Summer Running Plans

I am on week 3 of summer vacation already and I haven't really even done that much running. My focus this month was on training for my triathlon.  So yes, that will be Summer priority #1. When that is over, I will concentrate on other things.

So far, here's what's on my race calendar!

1. My Triathlon. That is coming up THIS weekend! I do feel like I am prepared as best I can be though!


2. The Monumental Mile. This is the race that is in conjunction with our Veteran's parade. I was really pleased with my effort last year at this race so hope I can do just as well.


3. The hot and hilly 4th of July race. This will be the 3rd year I'm running this race. I can't believe I even came back after the first year...lol. Since I spent most of my time this summer training for my triathlon, I don't really feel like I am in shape for a 5K (hmm, I think I may have said that last year too!) I'm going to talk my sister into running this one since she has never run it before!

4. I got invited to do a little race in Chicago but am still working on the logistics so that is up in the air for now.

5. The last race of the season I will be doing will either be the Color Run or The Love Run. Both races are held down at my island and I've placed in my age group at both of them.  I definitely want to try to do one or maybe both of them this year.

Tell me, what races do you have planned for this summer?  Will you be running any races in Chicago? -M

we will be linking up with the gals from TOTR.

Summer Running : I have the time!

I absolutely love Summer, there is no doubt about that one.  The weather is (my version of) perfect and I have off work, what’s not to love!

One of my favorite running paths.

During the other 9 months out of the year, I feel I need to be very efficient with my time. That means that even though I enjoy running, I can’t really spend the time I want to on the trails.  But during the summer months, I can stay out hours at a time without a care in the world. That would be ideal right? 

EXCEPT who wants to be out running on the trail when it’s so stinkin hot???  I guess summer is a double edge sword for me.  I have the time to spend, but I can’t keep myself out there running for long. Last summer I was stuck in what I called the six mile slump. My longest run ALL summer was only 6.2 miles.  Even then I felt like I was going to melt.  Running in the heat never really bothered me until the last year or so. I guess I can chalk this one up to age.

My summer has been so busy so far that I haven’t had any of the “me time” on my favorite rail trail yet this year.  I remember last year my favorite moment on the trail was when it was just me and my ipod. I downloaded a Stephen King short story titled “Gingerbread Girl”.  It was a story about a lady who ran and it lasted about 2 hours. I ended up spending those two hours on the trail just walking. It was glorious and I still got my miles in. It was a great alternative to pushing myself to run in the heat.

So, even if it is too hot to run, I’ll still try to get out and walk (or bike or do something) because I feel like I need to savor this weather.  I want to know that I made the most of my summer.

Do you still get out in the heat?  Can you give me suggestions of other “short stories” I can download? What do you do when you have more free time?

We're linking up with the gals from TOTR. I accidentally swapped topics with last week.