Running when it is hotter than balls

MisMolly
MisMolly Posts: 88 Member
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone have any tips or clever ways to get through your run when it is this hot? I don't want to forgo my runs, but I am already sweating like a *kitten* in church while I am only doing house and office type work. I stay insanely hydrated and try to run in the evening, but it doesn't seem to cool off til well after dark and I am not Ok with jogging on my unlit country roads after dark. Any ideas?
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Replies

  • hockeyman28
    hockeyman28 Posts: 136
    I got treadmill, but I know that isnt an option for everyone, and i prefer outside as well, so I will be interested to hear.
  • Nishka09
    Nishka09 Posts: 33
    I don't know how to deal with this either, I usually feel like puking after 1 mile. All that has helped me is to go real slow....
  • aLatz13
    aLatz13 Posts: 60 Member
    Have you considered running in the mornings? Not sure where you are - here it's almost 20 degrees cooler in the mornings, but we're up and running at 5 or 6 am. It helps if you have someone to get up with you, it makes it harder to hit the snooze button when you know someone is waiting on you
  • nukehiker
    nukehiker Posts: 457
    Woot Woot ! love the sweating like a *kitten* in church comment. happens to be my favorite quote !! as for running whens its so damm hot, maybe early am ?
  • Panda_Jack
    Panda_Jack Posts: 829 Member
    If you feel ok doing it... drive your route first and stash frozen water bottles along it, or small coolers with bandanas packed with ice.
    That way when you run your course you can grab those along the way.
  • jrich1
    jrich1 Posts: 2,408 Member
    Run inside :)
  • Hova1914
    Hova1914 Posts: 82 Member
    bump
  • Syreeta6
    Syreeta6 Posts: 377 Member
    lmbo
  • KatherineVictoria
    KatherineVictoria Posts: 68
    Just hydrate. It's really all you can do. constantly. It would be advisable to take a bottle of water on your run with you. And on insanely hot days I typically shorten my run and do a little more walking. You have to be very, very careful in these conditions.
  • skinnybearlyndsay
    skinnybearlyndsay Posts: 798 Member
    I don't run (yet), but I've been walking early in the mornings (think at the crack of dawn - a little dark, but you can see). It's been pretty cool, but this morning was like walking in soup. This morning compared to when I work out in the evenings, though, feels a thousand times cooler.
  • tawojcik
    tawojcik Posts: 67
    I have succumbed to the treadmill this week. Here in SC, the heat index has been 90 degrees or higher at 10 or 11 at night (and between 105-115 during the day) with about 75-80% humidity....the heat index drops to the mid 80's early in the morning with about 60% humidity, but still....
  • JPayne53
    JPayne53 Posts: 235 Member
    For safety reasons right now with the horrible heat wave over the country (some places worse than others depending where you are in the nation).. I'd recommend finding a treadmill, run indoors.. Is there a local gym you can attend? I've found some gyms also have an indoor track...It is definitely not the same experience as running out doors but at least you are still exercising and not killing yourself.
  • ukhennin
    ukhennin Posts: 221 Member
    I think staying hydrated is the most important part. I just read a really interesting article in runners world about different strategies to beat the heat. But most of them required things like ice vests. One thing they did was to down a slushie from 7-11 about 20 or 30 minutes before running. It sort of helps cool from the inside I guess. I'm not sure if I'd go that far though.
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    I live in Houston and it's been hot forever it seems. I make sure I get out there before 7am to run, sun rises here at 6:30 but I sometimes hit the snooze too many times to get out then! But I have also run in the evening and find that the morning is much cooler. I bring ice water with me and listen to my ipod and try NOT to think about how hot and humid it is.
  • joehempel
    joehempel Posts: 1,543 Member
    I just got back about 30 minutes ago from running 5.6 miles in 93 degree heat....that's at 8:30am. The heat index was something like 100 degrees.

    They key is just hydration and controlled breathing.

    I sweated like crazy...I love it though. If you can't do it, then take water with you. Next time I will do that. I went from a 10:15 mile to like a 14 minute mile in the last two because I was getting fatigued.

    I did manage an 11:40 mpm overall, so I was still pretty happy with that.
  • tawojcik
    tawojcik Posts: 67
    If you feel ok doing it... drive your route first and stash frozen water bottles along it, or small coolers with bandanas packed with ice.
    That way when you run your course you can grab those along the way.

    Love this idea, I do something similar....one "lap" around my neighborhood is a mile....so every mile, I am back at my house. I keep my ice cold drink in my mail box sometimes!
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
    I do intervals and always have water with me. P_J's idea is good if you can do it. I run on a trail, so I can't, but today I plan to keep my run short and sweet.
  • crazytxmom
    crazytxmom Posts: 166 Member
    I'm not sure where you are, but here in North Central Texas we've had 19 straight days of 100 degrees or more. It only gets down to the low- to mid-80s at night.

    I try to get out EARLY. The sun comes up around 6:30ish. It's still in the mid-80s then and somewhat comfortable for the next few hours. In the evening it's just beginning to cool off as the sun goes down.

