Hot Run

I got a little refresher course in "How Temperature Effects Your Heart Rate 101". Here is the data, then we can analyze!

Distance: 7.45 miles
Average pace: 8'24" / mile
Average heart rate: 165

That data is from a run last Thursday around the lakes at work. Typical nightly run for me, the temp couldn't have been much more then low 70s.

Distance: 8.05 miles
Average pace: 8'41" / mile
Average heart rate: 178 !!

This is from tonight's run around the same lakes, only with the temps in the 80s. Even running at a slower pace, my heart rate was up there. It was my first real high temp run of the season, and I'm sure it's only going to get worse! Considering the half marathon is the first week of June, I better make sure I'm ready.

You might be thinking, 165 is only slightly lower then 178, what's the big deal? Actually, that difference is pretty huge. 165 is what I would consider a "comfortable" zone. I'm not sure how it compares to other runners, but it's kind of my target heart rate. Anything over that means I'm pushing myself... anything over 170 means I'm really struggling. 178 is VERY high, probably even higher then my average heart rate for the 10k.

Anyway, the point is, I have to be careful as the summer progresses. If I'm running outside in 90 degree weather, I can't be running at a fast pace, or my body is just going to freak out. It actually gives more reason to sometimes run indoors, despite my recent posts to the contrary.

Tonight we are busy packing for our trip tomorrow, and I was just taking a quick break to blog. I'm pretty much done except for picking out some DVDs (our room has a DVD player), some CDs for the car ride, and the rest of the stuff that you can't pack until the morning. We are going to attempt to get going early tomorrow to allow for a more relaxing and long drive up. I think we are going to stop at Hinckley so I can lose $40 bucks gambling and then eat at the casino buffet!

The other good / bad news is that I also have to move all the furniture around in my basement at some point tonight. That's the bad news... the good news is that the reason I need to do that is we arranged to have our ceiling fixed while we are gone this weekend!! It will be nice to come home to having that all taken care of, so I can't complain there.

I think this weekend will be exactly what both Andrea and I need. I almost wish we had planned for it to be even longer, but I know that's asking a lot. I'm sure my Mom will be in for a busy weekend as it is, watching Megan for 3 days. Not sure if I'll get a post up right away on Sunday night, so if not, have a good weekend and check back Monday for trip pictures!