Running when hot.

[wbens]

Well, with the weather getting warmer out, my parents are worried about me running when it's hot out and get dehydrated or something like that. What are some good tips that you have? If I'm feeling weak/tired, is it ok to walk a little or stop for water?
Thanks

William

[maverick]

Just hydrate before you head out to run. If you feel weak or faint, definitely take a break or stop for the session. One run is not going to determine your fitness goals, so its better to play it safe and survive to run another day. You'll get used to it.

[Cort]

Ditto, lots of water. I run in Texas weather all the time during the summer, which is usually over 100 on any given day. I love it when people leave their sprinklers running near the sidewalk :

[wbens]

I thought that you didn't want to overload with water before doing cardio, or was that lifting. I supose I ought to wear shorts instead of sweats, but I hate shorts.

William

[Cort]

You aren't overhydrating yourself in this case, you are providing yourself with water that you will defenitely need while running in high temps.

[sooner_ed]

You need to be careful when running during the hottest part of the day. Get yourself used to it. You do not need to risk a heat injury.
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after running. Before a long training run (7+ miles), I drink up to a liter of water an hour and a half up to my run. If you're not used to the heat, run slowly. And it is very ok to stop and walk a while until you're acclimated to the heat. Never overdo it in the heat. Don't try for personal best times during the heat of the day. Running during the heat of the day is no problem as long as you know what you are doing and are very careful. Hydration before, during, and after is the key.

[wbens]

Do you think that if I run between 5 and 6 in the evening that it will be to hot? I live in Iowa. Obviously not as hot as Texas or other southern states. I take it shorts and a t-shirt are best to wear for running? I'm not a fan of shorts, but I can't think of anything that is light and is pants. As you can tell, I'm very "green" at all of this so please forgive me for all my dumb questions(check out my other post More Questions from a dumba#$ newbie???)

William

[Cort]

I just go in a t-shirt, tank, or shirtless with a pair of shorts. Remember the sun screen.

Other ideas are to run early in the morning or in the evening when it isn't as hot. I used to try to get out and run before 10 a.m. because it can get pretty bad past noon.

Keep a bottle of water somewhere that you pass by frequently in case you get too hot/thirsty.

[wbens]

I wish I could go that early but I work from 7:30am to 3:30pm. I am defintly not a morning person, thats why I always go at about 5:00. Gives me a chance to unwind a little from work before I go to run/workout.

William

[Your_Crazy]

Originally Posted by wbens

Do you think that if I run between 5 and 6 in the evening that it will be to hot? I live in Iowa. Obviously not as hot as Texas or other southern states.

This is a good question and something to be aware of. I have ran in all kinds of climates. From no humidity in Oklahoma to high humidity in Washington and close to you in Illinois(the "s" is silent". It makes a differance on how your body responds. Actually more of the awareness of your hydration. In Oklahoma I could run all day and not sweat but I knew I should be. In Washington I was sweating bullets. If I was to suggest a time in Iowa to run I would say morning, it's nice and crisp and you don't need to worry about the heat until later on. That and it gets your day going right away.

[lalareb05]

I'm in mississippi and it gets ridiculously hot and humid here. I've noticed that if i try to run in the afternoon (like between 2pm and 5pm) I have a LOT of trouble. But if i run after dinner at like 7:00 or 7:30 I have great runs. It's still pretty hot at 7:00 but the suns not beaming down on me. And I have to agree with Cort....I make it a point to slow down when i'm passing the sprinklers...haha! :

Ditto on the water thing...LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER!

[Titus]

Whenever I blade or run I always do it after 4:00 pm on a summer day just becaue the sun isn't as powerful at this time of the day. I also carry a water bottle with me. I don't think overloading on water will be a problem since you'll start sweating it off pretty soon.

[wbens]

Thanks for the advice. I honestly hate hot weather and am not looking foward to running in it, but I need my cardio. I'll just have to be cautious and lot of water. I take it stuff like Gatorade and Powerade are no no's?

William

[Cort]

If you are going for a long distance, gatorade and powerade are just fine.

[nate]

water is cheaper though