the summer breeze feels so good

the summer breeze feels so good, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Altered my route today due to the high humidity. I shortened the length and changed to one where there was lots of tree cover. I was hoping the shade would help and it did. The course change did add a big element of more hills but that was the price to pay today.

I took a couple of stretch and water breaks, lengthening one to Twitter about the hope for rain. It turned out to be a passing cloud, nothing more than that.

I added a stop at the Dunkin Donuts on the last stretch to enjoy a nice coolatta but alas their machine was down and nothing of that sort was available. I passed on the coffee as it was already too hot.

Walking the final stretch home by Spruce Pond, I enjoyed the breeze. You can see evidence of it in the ripples on the water surface.

Weighing myself I found I lost about 7 pounds of water weight. I have been hydrating myself all afternoon and am not quite back to normal yet. Good excuse for a second beer today!

What is the lesson from running in the heat?

Adjust to the conditions. I ran slower, took a shadier course, and carried water. All things that Amby Burfoot covers in his recent Runner's World article on running in the heat. It is good advice to follow.

May the roads and trails be kind to you!

tying your shoe laces - video

In addition to my podcast on how the importance of tying your shoe laces properly, there is now a video available from Runner's World.




Thanks to the Daily Runner for the pointer!

Passionate Runner: John L Parker

another in a series of podcasts on running this one reflecting on an article in the December issue of Runner's World with an interview of John L Parker, Jr. author of "Once a Runner" and the long awaited sequel "Again to Carthage".

Time: 3 minutes, 54 seconds



MP3 File

Ryan Shay - 1979-2007

The autopsy results remain outstanding to explain why such a runner, such a winner, just collapses and leaves us all so suddenly.

Passionate Runner: Life Long Running

another in a series of podcasts this one reflecting on an article in the December issue of Runner's World covering the 5 secrets of life long running.

Time: 7 minutes 3 seconds



MP3 File

Note: has anyone else had trouble finding an article on Runner's World? It seems they don't put all the print issue online.

Again to Carthage - John L Parker

The long awaited sequel to Once A Runner is coming, finally. Runner's World has an interview and an excerpt from the novel Again to Carthage.


The book is available as a pre-order from Amazon.

Found Amby Burfoot's review of Again to Cathage here

Passionate Runner: RW's Best of Marathon Plan

another in a series of podcasts on running, this one talking about the July 2007 issue of Runner's World and their "best of the best" marathon plan, a compilation of plans from ten top marathon coaches.

Time: 3 minutes, 4 seconds



MP3 File


Runner's World July 2007 marathon plan summary

Unfortunately, they don't seem to have the tables of the top ten coaches, or the 2 plans (beginner and veteran) online. If they do, I have not found them.

Passionate Runner: The FIRST Plan

One in a series on beginning running. This one focuses on the FIRST Plan from the Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training as published in Runner's World (Aug 2005).

Time: 6 minutes, 16 seconds




Additional writing on my running with the FIRST Plan can be found here.

The direct link to the FIRST Plan at Furman is here.

Runner's World - April Issue

I can't provide links to the articles as most of them are not online so if you really want to read these, you will need to pick up a copy on your local newstand or subscribe.

Warm-ups - C'mon get happy
The article reviews body chemistry, positive thought, and how it creates the "runner's high".

Enduring Questions - What's the perfect plan?
I was expecting Amby Burfooot to determine whether the Lydiard method or the First plan or ??? was going to be the best plan. No such luck. The article instead provides the 10 factors that will help make a great plan for you. Still valuable but not what I thought I would find.

Personal Record - Plenty of Time
A nice essay by Fran Skennion Reilly on running in each stage of her life.

The Making of a Marathoner
Kenny Moore profiles Dathan Ritzenhein. Well worth reading!

Enjoy!