Running With Jack

After almost a month of cooler weather and rain, this week started out with warmer temperatures and sunshine. On Monday night, when I headed out for an easier 9K/5.5M run (5:30/K or 8:51/M pace), the temperature was approaching 29C/85F.

On Tuesday (yesterday) it was up to 31C/88F when I got home, so I decided to go for a bike ride to get used to the heat. I was cycling along at a good clip for about 20 minutes when the arm that holds the pedal to the bike started loosening up. I stopped to tighten it, but not having any tools with me, could only tighten the screw by hand. A couple minute more of riding ended up with the same result, so I took a shortcut home and called it a day. I rode about 13K/8M, better than nothing.

I have been watching the weather closely and am a bit concerned about temperatures on Sunday when I run my marathon. It has rarely been over 27C/80F for the past 4-5 weeks, now it is fast approaching 32C/90F and could go higher. The initial weather prediction for Sunday is rain, which would make it pretty humid as well. Hopefully it will rain enough that it will lower the temperature down to a more reasonable level by then.

Tonight I plan on running for about an hour, again at a moderate pace. On Friday I may go for a 20 minute jog to loosen up. I may also go for a swim on Thursday - I need to burn some calories. My marathon starts on Sunday at 10 a.m. (4 a.m. EST).