NatNews

With summer quickly approaching, two of Dallas’ well-known frenemies (or just straight-up enemies) have already made their way into the lives of metroplex residents: heat and humidity.

For the next week and beyond, temperatures are expected to get up to the mid-90s. Many local runners have already become victims of the infamous morning humidity the warmer days bring—as their hair and drenched clothing can attest to its obvious effects.

One critical component of surviving the heat is proper hydration. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, clinical studies have found that while athletes might understand how important it is to rehydrate, they don’t always know how to maintain hydration.

To ensure adequate hydration, individuals should be drinking water consistently throughout the day. The Harvard School of Public Health said that this means approximately 11 cups of water per day for the average woman and 16 for the average man. Doing so will help prevent further strain on the body later during workouts.

As the CDC reminds those who take part in strenuous outdoor activities, “by the time you feel thirsty, you are already behind in body fluid replacement.”

White Rock Running Co-op admin Julie Lanaux said that not only do runners need to drink plenty of fluids, but they also need to be willing to make adjustments in their training.

“Hydration is everything,” she said. “And learn to accept that, with the heat, your pace will suffer. You may have to adjust your training plan from training at marathon pace to something like MP plus 30 seconds or even a minute.” 

Though running through the hot summer months can feel defeating, Lanaux said that the benefits will eventually become obvious.

“Heat training is great for getting faster, but it’s humbling waiting to see the results,” she said. “First cool run, you’ll see the difference.”

Sometimes two people meet and date and fall in love and get married and live a beautiful life together. Other times, though, after dating someone for a little while, a person realizes that it’s time to call it quits on that relationship.

But telling someone that it’s over isn’t always as easy as one might think—especially when the other person is making it challenging.

“I’ve tried twice, but she keeps falling asleep,” one White Rock Running Co-op member who wishes to remain anonymous said. “It’s a tight rope to walk between hurting her feelings and waking her up.”

For some individuals, breaking up with people is a difficult task. Whether it’s because of fear of confrontation, hesitation to hurt the other person, cowardice, or a number of other reasons, telling someone it’s over isn’t always easy. It begs the question: What’s the best way to break up with someone? WRRC admin Jacky Bonilla thinks it should be done in person, especially if the two have been dating for quite some time.

“You’ve just got to rip the Band-Aid off,” she said. “And be honest and respectful. You owe the person the respect to do it in person because [he or she has] invested time in you.”

 Another WRRC member who opts to remain anonymous agrees that a breakup should be an in-person action, but this individual suggests that it needs to take place in a public setting.

“Once the water starts boiling, and you feel the temperature, it’s like ‘alright, bye. Check, please,’” he said. “Don’t ride together. You can talk, conversate, drop the bomb, and then leave.”

However, not everyone thinks that getting together to end a relationship is necessary. Another WRRC member who prefers to speak anonymously said that simply sending a text is a perfectly acceptable way to tell someone it’s over.

“I don’t want to see him again,” she said. “I’m out. I’m done. I don’t want any attachment. I’d just say, ‘Bye. It’s not gonna work. I’m moving on. Have a good life.’ If I’m breaking up with someone, I’m done.”

One psychotherapist in New York City, however, told online women’s magazine Glamour that she advises to make the split in a face-to-face conversation if you want to communicate with the other person how much you value him or her.

“[It] shows that you care for them and that you care for that relationship,” Rebecca Hendrix, licensed marriage and family therapist, said.

Regardless of how it’s done, there’s a general consensus among WRRC Saturday morning runners that when one person isn’t feeling it, the relationship needs to end.

“You absolutely need to sit down and have the conversation,” WRRC admin Kevin Roberts said. “Say ‘it’s not working, and I don’t see a future in this relationship.’”

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