Tips for Running in the Heat

I ran again the other day in the heat.  I waited until pretty late in the evening and although I started off on the road, I headed into the forest as soon as I could in order to beat the heat.  It was 7:00 p.m. and I was as hot as anything.  It was unbelievable.  I was able to get through my 14K run, but I was much slower than usual as I had to take many walking breaks.  This time I had brought quite a large bottle of water with me, but I drained it all by 9K and wished I had more.  I had even hydrated really well that day, I thought.  It didn't seem to be enough. 

So I was very happy to read this article in The Hamilton Spectator with some really good tips about ways to keep cool while running in the heat.  There were some things I hadn't thought about, such as having a cool shower prior to running, keeping your hair wet, and bringing a spray bottle to spray your face, neck and underarms in order to cool you down.  Another great idea was to freeze a water bottle before you go so you can roll it over your face and hands.  I love it!  I need to be able to train in this weather so now I feel like I can better handle the hot weather.  Bring it on, heat!  But be gentle.

http://www.thespec.com/living/healthfitness/article/752520--keeping-your-cool-in-the-heat

Worst. Pace. Ever. (Or: The Heat is not my Friend)

It felt like 35 degrees in Hamilton, Ontario today.  I waited until 5:00 p.m. to run, thinking that would be okay.  It wasn't.

I was running in the forest so I figured it wouldn't be so bad.  It was.

When I ran down some steep hills into the valley, I could feel tendrils of cool air but they quickly dissipated, and they weren't enough.

I don't know if it would have been a hard day anyway, or if it was solely the heat and humidity, but I felt like a complete train wreck.

It was soooo hot.  I thought longingly of running in the winter.  I wished for the smallest whisper of breeze, but nothing.  I would have given anything for a freezie.

At one point I thought of turning back, but I was determined to do the distance (about 13K) even if there was absolutely no speed involved whatsoever.  Which, if it's not already obvious, there wasn't.

I had many walking breaks.  I walked up even the smallest incline, because even those I considered 'hills' today.

I've heard that your body needs to adjust to things like altitude, so I'm thinking maybe it's the same for heat.  Hopefully my body will get better as the summer goes on.

Or I could start running at midnight!