What are you doing to cope with the heat?

[kevinspradlin]

Folks, it's hot outside, and whether you're a 2:25 marathon or a 2-hour 10Ker, you have had to deal with the heat, sun and humidity this past week.

So, how'd you do? What's your "magic trick" to coping with the elements?

Of course, you hydrate more - though that's by default, as most of us tend to dehydrate ourselves during the winter months with the assumption that we don't need as much H20.

Do you run in the early mornings or late evenings or nights? What are the advantages and disadvantages of either of those choices?

Are you placing water at various stops along a route of X miles or more, or carrying water with you on a regular basis?

Do you work harder to find tree-covered paths and trails so you can run in the shade?

[Justin]

Good post Kevin. I'd say it has heated up pretty quickly this year. This is my first summer here in 5-6 years, and I've been in Atlanta for that time, so I've had to adapt to the heat pretty well. What I've found is that it doesn't get really bad until the temperature is over your body temperature, but still anything over 85 is pretty warm. I prefer to run early in the morning when it is hot, and pretty much any other time too. Evening runs are ok, but it takes some time for it to cool off, so you tend to see higher temps then. I'm not real big on water during runs, except for runs longer than an hour. I do have one of those water bottles you can carry easily while running for long runs.

I've found the beginning of the summer is the hardest, it seems the body acclimates itself over a little bit of time. You definitely have to account for the temp when pacing your runs though, you just can't run as fast in tough conditions, but the work it what matters.

[frojoe23]

I recently bought some small 5 ounce water bottles. I've been carrying them on the real HOT runs if I'm going to be out for 90+ minutes. Things will probably change though, since this week will mark the switch to morning runs and any evening runs will be at 6PM, so it shouldn't be 100 degrees then...although, I do remember trying to put in 20 miles on a night last year when it was like 95 degrees - DISASTER!

Most of my runs will be at least partially shaded - most are out the Rail/Trail now. When I was still living in Cumberland, the mornings were great to run on the Canal, but with the recent tree clearing down to Wiley Ford - I don't see where there is any shade on the Canal until Riverside Park.

[wvrunner]

What was once my forte', has now turned into my worst enemy(the heat). I used to laugh at the guys I ran with when it got hot, how much they would sweat, how they would die during the runs, at one time it was something I tolerated well. I don't know if it is age, weight or what but I stink in the heat now. I'm the one that people laugh at and the person who dies.

What can you do? What Jaron and others have said. I run early or late, get off the pavement and head to the highlands or canal. The fellow cutting down the trees has taken the first 2 miles of the canal advantage away. I still feel it's 10-15 degrees cooler than the blacktop.

In the early 90's Steve Spence swore by some type of drink that helped your body absorb water (glycerol?). It was his claim to fame when he medaled at Worlds. Anyway good luck to all this summer.

[frojoe23]

I miss the runs those summer runs when you have to stay ahead of Dennis to avoid drowning in his sweat. Also miss the "squish, squish" with every step for 15-18 miles.