Running in the Heat. And the Best Protein Shake Ever.

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How the hell did I ever survive triple sessions in the New Jersey August heat?  I specifically put off my run today until the evening hours to let the temperature cool down a bit.  At run time it was probably only flirting with 80 degrees here in South Kingstown, RI.  Nonetheless, this weather had me sweating like I was a righty at bat against Mariano Rivera.  And the run was only a little over 4 miles.  I think I left as many pounds of sweat in my t-shirt.  To make matters worse this was the second time I'd sweat through my shirt today as another day in the field trapping turtles in the mid-afternoon heat proved grueling.

Anyone who played football with me in High School knows I am a notorious cramper (ask Joey Schoch or Sean Hirrell about the post-Ponderosa Steakhouse episode).  Folks with Cystic Fibrosis lose salt in their sweat at a much greater rate than a normal person thereby making them more susceptible to the perils of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.  Hence cramps.  For this reason I have ample concern over attempting to run 26 miles with the only assemblage of muscles that I have.  What if its 80 degrees in NYC on November 3rd?  There wouldn't be enough Gatorade in all the delis in all the Boroughs!  

My only real plan to prevent cramping is to be vigilant about hydration before, during, and after runs.  Is there anything else you can do?  As my mileage begins to tick upward...8,10,12,15 miles...I'll have a much better idea about how my body will respond to prolonged water and salt loss.  Hopefully it won't be too dramatic.  Or too hot in NYC in November.  All this global warming stuff is hocus-pocus anyway, right?

And now (as promised) shifting gears...

Here is the recipe for the most delicious protein shake ever invented:

2 bananas

2-3 tablespoons peanut butter

2 cups milk

1 fat free (or fat...whatever) chocolate yogurt

1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips

ice for coldness to preference

Blend it up!!!

Drinks like a Butterfinger milkshake but its damn healthy.  About 30 grams of protein.  And very easy to get all your ingredients organic.  Now go get out and run so you have an excuse to make one. 

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