Summer is hot.

When I started training last year, it was August and I was starting from scratch, so my runs were 10 minutes long.  Half a mile out, half a mile back, easily done post-dinner when the sun was going down and it was cooler out.  In fact, last summer wasn't too hot to begin with, but then before I knew it autumn had arrived.  The bulk of my half marathon training was done through the autumn and winter (and on the gym's treadmill).  I really enjoyed my short introduction to summer running last year and so I welcomed the warmer weather with open arms in 2010.

7:30 am. 97% humidity. I think that's all I need to say about this morning's run.  The air felt so thick, it was like I was actually pushing against it in order to run through.  Every inch of my body was covered in sweat.  It dripped in my eyes, down my legs.  Any bit of a breeze I caught helped just the tiniest bit.  The sky was a hazy kind of sunny, but it wasn't until I got home that it became fully sunny and the temperatures shot up like a rocket, so I'm glad I got out early enough.

I can't sit here and pretend that despite all of that, I still love summer running.  But the thing is, I can't (nor won't) let it get to me.  I'll have to run at times that may not be convenient to me in order to avoid the hottest part of the day, and I may come home so sticky with sweat that I literally have to peel my running gear off.  So as long as I still get out there and go for my run, then I know I've accomplished something.

Atmospheric moisture, you're no match for me.