Trail Running: Summer

Summer running through the eyes of a slow, middle-aged, overweight Northern off road trail and moors runner.

Ahhhh summer is here! The sky is blue, the sun is blazing, everyone is happy!

Blazing by 8 o'clock in the fuckin morning! What's going on? It's never this warm here, ever. Its the North, you know 'it's grim oop norf!'.

It's actually too hot to run after 10am? I need to be up, out and done waayyy before midday or I'll set on actual fire. 

Blue skies

I guess that I could run in the evening, when it's much cooler...

How is it still this bloody hot at 6pm? How! Maybe I'll just start running at midnight. In the dark. 

Because it's so hot I need extra water. All the water. As much as I can physically carry. I'm like a bloody camel. I'll probably still run out! 

I'm going to need sunscreen. And if I'm going to be out a few hours, especially with the heat slowing me (or sensibly) I'm  slowing because of the heat, I'll need to re-apply it as I'll sweat it off, so I'll pop some in my pack (if I've room with all the water).

Urgh, you sweat more. Lots more. In places you didn't know you would. This can lead to chafe. Did I apply cream? Did I bring a second application? No...? Ooh, it's going to get sore!

I had to get some insect repellent. Especially as I'm more likely to be trotting over the moors! They're rife in the summer and they attack you (well they do me) relentlessly. Horsefly bites hurt like a muther fucker! Don't give them the satisfaction.

Running through water/streams (if there are some) can help . Cool your feet to bring down your core temperature. Splash your face, rub it on your arms! Roll in it if it helps! (Just bloody don't drink it).

Fuckity... as I've just splashed myself with water to cool down so I'll have to put on more sunscreen! Or buffs, they can become sleeves!

Buffs, useful for many things!

Why am I on the moors. In this heat... I'm on fire, actual fuckin fire. It's like the dessert. I'm dying.

Livestock will be out as it's the summer. Sheep are usually fine, cows however I don't think that there's a rule of thumb?. Slow down, don't make eye contact, sneak past. Maybe they'll be too hot for them to bother today

Conclusion. It's bloody hard work running for more than an hour when the earth is actually melting.

Afterthought. I'm definitely not conditioned to do the Marathon Du Sables or some other hot country event!


Like the desert

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