Ain't no party like a Boston Party

May 22nd: SFX-Gatwick-Boston

"Could you please remove your baseball hat and put it in the tray?" "I'm wearing a baseball hat?!?" I'm a mess :D 

Ugh, connecting flights suck, if no one gives you a heads up that you got a second security check and have to throw the overpriced bottle of water you just bought after the first security check into the bin during the second check. Otherwise, our stop at Gatwick was grand; all the ads for London sights, the Queen murals, Pret-A-Manger, Jack Wills, Boots, and Soap&Glory. Long live the Olde World. Brilliant thing actually, as I have missed London quite a bit these last couple months. Now this has been relieved a little as well. Also: really excited for Boston already.

Norwegian Air is bloody brilliant! The flight crew is extremely nice and went out of their way to accommodate  some of our wishes and there's this one steward who has cheekbones you could cut yourself on. Looking pretty sharp over there, despite the funny socks ;) Also the food...was amazing. Tasted real good and we got Belgian Chocolate Cake as a dessert. Plus, free coffee refills.

Also, we got the seats with the most leg space in da house (well, plane). Even if I'm slouching real bad, I can't reach the wall in front of me.

Okay, I can, with my tippy toes, but it's a stretch. Right now, I'm like an excited labrador retriever with a tennis ball in this plane with the entertainment centre and all. Only drawback: someone in the vicinity has smelly feet. :D 

3:22 hours to Boston. I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it! 

Boston Public Transport is incredibly funny, that is, if you're not tired out and totally fed up with travelling. ;) The carts seem like museum inventory and the stations are a mess compared to Berlin and London underground. On the other hand, it is supposedly the oldest of its kind, so...yeah. Interesting experience. And then we also ended up in a friggin' luxury hotel. I felt so out of place rolling into the lobby in my sweat pants :D

But yeah, we're here, tired, and prolly going to bed anytime soon. It looks pretty American over here. And the guy from room service just told me, I was wearing the wrong hat, it's the Boston RED Sox, the White Sox are from Chicago. Yeah, I know, but my other baseball hats are New York Yankees caps and that would be worse. He agreed :D 

Working out in the heat

Now, while it's great that we finally got great summer weather, the rising temperatures may be a problem for some. Especially as the quicksilver in Central Europe climbs up to almost 40°C, you might not be willing or feeling able to work out. 

Scientists in an University of Oregon study have found out that working out in the heat might help you achieve better results (they made a study with bikers driving in 110°F (approx. 42°C) heat over a 14 day period and found out that their performance improved more than the performance of a control group training in a room at 55°F. The bikers needed some time to acclimate, but after that they really got it on. 

Bikram yoga is another example of making use of heat during a workout. Your muscles give in easier to stretches making it is easier to get into poses that are hard to get into at normal room temperature. 

There are, however, a few things you should remember when working out in the heat:

1. Drink enough, but not too much.

This one is almost self-explanatory. Drink enough to stay hydrated to fend off dizziness, cramps etc., don't drink too much as this might lead to a loss of sodium within your body. Check the colour of your urine to see if you drank enough or too much, it should be a light colour, not clear but not strongly yellow either. 

2. Give your body time to acclimate and take breaks when necessary.

I had to learn this the hard way. My body really doesn't like the heat and even after getting used to it, it still doesn't react the same way it does in 15-20°C weather, which is my optimum. I get dizzy a lot and quickly, my chest starts to restrict. Take breaks if something feels off. Don't push through it if you're not sure what's going on. Normally it takes your body a few days to acclimate. Take baby steps. Start with a walk, not a run. See how you feel and if it's okay, then start running. 

3. Don't work out when the heat is at its worst. Keep to the shadows if possible (and remember sunscreen).

Self-explanatory, isn't it? You don't need a heat stroke. You really don't. 

I love morning workouts in the summer because it's already light out and at 5 am there's few people crossing your pass and you got the whole town to yourself. Or the beach. 

Me at the beach at 5:30 in the morning. I have this habit of running and ending my run there with a swim. It's cool.

4. Wear the right clothes.

Light-weight, breathing clothes, maybe special heat gear, maybe breathable cotton help your body's cooling system. And it feels nice to feel a light breeze on your skin now, doesn't it? 

5. Maybe go for a nice swim?

It doesn't always have to be running or jogging or weight lifting. Try some alternatives like going for a swim or doing a nice yoga, Tai Chi or Pilates workout that does not raise your heart rate as hard as e.g. a run. 

6. Always listen to your body!

This is imperative. Because your body knows when it has had enough. Your body gives you signs when it is time to stop. Tune in to your body and you'll know what's the deal and if you can go for another five minutes. 

7. Enjoy.

Don't forget to enjoy the heat, too. There's all this great, great stuff like ice cream, the feeling of the sun in your face or your skin in general, the light, the mood. It's summer, take it easy.