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Friday, June 2, 2017

Beat The Heat

Hello and happy Friday! It's June, people! How did this happen already? Summer is definitely upon us here in the south, too. Our mild and cool May has disappeared and the temps are rising fast!


Modifying a workout or a run to beat the summer heat can be tricky, but I've compiled a list of several ways to do so!

#1 Run early


Is it fun to wake up before dawn on a Saturday morning to go for a run? No...but when the summer heat is upon us, it's necessary. Even though Saturday is my only day to "sleep in", I still love waking up early and going for a run. It's such a peaceful time of day and the sunrise never disappoints! 

#2 Modify your routes to include water stops


Personally, I haven't found a hydration belt that I like - there's just something about the sound of water sloshing around behind me that drives me bonkers. Instead, I've discovered several routes throughout my home town that include a water fountain or two. Now that my running group has disbanded, a few runners from our crew have also come together to put water and gatorade coolers around town on Saturday mornings (which will be nice during marathon training season)! 

 
#3 Replenish those electrolytes

Salt tablets, salt packets, gatorade/powerade - make sure you're replenishing those electrolytes that were lost during your workout. This is so important for recovery, too!

#4 Wear cooler clothing

Summer friendly clothing is a must - sweat wicking, tank tops, shorts, etc. Moisture wicking clothing will help your body cool down faster after a run on a hot summer day. Most importantly, don't forget the sunscreen!!

#5 Eat yummy summer foods


So this one is not a must, but it sure is fun! Who doesn't enjoy a nice, sweet, cool watermelon after a long hot run?! This goes for oranges, snoballs, grapes, cantaloupe, too...you get the picture!

Happy (cool) running!


What's your favorite way to beat the summer heat and maintain a workout schedule?

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18 comments:

  1. I must run early or it doesn't get done! Also, I carry a handheld, even though my regular route has water fountains all along it (I call them water stations). I do need to be better about the sunscreen though!

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    1. Yes exactly, if I don't run early, it doesn't happen! I've never tried a hand held - might look into that!

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  2. Wow, 100 degrees already?! Yikes! We haven't hit that level of HOT yet, but I know it's coming :(

    There are not nearly enough water fountains in my town but I really wish there were more!

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    1. The heat is so crazy! That's an old picture, so it hasn't reached 100° yet, but it's coming soon!

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  3. We have pretty much identical running conditions - I do all my runs early in the morning, too...it's even hotter in the evening! It's great that your old runners are still putting out water and Gatorade - for just a little extra effort, it sure makes a difference on those hot mornings!

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    1. It really does make a difference! I'm so grateful for them!!

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  4. Workout inside :) It's been so hot and humid here. August is going to suck haha

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    1. I despise working out inside, even though I own a treadmill! :)

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  5. I'm enjoying peach season right now, but I do love watermelon in the summer. It was always at cookouts when I was growing up, and I make sure to get it at the store... pre-sliced. I figured out how to slice a whole pineapple, but I haven't conquered a whole watermelon yet.

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    1. Yum! I forgot about peaches but those are delicious too!! :)

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  6. I find that during the summer I drink so much water that I have to have a belt with me on anything longer then 5 miles. I still needed it last summer when training for the Richmond Marathon and was with the training team who had many water stations set up. I wish there was a line of water bottles on my whole run and I can get a swig whenever I needed it and didn't need to carry my own. :)

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  7. I hate carrying a water bottle when I run so when i am doing a longer run in the summer I always make sure there are water fountains om my route.

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  8. Wow it is already so hot by you! Watermelon is definitely a must

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    1. It's not quite that hot yet (that's an old picture), but it's getting there!

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  9. I actually have gotten so used to running with a water bottle I feel weird when I don't have one! But when I am training for a half marathon or longer that 1 bottle isn't enough. I stock my mailbox with water, gels, and ice packs for those long runs and plan my loops to go past my mailbox a few times! I once forgot to take the stuff out after, the mailman must have gotten a laugh at that!

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    1. I do the same with my mailbox for my at home weekly runs! It's so convenient!

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