Hot Weather and Walking/Running - How to Stay Motivated?

HomeatWDW

Summers are beastly hot in my part of the country. I got on track with walking and some running last fall and don't want to backslide now the the weather is heating up. I prefer to exercise outdoors and Pokemon Go is my motivator, so I'll be out really early or late when I can. I do have access to a dreadmill but that's my last resort. I'd love to hear strategies from others in the same situation. My plan so far:

-Wake up an hour early to walk/run outdoors (night is hard due to massive mosquitos)

-Tie virtual runs into walking DVDs. I have plenty by Leslie Sansone but it doesn't count for Pokemon Go which goes by GPS, not steps. I already do virtual races and am in two year long mileage challenges. I'm only gping to count indoor miles toward the virtual runs.

-Try out other exercise. I subscribe to Beachbody's unlimited streaming but haven't had time to do much but the morning and evening yoga. Summer seems like a good time to sample the programs and pick one to stick with.

-Regularly check in with my support groups. The two year long run/walk challenges have FB groups I can use as a touchstone. I have to keep a spreadsheet to my miles for the challenges and virtual runs and that also helps me stay accountable.

Any other suggestions are appreciated. I'm off to a great start and don't want to lose the momentum.

ruqayyahsmum

Light clothing options

I hike in a summer dress with fitted shorts under it

I use metal drinks bottles with cold drinks in them, stays icy cold for hours, i hike with my son on my back so use carabiners to attach them to the carrier straps

I go out early doors before the day heats up

And after alls said and done im just gonna be a hot sweaty mess and ill take a cool shower and hang about in my underwear in front of the fan for a while when i get home

TimothyFish

I look at the thermometer. As long as it is below 105 I exercise. If it is above I stay inside.

__TMac__

Trail running. Shady. Breezy. Much more pleasant.

spiriteagle99

I run outside as long as the feels like is below 90. I try to go slower, and just expect it to feel harder. Summer runs tend to be later in the day, so I can have more shade. For long runs, I'll go to the mountains or C&O Canal, which is shady. I have a hard time with heat, so if necessary I'll sit in the shade and cool off mid-run.

zdyb23456

For those that trail run in the summer, how do you deal with the bugs? I tried it once in the summer and got attacked by biting flies!

__TMac__

Run faster!

Just kidding. It's a problem I haven't solved yet.

HomeatWDW

Bugs are one of the problems here too, although I do have one nice, shady 5K trail that I can hit during the day without too many flying pests. The humidity is the worst of it, and the bugs are downright vicious at night, so I'm hoping to get in the habit of getting out before work most mornings.

zdyb23456

I'm going to try bug spray this summer, but I sweat so much in the heat I'm not sure how well it will work.