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Gloppy = Summer runs in New Orleans

I promise that I will actually contribute a more serious blog about running and the heat. However, sometimes I like to keep the mood light especially with running because even though it’s fun, it’s also a lot of hard work.

After a pretty miserable run in the heat today and the post-run sensation of just being very drippy from sweat, perspiration, and dumping water on my head, I got the vision in my head that I felt like the Candy Land character that was melting chocolate (apparently his name is Gloppy, a nice adjective to describe what summer runs can feel like). The picture of this character pretty much sums up just how I felt during the run- trudging along running through the thick, humid air (akin to molasses)- and after my run- drippy and with no end in sight to the drippiness. My running partner today joked that I am suffering from drug-induced cartoon hallucinations, but perhaps the exercise endorphins were just warped by the extreme heat and humidity.

It got me thinking about some of the other Candy Land features and characters:

Candy Land Board

Happy little runners (aka board pieces)

The actual board represents the complicated maze of trying to train through some fun and easy times as well as some rough, tough, and hard times. In addition, sometimes you have to go backwards when “playing the game of training” while other “players” (fellow runners and friends) simply skip and move ahead. However, we have all won a game or two of Candy Land, so we all know that the castle at the end is a possibility and is akin to our finish line or the accomplishment of a running goal.

Queen Frostine

Opposite of the extreme heat, I don’t want it be so cold that frost and icicles are forming in my hair or eyelashes, so Queen Frostine doesn’t represent the ideal running weather conditions either.

Mr. Mint

Mr. Mint is quite lean and is strong enough to carry that huge ax, so he’s definitely a model for working on weights and strength as a runner

Princess Lolly

Princess Lolly is so coordinated with her crown and her lollypop dress. She represents the running fashionista in me. I normally don’t over think running clothes or accessories, but since I spend a good deal in my running attire, I figure that I might as well have fun with the style and be color-coordinated!!! There is a good article, by the way, in last month’s Runner’s World about running skirts and fashion for women: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7120,s6-240-320–14026-0,00.html

Jolly

And last but not least, I aim to be happy, positive, and jolly on my runs and with my attitude about training. Running makes me happy and I find that it really brings out the joy in others.

Now you have some odd insights into what I think about sometimes during and after my runs I promise I will be writing a more informative blog this weekend based on training through the heat. For now…

Happy Running,

Lauren