Runners

Joanna2012B
Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
edited December 2 in Fitness and Exercise
I am struggling to run in the heat. Does it get easier?
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Replies

  • mccokat
    mccokat Posts: 130 Member
    I haven't found that it does for me, but I've always sucked with heat. (I live in Canada for a reason) but I did start to go running in the morning or at night, since it's cooler then. The morning is the best, in my opinion.
  • Joanna2012B
    Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
    I am in Canada too!! I run at 5 or 6 am, still over heat
  • mccokat
    mccokat Posts: 130 Member
    edited May 2016
    Well, hats, loads of water, tree lined paths, throw yourself into a pool or cold shower after, all help me, but I haven't found the run itself to get any easier. I'm no expert though.
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    I definitely suffer in the heat too. I feel slower and it feels harder!

    I live in Virginia and it can get quite unbearable in the summer. I miss NY weather!

    I end up running indoors on the treadmill more often. Even running early morning it can be 85 degrees with high humidity! It's miserable running weather.
  • Bluepegasus
    Bluepegasus Posts: 333 Member
    I've always struggled running in the summer, I just don't run so well in the heat. I always run best in the winter, yet I hate winter!
  • pomegranatecloud
    pomegranatecloud Posts: 812 Member
    You adjust to it and it gets easier, but your pace will be slower and it still sucks.
  • Joanna2012B
    Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
    Thanks all its nice to know that I am not alone in my struggle!!!
  • Noelani1503
    Noelani1503 Posts: 378 Member
    Texas here. Ran today in 90 degrees and humidity. No decrease in suckage for me. I'm slower and my heart rate goes higher. Plus it's just not as enjoyable. You are not alone!
  • mommarnurse
    mommarnurse Posts: 515 Member
    Florida here - born and raised and I still loathe the summer months for this reason! I've noticed the hour before it is dark outside is the best time. But I'm only at the beginning of the summer.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Keep at it. Just be smart. When the weather cools off you'll notice your gains. I go from a 9-10min/mile pace in the cool weather to 13-15m/m in the heat.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Another Canadian here.....I'd rather run at -40 than in the oppressive heat and humidity we get here in Ottawa. My solution is to get out at 5AM too, you'll acclimate to it but the general rule of thumb is to slow down a bit, make sure you're well hydrated and pay attention to what you're body is telling you.

    I missed out on Race Weekend here in Ottawa due to an injury but I've hear that the medical tent was very busy this past weekend with the heat.
  • Rowood101
    Rowood101 Posts: 98 Member
    Interesting post. I've just started running and have my second 5K race coming up in less than 2 weeks. I'm hoping that it's not too hot (I also live in Canada). Encouraged by Elise4270 post that my pace time will improve.
  • crazydogladyjess
    crazydogladyjess Posts: 128 Member
    Nice to see so many fellow Canadians. I am in the Ottawa area and have also been struggling with this heat. I may have to give the 5am run times a try
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    i've heard people say it takes 2 weeks to adjust.
    just bring more water, slow down and if need be, take a shorter route
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I am in the south and the only way I can run is in the morning before the sun comes up and its still hot & humid. I did buy a bicycle for exercise after the sun comes up. I found that the breeze helps when riding but still need to go before mid morning.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    For everyone talking about how hard it is to run in the heat, are we talking about something subjective, i.e. how you feel, or something measurable like times/pace?

    Does it feel awful to run in the heat because you feel too hot, or does your body actually not respond well in the heat?
  • Noelani1503
    Noelani1503 Posts: 378 Member
    jacksonpt wrote: »
    For everyone talking about how hard it is to run in the heat, are we talking about something subjective, i.e. how you feel, or something measurable like times/pace?

    Does it feel awful to run in the heat because you feel too hot, or does your body actually not respond well in the heat?

    Both. It feels awful, and when it gets too hot (for me that's right about 90 degrees) my pace suffers.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    jacksonpt wrote: »
    For everyone talking about how hard it is to run in the heat, are we talking about something subjective, i.e. how you feel, or something measurable like times/pace?

    Does it feel awful to run in the heat because you feel too hot, or does your body actually not respond well in the heat?

    Performance actually does decrease in the heat as your body is using energy to try to cool itself as well as to run or whatever activity you're doing. Over time training in the heat will increase your plasma volume which helps cool you and your performance increases. There are other conditioning changes that occur from training in the heat as long as you don't push it so hard that you're actually harming yourself. I run in the heat on purpose for this reason. I keep my pace a little slower and drink more water when it gets hot but I feel that it makes a difference in my performance when the weather cools off again in the fall.
  • caitlinrn83
    caitlinrn83 Posts: 178 Member
    Alabama here. I ran this morning at 4:30 and i felt like I needed gills.

