ECAT

I’ve always used the phrase “East Coast Altitude Training” to refer to running in hot, humid conditions, and a few weeks ago Andrew shortened it to the acronym, ECAT, which is the term we’ve used ever since. I’ve always said this jokingly, because once you go through a really hot and humid summer, the first race of the fall that happens to land on a nice, cool, crisp morning feels so good it’s almost like you suddenly get a boost in your fitness level just due to the weather. However, recently I’ve read that there actually is a physiological change that occurs from training in hot, humid conditions that does give you an advantage. Apparently it leads to an increase in blood plasma, among other things, that almost has the same effect as training in thin air at altitude.

The knowledge of such, however, has not been much comfort this week. While we’ve been drenched in rain to the point that it’s been ridiculous, we’ve been pretty lucky so far this summer in terms of the heat. I think I heard coming into this week that there had only been seven days so far this year where the temperature got into the 90’s. Summer arrived in full force this week though, and it’s been downright oppressive. Personally I’ve seemed to do ok for 5-6 miles each day, but anything past that gets progressively worse. It starts with everything I have on, including my shoes, getting soaked with sweat and then I proceed to wilt in the heat until I’m done and can get inside into some A/C. I’ve actually always considered myself to be a fairly good heat runner, but I don’t know if I’ve lost some of my ability to acclimate as I’ve gotten older or if I’m just not as fit and/or tough as I once was, but lately I’ve struggled anytime it gets really hot.

That said, workouts are pretty much out the window. I’m lucky to complete a hour of running, much less do any faster paced work inside of that hour. As a result, this week has been nothing but logging mileage, which has its merits, but isn’t exactly what I need or want to be doing. Sometimes you just have to play the hand you’re dealt, however, so that’s what I’m doing, and while I’m out there suffering and feeling like I’m about to roast, I just repeat the term ECAT and hope it will pay off on a nice fall morning later this year. Stay cool!