The heat is oppressive in Ottawa this week, with humidexes (humidexi?) of around 40C and not much relief in sight. This has a lot of runners on pins and needles because this coming weekend is the event we've been training for, the Ottawa Race Weekend. Running in the heat is little fun, but running the race in the heat is worse - we have to take extra precautions to not let ourselves get heat stroke, and we don't want to just call it off and go home like we could with another run.
I am excited to pick up my race kit tonight. I have a list of the other things I need: tylenol, for when my knees want to give out, GU gels for replenishing energy, energy beans cuz they're yummy, and water and gatorade. Maybe I'll redo my music playlist as well.
I'm trying to go through my last race experiences and remember what worked and what didn't: bring water, run the whole race course two weeks before (doing this really calmed my nerves about the hilly Gatineau portion), and hydrate before the run. Have fun, be proud of yourself, and reward yourself afterwards!
Despite recent upheavals at work, I will be taking the following Monday off, and I do plan to spend it in a cold bath.
In other news, the morning thing hasn't worked out as well as I'd hoped - I still like sleeping in. However, I have discovered that running home has psychological interest as well - I'm 'running away from work' as well as getting my work-out done so I can rest easily.
Take that, brain!
