For those of you out there who hit the pavement or treadmill for a run every now and then, do you have a magic mile number? You know, the number of miles you default to running that sort of feels like your running sweet spot?
My magic mile number is five. It’s long enough that I feel like it’s a challenge, but short enough that I know I can knock it out without feeling totally wiped at the end of the run.
This morning, after eating a hot bowl of crock pot apple cinnamon steel cut oats, I allowed my breakfast to digest for two hours while I worked before throwing on my running shoes around 8:30 a.m.
I leashed up Sadie and we set out to run five miles around our neighborhood.
Running at 8:30 a.m. may sound relatively early, but in Florida, in the middle of the summer, it’s stupid. And hot. Stupid hot.
At mile three, I thought about calling it a day, but there was something about hitting five miles that just called to me. It’s my magic mile number and I felt compelled to keep going even though I surely looked like death.
Sadie and I took quite a few walking breaks, but in the end we completed five miles.
When we arrived back home, I chugged water and refilled Sadie’s water dish, assuming she’d be as thirsty as I was after such a hot run. Not so. She stopped panting within five minutes of our arrival home while I proceeded to sweat in the shower, after the shower and as I got ready for the day. Three hours later, I was finally cool.
Thank goodness no one was at home with me when I was getting ready because whenever I try to blow dry my hair when I’m already sweating, I turn into a demon. Cranky and evil.
My dad is constantly cold, so my parents avoid using the air conditioner until it’s practically 100 degrees in their house, so whenever my mom, sister and I try to get ready at their house in St. Pete, we become the evil trio. Sweat ‘staches don’t make applying makeup very fun.
I had to get ready relatively quickly after my run because I had an appointment to meet up with a reporter from the local newspaper early this afternoon.
Before heading out, I made myself a quick chocolate peanut butter cup smoothie.
I needed fuel and that fuel had to be cold. A smoothie was perfect.
With a cold, creamy smoothie in my belly, I headed out to the Starbucks in downtown Ocala to talk with Ocala Star Banner reporter Rick Allen.
Since my day-to-day job includes a lot of freelance writing, I’m used to interviewing people, but rarely am I the one being interviewed. Last week I was contacted by the local newspaper and was interested to see what the reporter would ask me when the tables were turned.
Rick was interested in my freelance work with local clients, my blog and recipe development projects (specifically the salsas I created for Lipman) and we spent a good hour chatting away. I actually had a lot of questions for him about Ocala and his favorite restaurants in the area since he writes a lot about local cuisine. I am excited to venture out a bit and try some of his favorites, including Ipanema, a Brazilian steakhouse that apparently has the most amazing roasted pineapple in the world.
Once Rick and I were done with his interview, I unpacked my laptop and worked at Starbucks for a bit while enjoying a non-fat misto with vanilla syrup.
And a chocolate chunk cookie because my sweet tooth was raging after my run.
I hope your day is nice and cool and that you don’t turn into an overheated demon at some point like I did this morning!
Questions of the Afternoon
- Runners: What is your “magic mile” number?
- Everyone: Please tell me how much it sucks to try to get ready when you’re already sweating. Do you turn into a sweaty demon like me?
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My magic number mile seems to be around 4.5 lately, which I am not happy about. But this heat is just brutal and zapping all my running energy away too fast.
I get bad because my roots never get dry and then my hair is just nasty the rest of the day.
Lately mine has been five too! It changes depending on how big of a “running mode” I’m in
My Runners high starts at mile 7. I am in marathon training right now and once I get to the seventh mile I feel like superwoman lol.
Mile 7 is where I feel worked but not wore out the rest of the day, but durring marathons mile 8.5 is my “running” wall
I just started running regularly 2 months ago, but I would have to say around 3 miles or 30 mins is my number. I live in Texas & can relate 100%.
My magic mile number is 4! (Hopefully it will be longer in the future. :))
And yes, I DEF turn into a sweat demon. In the midst of summer hotness when I can’t bear to break out the hair dryer, I go for a scrunched look instead!
Sweating while applying makeup is the worst! I feel like my powder make a cakey gross mess.
On a side note Ipanema is AMAZING!! When I was in Gainesville we made a trip there and ate ourselves silly. It’s a definite special occasion place!
I turn into a scary sweaty monster and my make up never turns out right. Thats why I don’t put much make up on for Summer classes because even though we have air conditioning-it isn’t magic and its not going to make up for the fact that it is a 115 degrees outside.
My magic number is between 4 and 5…kind of depends on the day, but I agree that it is a challenging distance, and I feel accomplished at the end…as for the sweat while getting ready…that completely happened to me yesterday! I ran a 6 mile race in serious 99 degree weather (no joke!) and after laying at the pool all afternoon, when I finally went in to shower and get ready…there was no hope….sweaty upper lip and hairline just didn’t cooperate!
Oh my goodness, I thought I was the only one who turned evil while I’m getting ready and sweating haha! I ended up pulling my hair into a wet ponytail twice last week … which I NEVER do. I just had no desire to blow dry and straighten my mop!
