Three Morning Runs

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In the last three days I have been for three morning runs. The first was a base run, the second was a threshold run, and the third was a recovery run. I chose to run in the morning because the temperature has increased in recent days and I prefer to run when it is slightly cooler.

I left the decision of what type of run to do up to Garmin, with the Instinct 2. I checked what run it recommended for me and then I tried to keep to that recommendation.

The base run was as described. It was simply about running for half an hour at a reasonable pace and keeping to that pace, trying not to speed up too often, according to external factors such as cars, pedestrians and more.

The second run was more of a challenge. This was a threshold run and in this situation I had to run faster and push my comfort level to some extent. I completed the run but it was more of a struggle. I stayed within the required speed range but barely.

The run this morning was a recovery run and this was meant to be a slow and easy run. It's a struggle to run at seven minutes per kilometre. It's easy to go too fast. If I walk it is too slow, and if I run it's a struggle to slow down enough.

Last Friday I went for a run in the afternoon and I was happy to skirt the shade when it was available. It's not that I can't stand the heat but rather that the heat, this year, came suddenly. One day it was cold and unpleasant, and within a few days it was summer. That transition did not give us time to acclimatise properly to summer.

Of Heat and Fountains

When it's hot, and you're in Rome, it is quite common to drink when you can, and to splash water on your face, and to soak your hat before putting it back on. When I went for my 14:00 run I ran, and I tried to run in the shade when it was available. When I was walking up from the old town I found a fountain. I splashed my face, and I drenched my hat before putting it back on. As the hat dries it provides shade, and cools me.

And Finally

In several countries densification is seen as positive because it protects the green belts around towns and villages. The flipside of this is that properties with trees, grass, streams and more are being concreted over. In summer streets and villages that once had bushes, grass and trees are now concrete buildings with tarmac, brick or cement parkings. What would once have provided shade, and humidity is now dry and prone to heat up during the day, and radiate heat at night.

Running in a heat island, such as Nyon, and urbanised villages might be a fun challenge, but it might not be a healthy choice. That's why running in the morning makes sense. It's not about heat tolerance, but rather about how the environment is being changed despite our understanding of how concrete and tarmac promote heat islands.

Wake Up and Run

It makes sense for me to wake up, see what Garmin wants me to do, run wise, and then to do it. It's not a 5am run but it is a morning run. I do benefit from running when the air is cooler, and it's a habit that I have kept consistent for the last three days.

I would continue but Saturday I am going for a bike ride, and Sunday I am going for a hike. This isn't about trying to get a long streak. This is just a playful experiment.