Summer heat!

___________________________

Distance: 13.15 miles

Duration: 1:47:10”

Pace: 8'04" mile

___________________________

My friends, it has been HOT in New York City this summer.

H . O . T.

And yesterday was no exception. The not-so-kindly local weatherpeople were calling for highs around 95 degrees, but the baking footpath up the West Side of Manhattan made it feel at least 123 degrees. In the shade.

Blazing temperatures notwithstanding, the West Side Recreation Area was populated with brave (foolish?) souls like yours-truly. We were out on a late August afternoon doing our best to make good on marathon training commitments without suffering heatstroke. At this point in the season, with the last of the lava-hot summer days upon us, we begin to see runners wearing those silly (and somehow disturbingly clinical) hydration belts. You know the ones: they look like little high-tech saddles for people. Fat neoprene waistbands with dual (or in some cases even QUAD) holders for various neon-colored sports drinks.

As November 7th approaches, one also notices an increasing number of discarded energy-gel packages along the popular running trails; flaccid bits of foil detritus with appetizing brandnames like "AccelGel," "CARBOOM," "ClifShot" and my personal favorite, "GU."

Actually, GU really is my favorite. I had two yesterday.

But nobody in their right mind would claim to actually like the taste of these things. They are just nutrient-rich sacks of food-product to be ingested with a minimum of fanfare; preferably while still running. I mean, how tasty could they actually be?

Gustatory adventures aside, the training has been going fairly well. A friend recently showed me an online tool that could, just possibly, change everything forever! Check this out:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

This tool allows you to draw your own route using Google maps. It shows mile markers, calculates calories and will automatically create a return route. So, so cool.

In fact, if you'd like to check out the route I ran yesterday, click here.

Forward!