in extreme conditions as long as there is an adequate water supply. It doesn't matter how much you drink, it won't prevent your core body temperature from rising. The real danger is exercising in a way that allows the core temperature to reach unsafe levels where heat stroke can occur.

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Why do you run?

I was asked a very innocent and nonchalant question the other day. The question was produced by a little small talk but in reality it was a deep question. The answer to this question has many parts or layers and many different but viable responses. I realized that the response that I would give is dependent upon time.

 I wasn’t always a runner or a fan of running. I label the younger or adolescent version of myself as the stereotypical fat or chubby kid. I dreaded the mile run for gym class in elementary school and one day I even faked sick so I could stay at home and not participate in the perceived torture.

I definitely was a stereotypical fat kid.

I didn’t get into running until my sophomore year of college when I worked with cross country and track athletes during my second clinical rotation as an athletic training student. My interests in endurance sports had begun to develop as I had taken up cycling as a recreational and fitness hobby before the start of college. I would assist my preceptor in evaluating and treating these athletes and would be amazed at the durations of their runs. I was shocked but inspired at the same time that people could run for 60-90-120 minutes without struggle and do it several times a week.

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