Hot Weather Running Tricks

JosephTree

Barefooters
Sep 7, 2010
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Near Valley Forge, PA
I just realised that I play several sorts of tricks to make my hotter weather runs work out better. Like this evening:
  • I waited until the sun is about setting before heading out. (cooler pavement, breezes, lower sunburn risk)
  • I wore a long sleeve, light weight tech shirt that I soaked in cool water just before I headed out. (it's like my own personal Air Conditioner, for the first mile or so, at least)
  • I kept my mouth closed as much as possible. (controls pace, maybe, and I'm pretty sure I don't feel as dehydrated as quickly if my mouth stays wet)
Anyone have other tricks up their sleeves?
 
White lines! I have routes that incorporate all the roads in my area with white lines for the really hot days. I also have a little creek that I go by, I'll stop and throw some cool water on myself if I feel the need.
 
Paying attention to the heat retention properties of different surfaces. White cement feels amazingly cool compared to darker asphalt at the same temperature, for instance. Also, trying to keep track of where there are shady paths, which can be hard around here.
 
Beginning the run before sunrise and getting home just before the sun gets too high. :)

Mmmmm...so I've heard. For myself, I'd much rather run late than early. Besides, you can meet the most interesting critters in the dark evening sometimes.
 
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Just run in the heat of the day and you'll adapt.

Training in hot weather has been shown to increase VO2max by up to 5 percent even in trained athletes. It increases your blood volume.

If it's too hot, dump water on your head.
What about training in cold weather? Does it have a similar effect?

Just as reference, when talking about cold weather, I'm mostly referencing temperatures below -15 C since it tends to get quite cold here in winter and it can go as low as -40 C.
 
I just realised that I play several sorts of tricks to make my hotter weather runs work out better. Like this evening:
  • I waited until the sun is about setting before heading out. (cooler pavement, breezes, lower sunburn risk)
  • I wore a long sleeve, light weight tech shirt that I soaked in cool water just before I headed out. (it's like my own personal Air Conditioner, for the first mile or so, at least)
  • I kept my mouth closed as much as possible. (controls pace, maybe, and I'm pretty sure I don't feel as dehydrated as quickly if my mouth stays wet)
Anyone have other tricks up their sleeves?
I think you just have to man up and put your big girl panties and run at noon like I do:p
 
Water



Water



Water




Haha, did I mention WATER lol



We can handle just about any heat if we stay REALLY hydrated....our bodies are made for it more than just about any other mammal, cept maybe a few desert specialist creatures.
 
I think you just have to man up and put your big girl panties and run at noon like I do:p


Yeah. Wouldn't my dermatologist just love that!

...besides, I don't think the world is ready to see me running in just panties at any time of day.
 
Do what they do in hot countries and cover up completely.
I personally wear a white long sleeved shirt and full length lightweight Ron Hill running pants, uv protected bandana and shades.
It's then just a case of relaxing and riding the shimmer. It's been hotter than Hawaii over here in the U.K recently, lovely.
 
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I think you just have to man up and put your big girl panties and run at noon like I do:p
Well look what the cat dragged in! Back from the Alpine and female bodybuilder forums I see. How's tricks Beijaflor?

Yesterday I burnt the outside of my left foot, along the arch, running north on the west side of the Mississippi River late afternoon along the hot asphalt pedestrian/bike path. Funny, it didn't burn when I stopped to walk. Musta been a combination of abrasion and heat. This morning it was OK on my morning run-commute.

I like Icebreaker's thin Merino wool t-shirts. They keep me cool and dry with no chaffing. Just rinse them out in the shower, along with my Brooks shorts (Brooks Men's 7" Rogue Runner III Shorts), and they're good to go the next day.

The rest is just adaptation and slower paces, although I like running fartleks towards the end of a run to really get the sweat gushing out. A nice cleansing without any fecal matter involved.
 
Well look what the cat dragged in! Back from the Alpine and female bodybuilder forums I see. How's tricks Beijaflor?

Yesterday I burnt the outside of my left foot, along the arch, running north on the west side of the Mississippi River late afternoon along the hot asphalt pedestrian/bike path. Funny, it didn't burn when I stopped to walk. Musta been a combination of abrasion and heat. This morning it was OK on my morning run-commute.

I like Icebreaker's thin Merino wool t-shirts. They keep me cool and dry with no chaffing. Just rinse them out in the shower, along with my Brooks shorts (Brooks Men's 7" Rogue Runner III Shorts), and they're good to go the next day.

