Day 25: Summer running hazzards

Bet you she isn't even sweating

 

The issues with winter running are probably well understood - the danger of running on slippery ice/snow, difficulty keeping warm and being seen in the dark etc etc. However, today I was thinking - summer has plenty of its own issues. Yes, it is nice to go running on a lovely sunny day with all the flowers etc out and looking pretty. But, there are loooads of stuff I hate about running in the summer.

Time for a list!!!! Haven't done a 'list-blog" this month and that just isn't right  :)

In order of most upsetting/annoying:

1. Flies  - I fucking hate them. And they seem to grow in number every year. They get everywhere, in your eyes, in your mouth, up your nose. Its horrible! Even worse if you are running on a nice warm day through any wooded area, which I was today
2. overgrown vegitation. Obviously an 'off-road' running issue. But what with having to wear vests/cropped tights, all limbs are at the mercy of nettles, thistles and any other spikey plants that attack on narrow tracks
3. The sun. Yes, I realise I just mentioned this in the 'pro' side of summer running, but if its too hot, there is issues of having to slather yourself in sun cream, having to squint unless you wear (decent) sunglasses, and the inevitable weird 'runner' tan lines i.e. where your socks/ cropped tights stop, so you get a block leg tan. I wear very high factor and still tan which totally distroys my running goth persona :(
4. Sweat - its hot so you sweat way more. It gets in your eyes and if, as I always do, you forget to wear sweat bands you only have the bottom of your vest to wipe it away, thus exposing your (never lovely and flat like in the marketing pics) belly.
5. mmmm, can't think of any more but I think the ones I have so far are suitably annoying...especially the flies!

So other than battling with the flies and overgrown attacking vegetation, I had a pretty good run today. Was good, as always, to escape the office.

Stats!
distance: 3.82miles
time:37mins40secs
nettle stings narrowly avoided: lots