Running in the heat

M

midnight

Cathlete
I have a 5K coming up on Friday so I did 6 miles today in the heat and humidity. Not fun even though I took 2 water bottles with me. I think because spring came so late here (New England) I'm not yet acclimated to summer weather. I love to run and I hate it when I don't enjoy my workout. ix( I hope things get easier....


--Lois


"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning" - Mahatma Ghand
 
I loathe running in the heat. Especially heat AND humidity. I don't do very well, as it affects my breathing. I'd rather run in a blizzard:p

Good luck on your 5K!
 
Even though it's only a 5K, have you thought about running with Gatorade/water instead of plain water? I find that makes it a teensy bit better for me when it's hot.
 
An excellent idea that I hadn't thought of - Thanks!!

--Lois


"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning" - Mahatma Ghandi
 
Heat stroke surviver here.....

Beside drinking it is a good idea to wet your hair before the race, also try to run on the shaded part of the streets -- if there is any of course. Sometimes spectators use hoses for the runners, I always ran under them. Watch the shoes though!
Most of all, try to not aim for a time goal, it is very unlikely that you'll run a PR. Don't even bother taking your watch, just have fun! Mari
 
I never time myself and usually come in somewhere in the middle of the pack. My goal is always just to finish. I usually run with friends and we just gab through the whole thing. I guess I'm not what you call a "serious runner". I just like to run. I like your ideas about wetting my hair and running in the shade, which I tried to do today by zigzagging across the street when I could.

--Lois


"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning" - Mahatma Ghandi
 
Does the 5K start early in the morning? I frequently run races and usually they start before it's really hot outside. I recently ran a 10K that started at 9 and it was miserable. At least this one is a 5K so you won't have to suffer for long:)

Elaine
 
I can't run in the heat at all. I run all winter as long as the roads are ok. I don't mind the cold or wind, but the heat and humidity really get to me. The worst part for me is bugs - they get in my hair, crash into my face and end up in my mouth from breathing with my mouth open. I hate summer running!

Usually, I try to run no matter what, but it's just too hot this week and I'm going to be using my spinning bike instead.

Good luck with your 5K!!

Erica
 
I ran a 5K on Saturday and it was so hot and gross!

Take the water they hand you along the way. I like the idea about wetting your hair also. Bring sandals or flip flops to change into right afterwards. At the race I did, they had a fire truck spraying finishers with a VERY COLD hose and it felt good.

Good luck.
 
The race actually starts at 6:30 PM!! It has usually started to cool down a bit by that time but it will still be hot and humid no matter what. I'll just do upper body strength training tomorrow and no cardio or leg work and I won't be running until the evening on Friday so I should get a pretty good rest in before the race. I'm still debating whether to enter the local 4th of July 5K.......

--Lois


"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning" - Mahatma Ghandi
 
After reading these posts I'm realizing how spoiled I am.

I live on the California central coast where the temperature is rareley above the mid 70's and below mid 60's year around. (Michael Jackson's trial is in the next town south of here.)

To me running in the heat is when it's in the upper 80's.

I don't know if I'd be as an avid runner as I am now if I had to deal with REAL weather!

Elaine
 
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