I hate being hot, especially when I’m trying to get ready. Drying my hair (so glad I have short hair) & putting on a bra are the most annoying when I’m sweaty! I can’t imagine not running my AC all summer (especially in Florida!) – ours is set on 72 at all times.
My magic number is definitely 10km (6.2 miles). Depending on the day sometime its a lil’ less or more. The worse is getting ready when you are aldready sweating…make up slips right off, hair is unruly and don’t even get me started on trying to get dressed.
Hope you are feeling cool now
Enjoy the day:)
Oh I totally crave sweets after a sweaty run to!
weird.. you would think we would want to match the fitness with something healthy.. not the case.
My magic number is 5 as well.
4-5 miles is usually my happy running number too.
I think that you, your mom and your sister should get your dad a nice summer sweater. Then crank up the AC!!
Oh my gosh I HATE to wash my hair in the summer because I have to then blowdry it. I seriously sweat through the entire process…it is icky. I try to only wash my hair about 3-4 times a week because that is all I can stand. Yet I workout about 6 times during the week…you do the math. Yup…I am just that digusting. Ha!
My magic mile # is 10. If I run ten miles I feel “in shape”. Perfect distance!
OMG my bedroom is on the top floor. Hot shower, hot room, and hairdryer? Not a good thing
My magic number is 6 during the week and anywhere from 7+ on the weekends. I try to get in one long run on the weekend. New Orleans heat & humidity is brutal right now. I’m a fan of the air dry a little, followed by messy bun for a little bit then take it out & luckily I have the beach wavy look!
This may sound like a wimpy number but I’m no runner… 3. I don’t even have to look at my tracker to know I’m at 3 miles.. it’s like my body shuts down after that lol! and I am a TOTAL sweat demon when it’s hot and I try to get ready. It’s impossible.
When you said “stupid hot” all I could think of was the latest episode of The Bachelorette when Emily called Arie stupid hot when he got out of the race car! Intentional reference?
If I’m short on time I go for a quick 3 miles because I can maintain a speedy pace and be done in less time than it would take me to get to the gym. I prefer 5 miles, though, because it allows time to get into it without dragging on forever and ever.
totally feel you on the sweaty demon! 🙂 I grew up in Arizona and my parents were always ‘conservative’ with the air conditioning too. I laughed out loud at the thought of you, your mom and your sister getting ready with sweaty moustaches – oh man, have my sister and I been there! and blow drying your hair in the heat is the worst! hope you get some cooler weather your way soon. 🙂
I get so stickin’ hot in the summers. What I do is take a shower first thing when I get up so that my hair can air dry while I have breakfast etc. Then I blow dry and straighten my hair last thing. This way it’s already at least half wat dry before I start!
Getting ready when it’s hot out is the worst! I’ve been known to stand right in front of a fan while I put on my makeup, and yesterday I didn’t even care enough to dry my hair before going out! Dry shampoo is my BFF especially in the hot months, I’ll wash and dry my hair at night then just freshen it up with that during the day!
OH my gosh, i definitely turn into an angry wench when blow drying my hair when i am sweating! I thought it was only me! haha Loved that line! You cracked me up! 🙂
I so agree with the hate of getting ready when it is hot in the house! Everyone better look out! I am mean!
I am so over this heat and dry spell! I worked for 17 hours out in the 106 degree heat yesterday due to our city’s annual Fourth of July Fair. It was brutal!
I live in Houston so I can totally relate. Summer is the worst! I usually have to move our fan so that it is blasting on me as I get ready. My nose and upper lip area always sweat the worst, too. Haha.
That’s an impressive run for you AND Sadie in the heat and humidity! She is an athletic dog!
Cooper is done after a mile in Omaha, now! I can’t get enough smoothies in the summer–looks PB delish!
I HATE getting ready right after I work out because I usually sweat for a good hour after working out, especially is this hot and humid AL heat.
I dont really have a “magic mile” number because I still only run 2-3 miles. Working up slowly to a 5K again (for the thousandth time!). Although I always say mile one is the worst!
Sadie looks like a super happy girl in the first photo! 🙂
Five miles is my sweet spot, too.
What is a “misto”? I’ve heard mention of them a lot recently.
I think my magic mile number is 3 for short runs but 5 for “longer”. I can always bust out 3, but being that 5 miles usually takes me about 45 minutes, I default to that on cardio days.
I am totally on the same page as you. Being a sweaty beast the way it is, blow drying my hair after a workout, on a hot day, is a nightmare. It’s pretty much inevitable that I’ll be blow drying my hair naked all summer. Sweat staches are the worst!
Just want to thank you for an amazingly inspiring blog and let you know that you have got followers all the way from Sweden as well 🙂
My magic mile number is between 5-6 miles. Just enough time (give or take a few min) to watch an episode of something on my iPad if I’m on the treadmill!
I am so glad to read that there are others who turn into cranky hotties when getting ready. Sweating at any time is the worst. Here in southern Maryland we are having the worst hot humid weather right now, it’s baking us from the inside out!
