September 4, 1979 (Tuesday)

From running log:
Cross country practice, ran 7.5 miles total on roads, mostly at 7:30 pace but some a lot slower. Hot, hot, hot day with dry winds, over 90F. It was so hot, I just died out there. I had to walk some of it. That sucked. I felt exhausted, and almost threw up at one point. I need more rest. I have to not let the heat psyche me out so much.

30 years later:
Perhaps it's my northern-European blood lines, and perhaps it's partly psychological, but I have never handled heat very well. On more than one occasion during my teen years I had some kind of intense reaction to strenuous activity in the heat, ranging from severe muscle cramps through dizziness and headache to actually being physically ill. Clearly, I was prone to reactions along the heat exhaustion-heat stroke spectrum. Ugh.

It's also worth noting that my diet and hydration habits were probably not so great in 1979. I'm sure I ate too much junk food and didn't drink enough water. I just didn't really pay attention to those things. In the years hence, I've been able to run and race in some very hot, humid conditions and avoid these symptoms, so either I've out-grown it or I'm just better-prepared.

While it was hot, the autumn was definitely getting closer, and deep down I knew that when the air cooled, I'd run better. These long, hot days were the work necessary to be prepared for better weather and more racing. Despite the suffering, I was building the foundation for a successful season. We all were.