Comments on: Running 13.1 miles in 84 degree heat

By: Laura Lindeman

Laura Lindeman — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 14:52:45 +0000

I use the counting steps tactic on backpacking trips when I encounter a tough uphill section. I tell myself that I can take a break at 100 steps if I need to. Somehow giving myself that tiny finite goal keeps me chugging along.

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 13:42:40 +0000

In reply to Angela.

@Angela – 8 works! When I was going up the last hill (which is from mile 12.4-12.8 basically – ugh!) I was counting to 10. I couldn’t even seem to get to 100.

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 13:01:47 +0000

Congratulations! and thank you for sharing- as a relatively beginner runner, it is nice to hear that you face similar challenges, and I love the counting to 100 tip. Sometimes I chant ‘I can do it’ over and over again, or Ill count to 8- I don’t know why I picked 8 ; ).

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 21:28:01 +0000

In reply to Callie Feyen. @Callie- thanks for stopping by! I'm working on a fiction project right now and I'm telling myself to write 1000 words a day. It's hard to start but when I get started I can usually get a lot farther than 1000 if I want. And yes, with running, one of the things I tell myself is that I have run whatever distance is remaining many times before. Certainly for the last 5 miles of the recent half marathon that was a key thought...

By: Callie Feyen

Callie Feyen — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 19:03:10 +0000

Hi Laura,
I found you through your mom, and have been enjoying reading your articles for several months. I love this one about enduring time and running. I am also a writer (my first book is forthcoming through TS Poetry Press), and I am constantly fighting that voice that says, “Why are you doing this?” I set a timer for 45 minute increments and tell myself that I don’t have to write anything, but I can’t get up. I say, “It’s OK to try and see what happens.” Similarly, with running, I say, “Well, you’ve gone this far before, so you can do it again.”
Not that you are looking for advice or anything. I just wanted to stop by and say, “Hi,” and, “Me, too!” I’m glad to know about your work.

By: SHU

SHU — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 20:31:36 +0000

In reply to lauravanderkam. I think I remember the PHL marathon (i ran it in 2005) was FREEZING. like 20 degrees! although i find that better racing weather than 80 with the right gear.

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 16:41:55 +0000

In reply to SHU. @SHU - so much of racing just seems to be the luck of the draw around here. The Broad Street 10-miler was pouring down rain, this one was burning hot. Last fall I did a half marathon on Halloween that was freezing, but then the half marathon 3 weeks later was perfect (50 degrees). Go figure. Some day all the stars will align and I will be well trained and it will be 60 degrees and not raining.

By: SHU

SHU — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 15:57:18 +0000

ohhh, boy do I know what running at that temp feels like (with a lot of humidity added on for a bonus)! I would also very much struggle with 13 miles of it – WOAH! This is why I only train for long races in the late fall to race in winter or early spring down here 🙂

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 15:22:23 +0000

In reply to beth.

@Beth – I know. In general, I hate the idea of enduring time, but sometimes that’s really what we’re dealing with…

By: beth

beth — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:42:23 +0000

Congratulations on finishing! Those are some seriously hot temperatures for running.

Glad to know I am not the only “counter” out there. I used to count in much the same way when I rocked my colicky baby who would scream all day and night. Funny the things we do to get through difficult situations.