There’s a certain amount of heat I feel right now due to the coming century and the fact that I’ve not ridden as much as I want, but that’s not the kind of heat I’m talking about. I’m talking about the heat outside with the humidity and the sun bearing down.

Last year during the century I suffered self-diagnosed heat stroke. It was so bad I was actually aphasic (in layman’s terms, I couldn’t talk) that night. By the morning, I was fine.

I need to avoid that this year. I did hydrate as usual, but I may have to figure out a way to hydrate even more. It was especially hot and humid last year and it didn’t rain at all during my ride–unlike previous years where I ended up drenched at some point or another. And yes, I did apply sunscreen, although I didn’t reapply as time went on.

My number one goal in doing this ride (like all long rides or runs) is finish; my second is to make it through without injury. I was lucky last year to not have any long lasting issues with the heat–I’ll have to do better this year.