Failed Fit: Running a Marathon in the Heat

By Jessie

Dustin and I are set to run the "Marathon to Marathon" this Saturday. It runs from Storm Lake, Iowa to Marathon, Iowa.

We've done all the training. We didn't miss any long runs, and put in a lot of miles throughout the weeks. However, we've had to adjust our expectation for one reason....the weather.

Storm Lake Forecast: Saturday

93 | 70 °F

As runners, we can control a lot of things -- our diet, our training, our rest, etc. But we can't control the weather, and with temperatures in the 90's we both know our bodies won't be able to perform the way they could in 45-50 degree temperatures (ideal marathon temperatures).

I'm going to try my best to go into this weekend with a positive attitude. I'm going to take it easy, drink a ton of fluids (no alcohol this week), and try to enjoy my 26.2 mile tour of Middle America and farm country, with no expectations for time or performance. After my "death march" marathon in St. Louis, MO last year, I know that I am just not one of those runners who can tough out the heat. My body does not cooperate. So I'll do the best I can, and try to have some fun!

This spring has been a tough one for marathons. The Boston marathon faced high temperatures, and race directors decided to allow runners to defer to next year. (Read about it here.) 

In fact, race directors there suggested adding up to 2 minutes/mile for the heat that day. 

“Allow for an additional two minutes per mile to slow down and be sensible about it,’’ Grilk said. “Be part of what could be a well-remembered experience, but do it in a way that is careful. Ultimately, it is an individual sport and individual decision, but we want to make sure we provide people with the comfort of knowing they can make the decision.’’

The Green Bay Wisconsin marathon was cancelled two and a half hours into it. (Read about it here.)

The Madison, Wisconsin marathon was cancelled three days before the race. (Read about it here.)

As you might recall, LL and I debated extreme heat vs. extreme cold running here and here.

For the sake of the debate, I took on the side of running in extreme cold, but I actually agree with LL. Running in the heat is much harder! Clearly, the health risks of running in the heat are severe, and race directors have frequently had to make that tough call to cancel races due to these conditions. 

I am still holding onto the hope that a cold front could surprise us all and come through Iowa before Saturday! 

But I am also preparing for the worst- Iowa could be cancelled due to extreme temperatures. We do have a back up plan. There is a tiny  marathon in Viborg, South Dakota the next day (Sunday). We could drive there from Iowa, and register that day. There are less than 100 marathoners. The course is held at tiny church camp, running multiple figure 8's around a lake, with fixed aid stations that runners pass several times. And the best part? Ringing the camp bell as you cross the finish line! 

Surprisingly, this marathon is a sanctioned course! It actually sounds like a one-of-a-kind race, and if it becomes our spring marathon, so be it. (We haven't checked South Dakota off of our list yet anyhow!)

Read about it here and here. 

One of the risks of running marathons as frequently as we do, is that the weather is not always going to cooperate. One of my sisters is running her second marathon this fall (her last one was nearly 10 years ago) and I'm sure it would be more disappointing for her if her race had the same kind of weather. For her, it is not "just another marathon".  I hope she has better conditions for her day. But for us, it's going to happen occasionally, and we just have to swallow our pride and tough it out. 

Let's just hope that we both run smart on Saturday, and are able to cross the finish line in good health and good spirits!