Thursday, August 11, 2016

Training in hot weather

While the temperature has been high previously this summer, the next few days promise to be the hottest and most humid of the season. With that in mind, here are some recommendations (taken from this link) that might be of assistance, plus a bonus piece of advice from me:
  1. If at all possible, run at the coolest time of day, which is usually just before sunrise.
  2. If at all possible, avoid running during the middle of the day which is usually the hottest time.
  3. Plan shady routes and/or routes with water fountains.
  4. Wear loose fitting, light-colored, tech clothing (i.e. not cotton) that wicks away sweat and dries quickly. Leave the tights and yoga pants in the closet.
  5. Consume adequate amounts of water and sports drink. "Adequate" in this case would be 4-6 ounces just before starting out, another 4-6 ounces for every 20-25 minutes or so of exercise, and 12+ ounces upon finishing. The longer the run, the more you'll want to drink afterward.
  6. Use sunscreen. Among the many reasons to avoid getting sunburned is that injured skin loses its ability to sweat, making cooling less efficient.
  7. Examine any medications you may be taking because some can increase your sensitivity to heat.
  8. Slow your run pace down to adjust for heat and humidity.
  9. Run by feel or perceived exertion level rather than pace. If a run feels hard, it is hard regardless of actual pace. 
  10. It's fine to use the treadmill for some runs when the weather is really bad. 

I would add to this list that cross training, especially aquajogging, is a good way to stay cool. Combining running with other forms of exercise, especially aquajogging, will allow you to get in more time training without overheating. Cross training isn't just for runners who are injured.



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