Marathon training is starting out HOT.

Very hot.

Sweltering.

There have been some extremely high temps and peek-a-boo tsunami-like rainfall these past two weeks. 

Mother Nature has been serving up her finest mood-swinging weather and that means scheduling runs has taken more effort. Let's break this down just a bit.

Original Plan: Evening runs.

Monday - 3 to 5 miles at River Park in Lincoln Square

Tuesday - track workout with Nike+ Run Club

Weather and/or life adjustment: Morning runs.

Monday morning - a little over 3 miles on the treadmill

Tuesday morning - speed work on the treadmill

Reason being? The past two Mondays, I've had to work later than planned and heavy rain forecast loomed over my plans. Plus, I'd probably be too exhausted to run. 

Tuesday evenings, I play beach volleyball with my Chicago Spartans. 

So, no excuses. Adjustments were made.

Wednesday nights, I switch gears. As a weekly pacer for the Nike+ Run Club, I help runners of all levels reach their goals by helping to maintain a specific speed per mile. Recently, I've been scheduled to pace between 8:30 and 9:30 miles per minute and I've been feeling the wind beneath my Nike Free running shoes.

I got my cross-training and some strength training in three days a week (more on this in a later post) at Crosstown Fitness or I use the Nike+ Training Club app. I usually schedule training every other day. Run Wednesday, train Thursday and so on. Making me feel ambitiously fit!

My first Saturday long run started out with me whimpering. It's the only day I get to sleep in and I'm trading it in for a 5 a.m. wake up call, yet again, to meet the crew for a early morning run. It's even more difficult, when you only get a few hours of sleep. In my case, an impromptu visit from a college friend made it a long night. Recites motto -- mind over matter.

It never gets easy but you'll be done by about 8:30 a.m and have the entire day ahead of you. Beachside naps, farmers market shopping, or brunch are all my kind of post-long run plans. I'll take just a splash of OJ, please.

Nonetheless, I've been sticking close to the official Bank of America Chicago Marathon Plan. Staying between 2 to 8 miles, running four to five days a week with rest days.

All this to say, I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead. Here are a few tips for you moving forward.

1. Always pack workout and running clothes. People may call you bag lady/man. But you'll be prepared for any shift the day throws at you.

2. Make checking the weather a priority. Even throughout the day. We all know how unpredictable the weather is in this city. You may have to run first and grocery shop last, rather than the other way around.

3. Traveling? I traveled to St. Louis over the past week and used my Nike+ Running app for a quick run. I didn't plan out the weather all that well. So I ran a little over 2 miles (originally planned for three) in 100-degree temps. Not fun at all. But the app was useful and I felt accomplished...and soaked.

4. Make sure to fit some kind of cross or strength workouts in your training plan. It's important. You need to build long-lasting muscle strength to get you through the finish line.

5. The Nike+ Training Club app is a great way to get 15 to 30 minute workouts in without a gym. Take advantage of this app, especially when traveling.

6. You will always be hungry. As a runner your metabolism picks up a ton. I pack sandwich bag snacks every day and take them everywhere with me. Everything from almonds to apples to cuties to bananas, etc.

7. Keep hydrated. I know, I'm preaching to the choir but it's important to reiterate. You'll over dehydrate quick. Since the weather is hot like it's mid July, already, keep that water handy. I drop slices of lemon and lime into my water, pretty much everyday. Sometimes I throw in mint, ginger, berries, or oranges.

8. Make a budget. You will probably want to buy everything you see because you feel like duhh...I need this. Running gear has a cool appeal and people say you should have it for a laundry list of reasons. But before you know it...you may end up short on funds for a shower gift or for brunch plans with friends. Currently, creating my budget now.