The old cliche, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!” has really been true these last few days in Central Texas.

Earlier in the week the early morning outings were in a great cool temperature; but when you wake up and the temperature is already 80 degrees, with humidity close to being a sauna, it makes it tough even at an early hour. Later in the afternoon it is almost impossible to get in a decent run without slowing the pace down and taking frequent water stops for some good cold liquid refreshment.

A cool breeze really helps, as the moving wind aids in the evaporation of sweat, and that helps with keeping cool. The problem with wind is that you can’t always run against or into the wind. When you make a turn and the wind is at your back, the temperature really seems to climb.

Just take it easy in hot and humid weather and be safe. Take a lot of fluid, preferably cold water; wear clothes that wick moisture away from the body, and be sure and tell a friend where you will be running and an approximate time you expect to return. I used to think an experienced runner would not get in as much trouble as the beginner, but found out that no one is immune to hyperthermia (or, as some call it, heat exhaustion).

I received a flyer titled “Summit 40” the other day. Dr. Alan Brock, founder of the Austin based non-profit Fit2Endure, will make a 40-day, 896-mile charity run this summer to bring awareness to the national child obesity epidemic. Latest research compiled by the Mayo Clinic has shown that, in the past two decades, there has been a doubling of the number of overweight American children and a tripling of the number of overweight teenagers.

The National Center for Health Statistics has revealed that, in the U.S. alone, 15% of preschool children are obese (different from overweight), 19% of children 6 to 11 are obese and 17% of adolescents 12 to 19 are obese. Obesity increases the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal and pulmonary problems, as well as psychological disorders such as depression. The health care cost as well as the mortality rate associated with obesity, according to the Surgeon General, may exceed those associated with smoking.

Dr. Brock really knows what he is talking about. In November of 2001, at the age of 43, his life fell apart and he became depressed and lethargic. He turned to food for comfort. By October 2004, Alan weighed in at 287 pounds, or 109 pounds over his normal weight. Being a minister, he said a small voice told him, “Get up and run.” After four months he had lost enough weight to enter and finish a 5K run. By August 2005 he had returned to his original weight of 178 pounds, and he proudly finished the famous (or as some runners call it, “infamous”) Pikes Peak Marathon.

Several months later he started Fit2Endure, a fitness-training ministry. The non-profit organization serves the community by offering motivational tips on how to create a healthy lifestyle. Alan Brock’s desire is to help people “live alive.” He firmly believes that physical fitness directly impacts every facet of one’s life.

His adventure is to run from Austin to Pikes Peak, and then run the Pikes Peak Marathon. He wants to cover the distance in 40 days, and the route will take him through Abilene, Lubbock, Amarillo, and on into Colorado at Pueblo and Colorado Springs. He will begin his journey in Austin on July 11th and plans on running Pikes Peak on August 19th.

I understand that he is looking for some people to help his support crew. It is a paid job and mainly involves keeping him on the road and helping with the necessary items to complete his quest. If you are interested in this venture, check out www.Summit40.com. If you would like to contribute to this cause, it is a tax-deductible contribution and can be made at the same location.

For local runners who want to follow Dr. Brock’s program, there is still time to walk, jog or run the Firecracker 5K here in San Marcos on the evening of June 28. Entry forms are located at the San Marcos Activity Center.