Sweat fest weather + harder runs = never enough sleep!

Ridiculous humidity here in the valley along with my mileage and workouts gradually getting harder and longer has left me feeling really tired every single day! Yesterday Sam and I did a 9 mile run at a moderately challenging pace (as quick as 6:48 with an average of 6:54 for the entire run). I felt good and pretty comfortable until the very end when the humidity and heat finally started to hit me. Eww my running clothes looked like I had just jumped in the pool when I was done!! I did 6 strides and my drills afterward and the air felt so thick I could hardly catch my breath! This morning was a nice respite with less humidity, a little windy and much cooler, 78 versus low 90’s ☺ It’s great to have monsoon season here in Phoenix because it gives us a break from the triple digits and brings some much needed rain.

I’ve been sleeping around 7-7.5 hours per night and taking a nap because I’ve felt exhausted, yet no matter what I’m still not feeling refreshed and awake. I’m attributing it to the weather and the fact that my training is more intense than it’s been since mid- April. My mileage hasn’t been where it is now since April and while I’m increasing my mileage and my intensity at the same time, the weather here makes it that much harder. I know my body will catch up with itself eventually but for now I need to sleep and eat as best I can to maximize my fitness ☺

Tomorrow I’m doing a workout on the track: 3 mile warm up, 3 miles continuous at 5:41 pace and a 3 mile cool down. I hope it goes well and that I can hit the times! I’m looking forward to racing another 5k on August 8th here in Phoenix and hopefully run under 17 minutes. I can’t believe I leave for NYC in a week and a half yet I’m excited to help move my sister out there and be in the city for a few weeks. I’m racing some New York Road Runner races and I can’t wait to see other boroughs of the city since I’m always just in Manhattan. One of the races is a XC race at Van Cortland so that will be super fun and the last time I raced there was USA XC nationals in 2006! I have my new purple and silver Brooks Mach 12 spikes to wear too ☺

Quote for today: “If you have a goal in life that takes a lot of energy, that requires a lot of work, that incurs a great deal of interest and that is a challenge to you, you will always look forward to waking up to see what the new day brings” – Susan Polis Schultz