Running in the heat...

alikat42

...sucks!

I've been running for about 2 months now. With the mild "winter" we had this year, that means I've been running in 45 - 70 ish weather. Today, it was 95 degrees and my run sucked! Instead of the 25 minutes that C25K planned (that I ran just fine on Monday) I managed 15 and had to walk the remainder.

Now, this is just the beginning for me. It will easily get to 105+ here throughout the summer. So, what can I do to better handle the heat?

PeachyPlum

I'm hoping to see some good advice here, as I'll soon face the same problem.

Stay hydrated
Carry water with you - you can drink it or pour it over your head
Try to run in the early morning
If you must run in the heat of the day, try to find a shady trail to run

AmyRhubarb

Can you run earlier in the day, to beat the heat? I live in a hot climate too, and we had 95º temps over the weekend. Even my early morning run zapped me more than usual. When summer really hits I plan to run as early as possible, right at sun-up on the hottest days.

There's a great topic with some good advice on running in the heat here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/512826-running-tip-hot-weather-running?error_user_id=6941661&error_username=AmyRhubarb&hl=running+tips

alikat42

Can you run earlier in the day, to beat the heat? I live in a hot climate too, and we had 95º temps over the weekend. Even my early morning run zapped me more than usual. When summer really hits I plan to run as early as possible, right at sun-up on the hottest days.

There's a great topic with some good advice on running in the heat here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/512826-running-tip-hot-weather-running?error_user_id=6941661&error_username=AmyRhubarb&hl=running+tips

Morning will be an option starting in June (when school lets out). Not until then, though, or I'd be out running at 4 am!

ktbia

I need to read that link. But I do know you should slow your pace down by at least a minute in the heat. It might be hard, but its worth it to get your miles in.

nwhitley

No real advice, but you can learn to acclimate yourself to it by slowly running in it and increasing the time. Make sure you are hydrated and try running mid day on the weekend. The more you do it, the easier it will get but don't expect to run the same pace.