Cooling down ideas?

[Knittingrunner]

I think summer has finally arrived and I am beginning to notice the heat! I know I could pour some of my water over me whilst running but by the time I need it I haven’t got much water left!!

So my question is does anyone use a cooling towel and if so how do you use them?

I really want to keep running during the summer and would rather not go out at night or very early if I can avoid it so any tips would be very much welcome. Thank you. 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

I live and run in Bahrain and it doesn’t get much hotter and humid although now in June I am forced to run indoors. I use a cooling towel wrapped around my neck and tucked under my running vest. I also take a sealed small plastic jar of water and when the towel dries up I dunk it back in on the run. On really hot days I soak my hair and my running vest too and wear a soaked bandana over my head to keep it cool and avoid the sun. It works up to a point. I don’t bother with a water bottle for drinking (unless I’m running 10k), I just take rehydration salts when I get back or an ion drink. I also take a tepid shower when I get in.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

I get hot very easily so running in this weather is taking its toll on me (and am training for a Sept HM 😱). I soak my running Buff in cold water and pop it in the freezer for half an hour before going out at the crack of dawn. I wear it on my neck and it really helps keep me cool! I also freeze and extra water bottle (a soft one) and pop that in the back of my running backpack. That is how much I hate being hot when running!

I go out super early on hot days but to be honest, makes little difference as it is often already 18-20 degrees at 6am in London! Eeeep.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

The hottest I’ve run in is 36. Not nice. Right now the temp is already 40. 🥵

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Eeeeek! 😱

[Knittingrunner Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Omg! I wouldn’t even want to walk far in that heat!

[Knittingrunner Graduate10]

Thank you Brianuk and Sadie-runs. That’s really helpful advice. I’m going to give those strategies a go. Thanks so much. I can’t imagine running in Bahrain! 🥵

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Dunk your whole head in water before you go out. This lowers your core temperature at least for a while. Rather than pouring water over all of you, try pouring it over your wrists only. This helps to keep you cool.

Also, don't bother buying one of those freezing towels. Simply put your own damp towel in the freezer and you'll have lovely iced heaven afterwards.

Also, run near trees as it's much cooler and try to keep to the shade where you can.

[Knittingrunner Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you. I have been trying to find trees but they are a bit sparse round here. But thanks for the tips.

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Knittingrunner]

I hate running in the heat and love the winter time so I've tried lots of things to keep cool!

[Knittingrunner Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

I love running in the winter too. So far it hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be but it is just beginning to get to me. And I really want to keep going through the summer so I’m ready for my first 10k race in October. So I have to find a solution. Going to give all these ideas a try to see what works for me. Thanks.