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Contending with the heat and humidity on Boilermaker Sunday

By By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Jul 11, 2008 at 3:46 PM EST

Story Updated: Jul 11, 2008 at 4:10 PM EST

UTICA - In just two days time, 11,000 runners will hit the road. As if hills were not enough to contend with, runners might have another challenge to face. You can't see it, but can you feel it, humidity!

Runners who remember last year's 9.3 mile 'sauna' said that those 21 official water stations along the route really helped. We got some really good advice from Jim McKenna, who came from Georgia to run the race. He is used to training in severe heat and he says when the weather is your enemy, the biggest challenge is not to get caught up in the excitement of the race and let that adrenaline make you run faster than you should.

"If you start feeling overheated, slow down. When you feel good like when you're going through the golf course, pick it up, just balance. In Georgia where I run almost all the time in the summer, you simply match your pace to the temperature and humidity," said McKenna.

Race Director Jim Stasaitis' advice? Take lots of water, pure and simple.
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