The EPL is back. A-Rod is gone. Phelps, Ledecky, and Biles are golden. What a week it was, that week that was.
The Olympics really are, for lack of a better, more creative way of saying it — great; so many chances to see so many different and impressive fetes of world-class athleticism; daily opportunities to see history made in any number of events; close-ups of/to the raw human emotions and reactions of Olympic athletes in and to victory and defeat.
We've got one more week to enjoy this iteration of the Olympics. Then, a week or so of the true dog-days of summer's seemingly sport-event free period. Labor Day weekend. Then, the start of the NFL season.
Back off the road, I'm writing this one sitting right next to a window air conditioning unit. It's hot outside — oppressively so. If it weren't for sweating, I'd have a real concern for spontaneously combusting. Whew!
If you're a runner, be smart. Maybe more importantly so — if you're a coach, be smarter.
It's training camp and preseason time, not just for the NFL, but for fall sports at colleges, high schools, and for club teams too.
None of you are Bear Bryant, and (for better or worse) none of your kids have the toughness of Bryant's Junction Boys. Your kids need water breaks — especially in this heat.
I'm not sure if local high school football teams are still holding two- and three-a-days. But, if they are, they should be particularly attentive and cautious. (On a related note: Three-a-days for high school football?!?! Seriously?!?!)
Heat stroke is real, especially when the heat is this legit — when temperatures persist, stifle, and oppress like they have in recent weeks.
Blame it on the basketball player in me — no snow days, no rain delays, no sweltering heat/sun, at least in most instances. (Though, there is something to be said for the sweat you get from playing in an un-air conditioned gym in the summer.)
Stay hydrated.
Raise your hand, those weekend-warriors among you, who went for a long run or bike ride yesterday; who, couldn't shake the post-workout malaise; who found themselves seemingly paralyzed, lethargic, on the couch all day, and/or in bed early; and, who today, a day later, find themselves in a fog, unable to concentrate, wondering why and/or what's wrong.
It's the heat. It got you. Be smarter.
Heat stroke is no joke.
Hydrate.
Yes, watching the Olympics can be a bit like watching the training scenes in a "Rocky" movie. Combined with the timing of training camps (and maybe having seen less than flattering photos of yourself in a bathing suit during your recent trip to the beach) — many of you may have decided to embark on a January-like, overly ambitious training session or sessions this weekend. You may want to pump brakes.
Slow your roll. Hydrate.
Find a pool. Take up swimming as training, at least until the heat subsides.
Even an otherwise leisure-time/leisurely sport like golf can become physically taxing and/or feel like a chore when temperatures hit a hundred or more.
I'm not the best at avoiding sugar-laden foods, but I'm not the worst either. (Juice and/or smoothies are my vice more so than chocolate or sugar cereals.) But, during a recent outing on a golf course, I drank no fewer than four Gatorades, and followed them up with at least three jumbo sweet teas — my thirst likely unquenchable (for pre-diabetic reasons, but mostly) because of the 110-degree-plus heat indexed temperatures.
Despite the respite provided by the Olympics, these are the dog(ged) days of summer; locally, going hand-in-hand with (an) oppressive heat. Maybe, if the heatwave persists, you could swap your greens fees and/or road work for a day pass to a public pool (or get yourself invited to a friend's private one), or take your weekly foursome to the movies.
If not, if you're stubborn and insist on heading out in the heat — hydrate.
And, if you're one of those weekend warriors mentioned above, sitting at your desk feeling a lingering sense of lethargy, pull up online coverage of the Olympics on your computer and enjoy (and have an appreciation for) the spectacle, skill, and athleticism of world-class athletes because, before you know it, the Games will be over.
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