My magic mile number is usually three, though lately it’s just been one. I’m hoping to up my minimum to five by the end of July, though.
My default summer hairstyle is a towel-dried messy bun because I can’t stand my hair dryer and straight iron. My hair is so thick that it takes a good 45 minutes to come out looking decent, so I say just roll with what will keep me cool during the day!
Right now my magic number is three. I’m having to run inside on the treadmill because it’s just silly hot and humid here. Sometimes that makes me more bored….and sometimes (if I’m streaming some great show on the ipad), it means I shoot for five or six miles 🙂
I got overheated today too. A 5 p.m. run in the South Florida sun is also stupid hot! I had my water, but a hat next time will hopefully shade me a tad more from the sun!
I so love when all the pieces of hair close to your hairline just keep getting sweaty as you dry and try to straighten them and then just stay frizzy….that’s totally the worst!!
My magic mile number right now is 3. I’ll have to wait until after the summer to increase it.
Getting ready when it’s hot is the worst! I keep a small fan in the bathroom to help with the heat & my husband makes fun of me for it. He doesn’t understand the challenges of having long hair.
I LOVE that you wrote about the getting ready and sweating thing. I live on the 3rd floor in an apartment building and am in constant battle with this issue. I live in a valley area so it gets HOT here (like 105 everyday in the summer hot). It drives me nuts that I’ll shower and then immediately be disgusting again.
When I was training, my magic mile number was about 2-3. Sometimes I’d feel great and do more, but I had a perfect little loop that was just about 2.5 that I loved for regular days!
I am so glad to hear I’m not the only one who turns into a you know what while trying to get dressed and super hot, by the time I’m done I feel like I need to take another shower and start over!
I enjoy running outside, right now my magic number is 3.5 miles but I’m slowly trying to work my way up to more as I’m getting faster. Your blog has motivated me and I enjoy reading your posts.
Super glad I came across this through thanks to Pinterest.
If I run in the morning, it has to be early like….6:00am or im just a sweaty sweaty mess. I usually like running about 7pm…
My magic number is 5 miles or 7 miles because around my park track, you can go around it three times and get in 5 miles, and 4 times you can get in 6.9miles.
I drink a big glass of ice water before I get ready, cools me down in the summer.
That cookie looks mouth watering.
I just got my wisdom teeth cut out, so I’m craving everything that isn’t applesauce and yogurt.
3 is my magic number. I run more occasionally, but I will never run less! I have 3-mile running paths mapped out in Athens, Ohio (where I go to school) and Dayton, Ohio (where my parents live). I’m a creature of habit!
I also turn into a demon when I need to get ready 1) while hot and 2) in a hurry. I turned satanic on my boyfriend this weekend while trying to get ready in time for a movie in a 98 degree room. Yikes!
I HATE being hot when getting ready! When I read your post, I was laughing because I also get cranky when I am sweating up a storm trying to put make up on! My husband makes fun of me because I take so long to get ready, but it’s mainly because I have to cool off after my shower before I can even think about drying and straightening my hair!
Magic Mile Number for me is currently 2.5…Pretty lame after seeing all these posts of 5-10 miles!! I am new to running and am slowly trying to increase as I get more in shape!
Magic number is a round 3 mile run. When I began running completing that 5k felt legitimate so now 3-3.1 is my comfy fall back especially if I’m not training for anything.
I feel you on the heat.. Tomorrow is our second 100 degree day in Ohio in the midst of a long stretch of humid, high nineties. Props o you for being brave to blow dry.. All summer its slap in some moose and hope for semi-acceptable waves/curls.
My magic running number is 4 miles. Far enough that it’s a challenge, but not far enough to be considered a long run (for me).
Definitely understanding the heat issues. Yesterday the humidity outside actually made it hard to breathe – and I’m in southwestern Ontario! Definitely feel for you Floridians.
I don’t have a magic mile number as I’m waiting to get cleared from the Doc to start running.
Yes. Being hot and trying to get ready in the morning is frustrating. I’ve often put a fan up on the counter blowing directly on my face while I get ready.
BTW You made me giggle so hard with this post I almost read the whole thing to my mom when she wondered what was so funny! 😉
My magic mile number is 5, too! Anything more than that is considered a “long run” and anything below that makes me feel like I need to do something else so I can say I’ve actually “worked out” for the day.
BTW, you should DEFINITELY try out Ipanema! We used to have one in Seattle, but it closed down a few months ago and that was the saddest time ever for me! Their steaks were pretty darn tasty, and my favorite side/dessert was the fried bananas; TOO. GOOD. 😀
I’m a 5-6 miler too. But honestly Julie I have a whole new respect for you and running in this heat. This summer has been out of control and I haven’t even let the thought cross my mind. The humidity gives boob sweat the second I step outside!
And I totally pictured the rage I would have getting ready in a hot house. Omg it would kill me.
I don’t currently have a magic number (yet) so I could say it’s about .2 miles? 🙂 I live in South Texas so during the summer if you even think about running at 8:30 you start sweating automatically.
I really like that running watch of yours. Where did you get it or what brand is it??