    12490823094727% humidity with already 75 degrees is brutal. I'm used to the heat because it doesn't ever really cool off here, but it's miserable.
  • hokiemom14
    hokiemom14 Posts: 105 Member
    I HATE the heat lol!!! I try to go early in the morning or evening. I live in NC so I feel like I run in the heat for about 6 months out of the year. I much prefer to layer on the winter running clothes. I struggle through as much as I can, but I'm already starting to countdown the days until October when it cools off lol.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I am struggling here in tx. It is 80-90% humidity and high 80s lately, and only getting hotter. I've found walk/jog intervals work well for me and doesn't slow my pace too much and can get 2-3 miles in after work. Maybe keep going and you can acclimate to the heat. At some point it does become dangerous, so be careful.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I live in Alabama. This morning at 5:15 a.m. it was 70 degrees and very high humidity.. dew point was through the roof. I have lived here all my life and it does not bother me nearly as bad as someone that lives in the North that might come here and run.

    I went out and ran two fast miles out of the a.c. and then it took its toll, but only because my core temperature did not have to do too much adjusting, I was trying to over compensate for how little I actually had to adjust. I have been running for two years and still each run is as much mental preparedness for when you go out in the elements in the summer time.

    If you mentally prepare before hand you can anticipate how you will feel and perform. You need to guage sleep and how well you ate the day before and hydrated up to your run (unless you eat before you run).

    You may need to change times for your run if this is an issue for you.

  • jesoverley
    jesoverley Posts: 25 Member
    I agree with all the posts about staying hydrated, listening to your body, etc. It is great mental training though. I have also found training in the summer for autumn marathons helps me train my mental fortitude, and when it cools down in the autumn, I suddenly can pick up more speed (which is pretty fun!).
  • dpwellman
    dpwellman Posts: 3,271 Member
    The best way to run in the heat easier is to run in the heat. :smile:

    Have to slow down of course, may even have to not go as far, but not running is never an option.

    I find it's much easier to do it in a group (running club) as everyone is in the same boat. Tomorrow's run projects to be in the upper 80s to low 90s (F).
  • TracyeS4
    TracyeS4 Posts: 746 Member
    Texas here. I prefer the heat to the cold, but I can only run after dark. It is way too hot during the day and I feel like my skin is going to slough off. I definitely feel heavy and gross during a run in the heat. It also slows me wayyyy down. It sounds like there could be some benefits to running in the heat, but I don't think that it is worth it. I love the summer, though, because that means I get to cross train in the beautiful San Marcos River!
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    DancingMoosie wrote: »
    I am struggling here in tx. It is 80-90% humidity and high 80s lately, and only getting hotter. I've found walk/jog intervals work well for me and doesn't slow my pace too much and can get 2-3 miles in after work. Maybe keep going and you can acclimate to the heat. At some point it does become dangerous, so be careful.

    Every day, all summer long in Texas. Generally it's 80 - 86 before sunrise and the humidity is about the same as the temperature. Just slow down and try to get as much done before sunrise as possible. I start adding in water breaks on longer runs when it's this hot too.
  • kimmcmahon28
    kimmcmahon28 Posts: 3 Member
    I live in Doha Qatar and have been running in the winter for a couple of years. This is the first year I have tried running outside in the summer and have surprised myself that I am able to. I do a slow jog with intervals of walking but have actually found that I feel hotter when I walk as there is a slight cooling wind when I run. It was 34 degrees Celsius during my last run which I think is 93 degrees! I do feel some health benefits from running in the heat as long as I don't overdo it and feel that it will definitely improve my time once the weather cools down.
  • Joanna2012B
    Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
    Wow thanks for the great response!!! I will never give up on running, I have a race that I am doing on July 1st! I do cycle and can cycle in the hot humid weather!! I ran this morning, our humidity broke last night and it was glorious...even though I wish it would be -10C (14F) for me in the morning and then turn hot in the afternoon :) I noticed my pace was awesome this morning. It was 10C(50F) this morning and that I could get used to!! I am also asthmatic and the humid weather is just torture on my poor lungs. Although, running in general has helped condition my lungs!!

    Happy running everyone!!!
  • RespectTheKitty
    RespectTheKitty Posts: 1,667 Member
    I tried my first run in the heat yesterday. It was about 88 degrees and full sun. Luckily the humidity wasn't terrible but that sun just murdered me. I tried my best, but wound up having to walk for about half of my route. That's the last time I run in the middle of the day. Evening runs are much easier.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I run much slower in summer, and I try to be out the door at dawn, before that fireball comes up over the Sierras (I'm in California's central valley, aka on the sun! :tongue: ). I've just come to terms with the fact that my pace will be slower and my distance less during the hot months.

    The only thing I really like about it is there's no guesswork on how to dress when it's hot, and getting to see the sunrise on each run. It's quiet, it's peaceful, usually just me and birds and the occasional rabbit.
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