Tag: running in humidity

Posted on

How to Make A Kidney-Friendly Summer Reset

Written July 16, 2025

Hello Dear Readers,

Another scorcher in Nashville. Since the end of last summer, I’ve been trying to outsmart the heat by waking up earlier and starting my runs before the sun fully clocks in. My wife’s been doing this from the get-go—she actually likes it. For her, that early run is like nature’s espresso shot. She has low blood pressure, so getting her heart pumping first thing in the morning helps set the rhythm for her day.

I, on the other hand, started my run at 7 a.m., thinking I was ahead of the heat. Nope. It was already warming up, and the rising temperature slowed me down halfway through my 5K. My wife had taken yesterday off to help me with extra chores, so today she was back at the office, while I was sweating it out solo.

Last June, I had a minor gout flare-up, which led to a check-up with my nephrologist. That’s when I got the disappointing news: my kidney function had slipped into stage 4. I’d held steady at stage 3 for so long that the sudden drop felt like a punch in the gut. But these things usually have a culprit, so my doctor and I retraced my steps.

Everything else checked out fine—heart rate, blood pressure, diet—all good. But then I admitted something: I’d been struggling to maintain my weight and had started leaning a little too hard on sugary comforts. Ice cream, specifically. Guilty.

Turns out, that was likely the culprit. So I made a switch—out with the ice cream, in with homemade yogurt and cantaloupe. The result? My weight stayed stable, and my kidneys got a break. With my doctor’s approval, I also upped my protein intake slightly, which has helped too.

Exercise remains a must. My doctor emphasized it again, especially after my rehab. But hydration is key—especially in a Nashville summer, where the humidity hugs you like a damp wool blanket. Changing my run time has made a world of difference. At 7 a.m., it’s still a bearable 73–74°F (23–24°C), though it climbs quickly once the sun kicks into high gear.

I’m counting the days until fall. Cooler mornings mean faster runs and less sweating just from tying my shoes. Honestly, summer running feels like training with a weighted vest—once autumn hits, I expect to feel lighter, quicker, and a whole lot happier out there.

Posted on

How I Beat the Humidity Boss and Logged My Second Fastest 10K

Written June 7, 2025

Hello Dear Readers,

This morning, I woke up feeling like a well-charged phone—ready to take on my first 10K of June. That enthusiasm lasted about thirty seconds… until my wife, aka the Morning Oracle, gave me a weather update: “It’s humid. Very humid.”

She’s always up at 5 a.m., doing her workout before the Nashville air turns into soup. I try to follow her lead, minus the pre-dawn drama—I have a bit more wiggle room in my schedule. (Perks of being flexible. Or at least pretending to be.)

But wow. Stepping outside felt like walking straight into a sauna hosted by the sun and a wet sponge. My wife, who once lived in Canada, still can’t get over Tennessee summers. She expected dry, crisp warmth—not a full-on oven door to the face every morning. Yet oddly enough, she loves living in Nashville. Go figure. Apparently, greenery and ultra-friendly neighbors make up for atmospheric soup.

And she’s not wrong. The people here are wonderfully nice. We’ve met most of them while running. Seriously—if you jog in our neighborhood, you’re basically signing up for a rotating social club on sneakers. Everyone’s out walking, running, or flexing their lawn-care game. It’s a charming vibe.

Despite the swampy conditions, I hit the pavement anyway. I’ve learned not to negotiate with my feelings in the morning. Motivation is a fair-weather friend—I prefer routines that don’t ask for permission. My wife says the same: “If I waited to feel like it, I’d never get anything done.” High-five to the discipline duo.

By the halfway point, I was just a second behind my target pace. But by the end? I actually clocked in two seconds faster. Take that, humidity boss! This run earned me my second fastest 10K ever, which, considering the weather, feels like unlocking a hidden achievement in a fitness video game.

The week overall? Not too shabby. I’ve been consistent with my workouts, though my upper body still feels the aftershocks of pushups and bicep curls. Sure, I’ll never win a protein shake endorsement deal (thank you, kidney-friendly diet), but I’m definitely stronger and happier than I was a few months ago.

So yes, today’s run may have felt like wading through a damp sponge, but victory tastes pretty sweet—even when it’s served with a side of sweat.

Posted on

A Runner’s Diary in Humid Nashville

Written July 24, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Lately, the weather has been nothing short of erratic. We’ve oscillated between intense heat waves driven by hurricanes and sudden thunderstorms, keeping me on my toes. Typically, I check the weather app to gauge when rain might interrupt my week—this is crucial for planning things like lawn mowing, where timing is everything. More often than not, the rain is predicted well in advance, so I make it a point to regularly consult my weather app.

Just yesterday, while reviewing the forecast for today, I saw that rain was expected during my usual running time. This left me in a quandary, debating whether to brave the rain for my run or postpone it until tomorrow. The decision was challenging, as skipping a run disrupts my routine.

Despite the ominous forecast for this morning, fate seemed to have other plans, and the anticipated rain did not come to pass. Instead, I was met with an alternative challenge: running in the extreme humidity that characterizes Nashville’s summers. Humid weather here feels more oppressive than a straightforward downpour. It can make the air feel ten degrees hotter, and breathing becomes akin to inhaling steam vapor—much like what you’d experience near a humidifier in the vegetable aisle of a grocery store.

Following my run, the weather remained dry, yet the air was dense, almost pressing against my skin. Morning temperatures are more forgiving than the scorching heat of the afternoon. I’ve made this discovery recently, and it’s a primary reason I’ve shifted my runs to earlier in the day. My wife has also taken to morning runs, likely for the same reasons.

Navigating these unpredictable weather patterns has become a part of our daily routine. While the unpredictability can be frustrating, adapting our schedules and finding small victories in the timing of our activities—like avoiding the peak afternoon heat—adds a layer of satisfaction to our day. 

It’s about making the best of what we’re dealt with, whether mowing the lawn in a brief dry spell or choosing the lesser evil of humidity over rain for a run. As we adjust and adapt, the weather remains an ever-present factor in our plans, a reminder of nature’s unpredictability.