I am in Huntsville, AL. It get's real hot and humid. The biggest thing I do is get up real early before sun rise to run. I carry a 32 oz Gatorade with me on my long runs & my group plants water and gatorade on our course in a cooler hidden behind some bush or sign about every 5-6 miles.

It takes about 2 weeks to fully acclimate to the heat. So start slower than normal. Consider about 20-30 sec/mile slower for every 5 degrees that it is above 60 degrees F.

http://www.runnersworld.com/run-nonstop/running-in-the-heat

sthoma13 wrote: »

I'm going to wait and try some 5ks in the summer and see how I do - not going to sign up for that April half until I know what the weather is going to be- anything over 80 I think I will not survive. Haha

I live in Rochester, NY, so I don't experience what Texans would call real heat. I did run a half last July when the temperature was 82 at gun time, with 98% relative humidity. Through 8 miles I was on a pace for a PR, then I melted down. I finished, but it turned out to be my second slowest half. The only slower half was the one when I was coming back from a stress fracture of the metatarsals and deliberately holding back on the pace.

I believe my biggest problem with those conditions was that race day was the first summer day with weather like that, so I didn't have an opportunity to train in the conditions. Later last year, I ran a 12K in similar conditions and was fine; then again, in the 12K I kept telling myself that 8 miles would get me past the finish line.

It helps to train in whatever conditions you'll experience on race day. The weather won't always cooperate, but you do the best you can.

I don't really have anything to add to what others have already said, except my agreement, but I love to chime in on posts around running in hot weather, because I do it too. live in Central Queensland, Australia, and we have just sweltered through a really hot, humid summer. I also recommend early morning runs to beat the heat (getting out there by 5am). lt will still likely be between 24 and 26C, and it will still likely be very humid, but because the hot sun is not beating down it is much better than running in the afternoons. Take water, or make sure you can access water on your route. And, like others have already said, run slower; you don't want to kill yourself out there. And like @ddmom0811 said, when the weather cools off, you will be amazed how much faster you can run!

I'm in Oklahoma and usually run in the heat of the day (3-5pm) during the summer 90-100°. I just slow my pace, and make frequent water/electrolyte stops. My goals shift from pace and distance to time engaging my cardiovascular system. I do try to run at a park further away where there is a lot of shade and cold springs to jump in and cool off mid way. I also make stops to wet my hat/face.

They make ice vests. Not sure if that's an option for a pre-mid-post cooling option.

There's a few regular runners here that are out same time every day, 1130-1230, no matter the weather (barring thunder storms). I guess you somewhat acclimate after a few weeks.

@MobyCarp we lived in Delaware for a while. I thought the weather would be mild. I was so suprised- summer was stiffiling humid and hot, no where near the Texas/Oklahoma heat. But I bet that's how Houston is. New York is a beautiful state.