Is It Just Me?

I have this problem...okay, I'll be realistic.  I have only one problem which I've chosen to write about today.  Sweat!  Not too big of a problem from the onset, right?  After all, I'm running quite a bit, cycling some on the rollers and have even started lifting some weights.  The point is; I'm supposed to sweat.  True.  My problem is, I'm thinking I may sweat too much!

I think I've had this problem my whole life, but it really became more apparent during my first spin classes many years ago.  Now I know nearly everyone leaves a puddle during spin class; however, I left a puddle large enough that I had to shed the hand towel sized clean up device for a full size bath towel.  And that was when I parked the bike in front of the fan!  Even a friend I took to a class once, who incidentally thought I was exaggerating about the volume of sweat my body could produce, marveled at what he saw.  He still talks about that today...and this happened more than 10 years ago.

Jump to the present.  Last Sunday, I went out on my long run in the morning since we had plans in the afternoon.  When I left the house, it was about 18 degrees (F).  Knowing how my body operates, I dressed fairly thin given the conditions.  The plan is to start cold and warm up to a nice temperature for the remainder of the run.  Well, I was cold for about the first 1/4 mile.  By the  1/2 mile point - two drops of sweat ran down my forehead.  After completing my first mile, I was full on dripping sweat, wiping my forehead with my gloves, trying to keep my glasses clear enough to see where I was heading.

So, the run was to total 9 miles.  I ran on a path near home that took me 4.5 miles south and turned around for the 4.5 back home to the north.  Herein lies the issue.  I don't mind sweating so much in the summer.  I've come to terms that I was genetically predetermined to have this problem.  It's the sweating in the winter I don't enjoy.  As I reached my turnaround point, I quickly discovered that there was a stiff breeze coming out of the north, right into my face.  You don't have to be a meteorologist (although, I am) to know that a northerly wind in the Front Range of Colorado in winter means cold (or at least cooler) temperatures.  Anyway, as the breeze slammed me in my sweat-soaked shirt, pants, gloves, hat...everything, I thought I would freeze.  In fact, as Teresa can vouch for me, I had small ice crystals that had formed on my shoulders during my return home.  Of course, now my back was warming up quite nicely being protected from the wind by the front side.

I have yet to figure out a solution to this dilemma.  I have a warmer jacket which does provide more wind protection.  If I run in that garment I'd have to unzip it all the way to allow any airflow at all which significantly reduces the wind protection factor.  Leaving it zipped up would likely lead to 10 lb loss of water weight during a long run and dehydration.  I surmise, that maybe there is no solution, except to wait for warmer weather...of course famed weather forecaster Punxsutawny Phil has ruined that for me.  Stupid rodent meteorologist.

Thanks for reading.

- Brian