Brian’s fitness journal after a brain stroke
Nashville is in the middle of another heat wave, but my weather app says it should finally break tomorrow. The heat may linger for another day or two, but I’ll be happy to see the worst of it leave.
Running in extreme weather is particularly challenging for me. I already have difficulty maintaining my weight when my activity level increases, and even my early morning runs have been noticeably slower.
The heat is bad enough, but Nashville also provides plenty of humidity. On some mornings, the air feels so heavy that running is less like outdoor exercise and more like using a treadmill inside a sauna.
Unfortunately, nobody provides the fluffy towels afterward. I’ve struggled to reach my target pace lately, but I know fitness isn’t the only factor. Weather and health both affect performance.
Fortunately, the forecast looks much better by the end of the week, with cooler early mornings that should be much more comfortable for running.
My iron levels have also dropped again, and I’m scheduled for another iron infusion the week after next. I’m hopeful that treatment will improve my energy and endurance as it has before. So, despite a frustrating start to the month, I’m optimistic about the second half. Sometimes progress isn’t about forcing yourself to perform better under increasingly difficult conditions.
Cooler mornings are coming, my iron will be treated, and I’ll keep running. The heat wave can win a few rounds.
It doesn’t get the entire month.