How I survived June 2008

With the change of seasons, it’s always usual to hear the normal complaints about the weather: “Oh, it’s never been this hot,” or “...rained so much” or “...been this dry.”

But June in North Texas was a real live never ever.... well hardly ever.

According to the National Weather Service (in a report by the Dallas Morning News), June 2008 was the hottest June in the Dallas Fort Worth area since 1980, and the fourth hottest June in DFW of all-time. The average high temperature last month was 96.7 degrees. (It was a scorching 99.5 in 1980).

As a runner, the mornings are what really matter. Its not 96 degrees at 6 a.m. But these June mornings ranked even higher, with an average low of 76.3 degrees, second highest low temperature for a DFW June of all-time.

And yet....

June 2008 was my fastest month ever.

I ran 20 times in June for a total of 120.88 miles.

Total time: 17 hours, 41 seconds

Pace: 8:26 minutes a mile. A 1-month PR for pace.

Average heart rate for the month: 81.5 percent of maximum.

Yearly stats at the halfway point:

Miles: 664

Time: 4 days, 1 hour, 17 minutes, 34 seconds

Pace: 8:46 minutes a mile

Average heart rate: 80 percent of maximum.