Over the passed few weeks I've been in another endurance building phase. Building phases are fun because I don't need to be too concerned with speed. Not to say I am training slow. It's more long distance, single pace type training. I'm the type of person who improves with high mileage training. The more miles I swim, run and bike the stronger and faster I get in the end. Only problem is I am limited in training time and my body has its limits before it breaks. Some people can get away with minimal mileage and just doing shorter speed training sessions. For me speed sessions tend to do more harm than good when it comes to running and cycling. They increase chances of injury big time. I try to keep speed training at a once a week occurrence.
Since I started my endurance sessions the heat here has been ridiculous. There is no escape from it. Its been 80s in the morning and 90-100 during the daytime. It was not like this last year for sure. So what does this mean for my training besides drinking like a fish. Well it means I have to go slower during long distance runs in order to keep my heart rate from spiking. For instance, keeping a sub 3hr marathon type pace in 60-70 degrees my heart rate is around 145 bpm. When the temps are 85-95 full humidity keeping the same marathon pace my heart rate is more like 155-160 bpm. It can be looked at a couple ways. But basically, as it's no surprise, the hotter it is the harder your body needs to work in order to keep pace.
It is frustrating to see my run speed dwindle away. And I am a little concerned about it. It's like starting back at square one. Hopefully my body will adjust soon where I am seeing my speed increase again. But truthfully I know it really pays off at the end of the Tri season when the temps ease up a little bit. In the mean time I'll continue to have fun running/cycling in this heat, even when the ends of long rides and runs turn into pure survival.
People seem amazed sometimes that I think endurance running and cycling out in this heat is fun. The other day during a pit stop to pick up some Gatorades along an 80 mile bike in the country the lady asks I don't know how you can get out of bed in the morning, put on your cycling shoes and go out in this heat. And as the temperature gauge was reading 98. I just said its really easy. I'm alive, it's a beautiful day, and there's almost nothing else I'd rather be doing. It is fun!
A little inpseration for myself...
For those that havn't heard this is the new famous trackstar on the block. As the first American to break a 27 minute 10K. Chris just happens to be 6'1", 161 lbs far from the average speedsters at 5'7", 125 lbs.
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