The rest is just adaptation and slower paces, although I like running fartleks towards the end of a run to really get the sweat gushing out. A nice cleansing without any fecal matter involved.
Sorry for being absent for so long but I have hardly any free time to come over here but I am happy you missed me:happy:
I am going to let you know my secret but don't tell anyone, promise?
My first trick for heat adapting is to run in the hottest part of the day(I don't have a choice since I run on my lunch our) but my number one trick which I discover by accident is going to the sauna room.
The first time I went in I could only put my feet down on the hot floor for merely few seconds at the time, I ould say maybe five ten seconds the most but now I can have my feet on the floor for the full twenty mins that I am in there.
and in case you're are wondering, my running is coming along very well my weekend long runs are up on the 20+ miles and I need to tell you that I entered a 8k race on July 4th and I had a new PR:happy:
I know I am hijacking Joseph's tread but you know that's what I do best. Sorry Joe:angelic:
How do you know I was on the bodybuilding forums?

PS
I am going to ask TJ to change my screen name to Beijaflor.
 
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Sorry for being absent for so long but I have hardly any free time to come over here but I am happy you missed me:happy:
Forums are too big without you.
I am going to let you know my secret but don't tell anyone, promise?
My first trick for heat adapting is to run in the hottest part of the day(I don't have a choice since I run on my lunch our) but my number one trick which I discover by accident is going to the sauna room.
The first time I went in I could only put my feet down on the hot floor for merely few seconds at the time, I ould say maybe five ten seconds the most but now I can have my feet on the floor for the full twenty mins that I am in there.
Or just slowly adapt throughout the spring. My running's been sporadic until about a month ago, so I'm not used to the hot asphalt, but I'll be fully adapted by summer's end . . .
and in case you're are wondering, my running is coming along very well my weekend long runs are up on the 20+ miles and I need to tell you that I entered a 8k race on July 4th and I had a new PR:happy:.
Congrats! Now your comments will take up a whole page.

I was planning on a 20-mile run this summer out to Stillwater, on the St. Croix River, but the harsh winter got me off my game and now I'm slowly regaining my running fitness. Hopefully I'll be back up to half-marathonish distances for my long run sometime this fall
How do you know I was on the bodybuilding forums?

PS
I am going to ask TJ to change my screen name to Beijaflor.
It was your muscular prose.

Sounds good about the name change.

Apologies also to JT, but I think he likes hijacks deep down. I know I always consider it an honor and the mark of a good thread.
 
Just run in the heat of the day and you'll adapt.

Training in hot weather has been shown to increase VO2max by up to 5 percent even in trained athletes. It increases your blood volume.

If it's too hot, dump water on your head.

Yeah, it'll do that. It still kind of sucks to run in it.
 
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Forums are too big without you.



I was planning on a 20-mile run this summer out to Stillwater, on the St. Croix River, but the harsh winter got me off my game and now I'm slowly regaining my running fitness. Hopefully I'll be back up to half-marathonish distances for my long run sometime this fall

It was your muscular prose.

Sounds good about the name change.

Apologies also to JT, but I think he likes hijacks deep down. I know I always consider it an honor and the mark of a good thread.
How far are your runs so far? you know how it goes just be consistent in your runs and eventually you'll get there.
 
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How far are your runs so far? you know how it goes just be consistent in your runs and eventually you'll get there.
Keeping them between 4-7 miles, trying to build up pace before I rebuild distance. Yesterday's run started to feel easier, so yes, it's coming back. Just a matter of staying consistent, as we both know. I've also gotta get back to doing my run-commutes more consistently on my off-days, instead of taking the car. I think those really help keep the legs loose.

These days though, I'm really pushing the strength-training, especially the deadlifts and squats, so between that and recovering my running fitness, my legs are pretty much always sore, but in a good kinda way. The long-term program is to first focus on strength, then endurance, and then, finally, if I can muster the energy, stamina. But of course, all three fitness components are part of my weekly routine to some extent. It's just that I've become convinced lately that basic strength is the foundation of everything else.

Anyway, great to have you back, and apologies, once again, to JT.
 
These days though, I'm really pushing the strength-training, especially the deadlifts and squats, so between that and recovering my running fitness, my legs are pretty much always sore, but in a good kinda way. The long-term program is to first focus on strength, then endurance, and then, finally, if I can muster the energy, stamina. But of course, all three fitness components are part of my weekly routine to some extent. It's just that I've become convinced lately that basic strength is the foundation of everything else.

Anyway, great to have you back, and apologies, once again, to JT.
Sounds like a very heavy routine you have there. I do agree about strength been the foundation of everything else, I wish I had your discipline when it comes down to strength training, I just want to be running all the time.
4-7 miles is a decent distance especially if you're going fast on all your runs.
It's good to be here too!