Saturday, June 20, 2009

Running in the Big Easy

If you think central Illinois is hot & humid in the summer, try New Orleans! It's outrageously hot here. I'm visiting now and running is almost unbearable. Every single day the temperature is around 98 degrees...with heavy humidity and sun. Even at 6am, the temps are already in the high 70s. The only saving grace is that everything is flat. With no hills, it's tolerable to run. I'm DRENCHED with sweat within the first mile, but that should help me kick start my "Howl at the Moon" heat training. Silver linings abound...you just need to look. I can get some tasty coffee (the cafe au lait is awesome) after each run. And the sticky buns help me replenish the carbs.

"Consultant" Jeff has advised me to run two-a-days while I'm here. I'll try to accomplish that...even if they are simple 5K morning and evening runs. Isn't the 2-runs-a-day thing more Goggins like? Hmmm...might need to find a new consultant that's easier on me. I look forward to getting back to Illinois and doing some easy "Riddle runs" in the cool and dry Midwest weather.

Laissez les bon temps roulez! I'm already turning back to my Louisiana roots.

4 comments:

Ragfield said...

I ran the Mardi Gras Half Marathon there in February 2004. It was warm, but tolerable at that time of year. It was much less pleasant in August.

Chris Ⓥ said...

It's not pleasant in late June! Just finished my morning run. At 6am it was 75 degrees and VERY humid. Now I'm enjoying some chicory coffee at a local internet cafe. Almost time for a big fat cinnamon bun. Then off to Mississippi for some gambling and ocean (gulf?) views.

Anonymous said...

I once ran down the middle of Bourbon Street at 5am thinking it would be safer and saner. Not so. I got cat calls and invitations all the way. Maybe I should have re-thunk the short running shorts.

Heidi E. Carpenter said...

I'm cracking up at this post. My husband and I are regular visitors to Nola and it is definitely not easy!!! One late July I went for a run at noon around the perimeter of the French Quarter. There was no shade anywhere...I thought my hungover brain was going to bake right within my skull. We're going back in August and this time my runs will either be very early or very late.