    Best of luck! I'd wish for cooler weather for you, but it's not doing us any good either.
  • Nikstergirl
    Nikstergirl Posts: 1,549 Member
    Morning or evening, it's still been hotter than hades around here! I did 6 miles this morning. I brought my water belt, filled to the brim and drank all 32 ounces throughout the run. Also I just ran, didn't worry about pace, and kept a close eye on my HRM. It was pretty much maxed out the whole time, so I didn't push for pace or anything. Just wanted to finish, which I did. Took a while to cool down, but now that I'm home and cool and showered, I feel great! I wouldn't hesitate to add a few walk breaks too, just for recovery and water drinking. Not worth a heat stroke!!!! Going early in the day (or late) is better too since you don't have the super high sun... more shady and slightly, slightly cooler. The breeze my last mile felt amazing... but still hot!
  • fzyfrog
    fzyfrog Posts: 456 Member
    I would invest in a fuel belt. Freeze a couple of the bottles before hand and they'll melt to icey cold water as you run. Is there any shade you can also run in? I also run in evenings when it's hotter than balls because 1. I'm not a morning person and 2. Even though the temp might be lower, the humidity is usually about 20% higher in the am than in the pm. I'd rather run in hot and less humid than in air so thick you can cut it with a knife!

    Good luck!
  • kelzz193
    kelzz193 Posts: 120 Member
    Girl I totally hear you! I'm training for my first marathon & this weather just SUCKS! I have a treadmill to do my shorter runs, but I'm sorry there is no way to do long weekend runs on that damn thing. So here's what I do in the south carolina summer heat
    -If you can get outside before the sun comes up, I mean early like 5am (I wear a cheezy flashing red light & so does my running partner)
    -Drink at least 20 ounces of water before you head outside--You will sweat that out in 5 minutes
    -Eat a good bit of salt the day before longer runs to help retain fluid so you don't get dehydrated
    -Wrap a washcloth up with ice cubes and put it under a breathable hat, they melt as you heat up and cool you off a bit
    -slow down your pace, you just cannot go as fast in the heat & humidity--back off at least a minute/mile

    Other than that I've found you just have to do what you can do, congratulate yourself for even getting outside while everyone else is lounging on the couch in the air conditioning!!
  • just4peachy
    just4peachy Posts: 594 Member
    Run in the mornings, right as the sun is coming up. Make sure you wear something reflective (I wear an Army issued reflective belt like a pageant sash) and, if possible, a hydration belt/pack of some sort.
  • lmaharj
    lmaharj Posts: 82 Member
    I'mma start running at 3am - 4am. I was trying to run at night (like last night) but the hot wind did not cool me down what-so-ever. I woke up in the middle of the night last night and decided to try my hand at jogging at that time. It wasn't as bad.
  • unluckyIrish
    unluckyIrish Posts: 121 Member
    I agree with the early morning runs. It is not much cooler (at least not where I am) but there is a big difference when you are running between 85 and 95. Also, definitely take some H2O with you.
  • tawojcik
    tawojcik Posts: 67
    I just got back about 30 minutes ago from running 5.6 miles in 93 degree heat....that's at 8:30am. The heat index was something like 100 degrees.

    They key is just hydration and controlled breathing.

    I sweated like crazy...I love it though. If you can't do it, then take water with you. Next time I will do that. I went from a 10:15 mile to like a 14 minute mile in the last two because I was getting fatigued.

    I did manage an 11:40 mpm overall, so I was still pretty happy with that.

    As it has gotten hotter, I too have learned that controlled breathing is key. As odd as it may sound, I downloaded Marine Corps running cadences in order to regulate my breathing. It has worked wonderfully....just gotta be careful about singing out loud. The double time cadence is about 180 steps per minute which if you do the math puts you right at a 10 min mile give or take (and yes, I did the math...and math sucks).
  • MisMolly
    MisMolly Posts: 88 Member
    Yeah I actually prefer the AM just to have it done with, but my running buddy can only do PM :( I like the bandanas with ice idea.
  • skatw
    skatw Posts: 28
    I totally understand! I almost got really sick yesterday after mile 2! I'd much rather run in the rain than in the heat! I can stay out there far longer! One thing I noticed is that I do better when I start out slower and then gradually increase my speed over the next couple of miles. I am only up to running about 4 miles at a time, but if I start out slower and work myself up to it, I do way better in the end. I always make sure to carry water with me. Half of it doesn't even make it in my mouth, I use it to soak my clothes! I know a lot of people like to run in the morning, but it has always been easier for me to run in the evening. I think my muscles are just more warmed up! I can't wait for it to start getting cool again, but we have a few months before that starts happening where I live! If you find out any great mind blowing secrets, please let me know! Best of luck! :smile:
  • fitnessbugg
    fitnessbugg Posts: 141 Member
    I vote for inside, if you can. I personally am an a.m. runner, but with this heat I've just decided to scrap it and do other things inside. I know it's not preparing me for my half mara, but next week I'm sure the weather will be back to bearable. We all want a good workout, but is it worth just torturing yourself??? Also, you could just go out and walk.
  • lemonadem
    lemonadem Posts: 398 Member
    This is my dilemma this week too! I like running early evening, as I have to be at work so early already it makes mornings difficult. It's definitely not getting cool enough at night anymore :(

    Guess I'll give in and try the AM...
  • JMCade
    JMCade Posts: 389 Member
    I run early a.m. like 6:00 or so. It is much cooler and it is daylight then :)
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