It’s already 66 degrees and not even 8am yet. There has been a lot of talk this weekend about the weather. Whenever a big race is happening, weather is a major topic of conversation, but the weather in Boston today is making national news. I’m in NY and not in Boston, but from reading stories online, blog posts and my Twitter feed, I have a good feeling that if people were using the hashtag #BostonHeat or #HotBoston with every related tweet, that it would be a trending topic. There have been more than a few blog posts by runners that have at least mentioned a last minute switch in what they’re planning to wear on the course.
I first heard about the announcement that the B.A.A. would allow runners who choose not to run this year due to the heat a deferment for next year’s race through twitter and a link to this Boston.com story. The comments are pretty interesting – on all sides of the argument. My first thought was that if I was someone who didn’t make it in this year because it was full, and I was a person who could run in this heat, I’d be pretty upset. But I do think it’s the smart and right decision for B.A.A. to make. It’s dangerous. Last week it was in the 50’s in NYC, just a few hours south of Boston, and today it may hit 90 at the finish line. That’s just crazy. And we all know that runners are just a little bit crazy too. Especially when they’ve been training for months, and years in some cases, to run Boston. I can only imagine how heartbreaking it is for some runners. Running a marathon and trying to achieve specific goals is nerve wracking enough, then throw in temperatures that can seriously affect ones health? Geez.
I will be tracking the race as best I can online while at work today, and I pray that the runners are safe and mindful as they run through the streets of Boston. If I was faced with this, I doubt I’d drop out, but I do imagine I’d heed the advice of professionals and completely adjust my goals. I wonder if there are any runners who are deferring to next year. If there are, I hope no one feels any animosity towards them, or think they have any ounce of weakness in them because just as each runner has their own inspiring story, each runner’s situation is different. We don’t know every runners story and therefore shouldn’t judge anyone’s decision. To each their own. And I can’t imagine that choosing to defer could be the slightest bit easy. I hope everyone who toes the line today has a great race!
Just a random observation, Boston.com does a great job creating excitement for the race. Much better than The New York Times does for the New York Marathon. At least in my opinion.
- If you were running Boston, or any endurance race for that matter, and facing such extreme heat, how do you think you’d deal with it?
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Today’s workout -
- 40min elliptical
- 2x15 cable pull side twists
- 100 ab exercises
- 2x15 upright row
- 2x15 overhead tricep extension
- stretching
2 comments:
I've also been following this from afar. My first thought was, who hasn't run in 80 plus degree heat? I can't help but think of the option to defer is a built in disclaimer for those who will drop to the ground as if shot in the head. I seen people collapse out of nowhere in the heat, and it is bizaree, but this is a dangerous sport, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
By the way, I'm running my first NYCM in november.
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