If I run tonight, will you please flip on the A/C?

Most days in a Maine summer are idyllic.

But some feel like you've been locked in the cramped trunk of a Dodge Neon, wrapped in damp fleece and lit on fire.

You and I have had first-hand experience of those heavy sweating days recently. And while I appreciate the opportunity to get a real feel for the temperature in Hell, I'm ready to get back to the way summer should be.

It's a risky time of year for runners, too. I'd always thought that the crazies who run outside in January where the ones to be weary of. But this week I found myself throwing psychotropic drugs at runners on the Back Cove trail (from the cooled comfort of my air-conditioned car, of course).

Let's not ask questions about why I had so many psychotropic drugs at my disposal. Instead, let's work together to help as many of those maniacal runners as possible.

Luckily Mother Nature has turned the furnace down a few clicks and today wasn't nearly as frizz-inducing. But I'll still be feeling some discomfort during tonight's group run.

The discomfort will come in three forms: First, as exhausted panting. Second, as cramped calves. Third, as shame.

I still haven't run - not since my last posting, not since I got back from vacation, not since I ran the Back Cove in its entirety (remember those good times!) three weeks ago.

But nevermind that now. It's time to move on, get back in the saddle, or running shoes or whatever. This time last year I found myself in a similar predicament and I vowed to Kick July's arse [see: 'I'm sorry July, but I'm going to have to kill you']

So I say it again. July, it's time I tied you to a parking meter and slapped you around.