There are about two months of the year (if we are lucky) in Washington in which we get fantastic weather. And by fantastic, I mean so warm you start to wish nudity was more widely accepted. It's the second week of July now, and we are finally in the midst of this heat. I have only trained in the winter and spring and I am really eager to get out there and pound that pavement again. I also don't want to die of heat stroke or just melt right into the road. This has actally kept me from running all week. I think I have gained 17 pounds in 4 days.
Anyway, I started researching a little bit to figure out how to run in the summer and not die. I have discovered the following tips:
1. Drink water. Lots of water. And not just before a long run. Drink all day everyday. Think of yourself as a sponge when the weather is hot and humid. You don't want to dry out and become all crusty and smelly, do you?
2. Electrolytes. From what I understand, if you are running in the heat, these are an important part of not dying. Gatorade, Powerade.. you know the drill.
3. Run early in the morning and late in the evening, when the temperature is cooler. This one just makes sense. Why would you really want to run at like 2 in the afternoon in 96 degree weather? You may be suicidal and you may need some counseling. That is just my professional opinion.
4. Show as much of your naked skin as you can, without offending someone or going to jail. Don't sacrifice being cool because you are self conscious about a body part. Who really cares? And always remember, cotton is rotten.
5. Wear your sunscreen! Unless you are gearing up for a lobster look-a-like competition, slap on some SPF 30. You would think this is common sense, but people love their tans (and apparently their wrinkly, prematurely aging skin). We also have enough to deal with with all of the chaffing. Can you imagine a chaffing sunburn? No thanks.
Well, this is all I have learned about running in the sun. I am going to test out my knowledge tonight. If anyone has any other tips to add, please feel free to do so!
Happy sweaty, sticky running!
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ReplyDeleteThe only kind of weather that I have ever run in has been hot. Of course, I only run early in the morning or at night...but I am greatly looking forward to the fall runs...we usually have at least 2 weeks of fall and one week of winter before its summer again (south Georgia), so I can't wait for that!
ReplyDeleteI signed up to run a half-marathon in October, so any training tips you have would be great! You are a big inspiration. :-)
www.iamabeginnerrunner.blogspot.com
Hi Jennifer! Here in the Seattle area, we pretty much only get mild weather with rain. That is great for runners..but not so good for everyone else. Whatever. lol. I am glad you signed up for the half! It's very exciting. My best advice if follow your training schedule as well as you can, don't hate on yourself if you miss a run, or have to walk a little bit, and don't let anything stand in your way. Trust yourself and your training and you will be awesome! Gooood luck! :)
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